With 1 billion Catholics on the planet -- and fifty seven million within the usa by myself -- Catholicism is the world's such a lot usual faith. but many points of this diverse and dynamic culture stay unknown or poorly understood. Now The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism deals a one-volume entire and authoritative consultant to the folks, doctrines, heritage, worship, paintings, spirituality, literature, theological advancements, and alterations that experience formed the Church over approximately millennia.
Led via basic editor Richard P. McBrien, bestselling writer of Catholicism, an article crew drawn nearly totally from the collage of Notre Dame has accrued greater than 4,200 entries written through 280 best specialists from world wide and around the theological spectrum, together with Benedict Ashley, Gerald O'Collins, Sandra B. Schneiders, Hans Küng, Walter H. Principe, Elizabeth Johnson, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Virgilio Elizondo, Catherine Mowry LaCugna, Robert F. Taft, Peter Hebblethwaite, Dermot A. Lane, Francis A. Sullivan, Robert F. Trisco, and John Strynkowski. A concise reference for figuring out Catholic phrases equivalent to vigil light and maniple, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism additionally bargains terrific feature-length entries on matters starting from the seven sacraments, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter, Paul, Augustine, and Aquinas to prayer and Christian spirituality, Catholicism within the usa, girls within the Church, and Vatican II.
Treating Catholicism as a special culture, neighborhood, and lifestyle, the encyclopedia defines and describes issues akin to japanese Catholicism, canon legislations, devotions, non secular orders and lay businesses, and saints, angels, and archangels. additionally integrated are tables of the liturgical calendar, ecumenical councils, and an inventory of the entire popes, whole with a quick biography of each.
A handy and trustworthy resource of knowledge concerning each element of Catholicism, earlier and current, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism covers the debate and dissent in the Church in addition to its teachings and ideology, supplying a balanced and unheard of source for a person looking a deeper realizing of Catholic life.