More than a few Catholics who find themselves questioning their church conclude that there are only two options open to them: follow official Catholic teachings in all respects or leave the church. Ryan takes a different tack. She argues people can embrace Catholicism as a way of life without necessarily accepting official church teachings on issues such as artificial contraception, the ordination of women to the priesthood, divorce and homosexuality. Ryan uses personal anecdotes, offering insights into her own struggle to be a practicing member of a church she loves in a changing world where many of the church's dogmas fail to speak to social issues. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Ryan, a professor of religion at Fordham University, recognizes and articulates the difficulty many contemporary Catholics have in reconciling the roots and traditions of their faith with the realities of modern secular society. Posing the questions of what makes a good Catholic and what one has to do and believe to be a practicing Catholic, the author reviews church teachings in proper historical context and urges a more personalist approach to the more divisive issues confronting Catholics today. Citing a healthy tradition of dissent within the historical Catholic Church, she also argues that by faithfully exercising reason and conscience, you can consider yourself a good Catholic without embracing everything the church teaches. Individual chapters offer thoughtful and enlightening examinations of a host of sensitive and controversial issues, including birth control, celibacy for priests, the exclusion of women from the priesthood, annulment, and homosexuality. Although many traditional Catholics will refuse to entertain the possibility of reasoned dissent, others will welcome this refreshingly honest attempt to build a bridge between old-world Catholicism and contemporary culture. (Reviewed April 15, 1998)0805046631Margaret Flanagan

Contentious issues such as papal infallibility, celibacy and women in the priesthood, birth control, divorce, and homosexuality have increasingly challenged the Catholic Church. Ryan, a practicing Catholic and religion professor at Fordham University, looks at the historical background behind the most troublesome teachings of the Catholic faith, calling for dialog and change if the Church is to survive and grow. While Ryan clearly articulates the sense of alienation felt by many in the Catholic community, she never loses sight of the positive elements that anchor believers to their faith. A careful and insightful analysis of controversial issues concerning Catholics today; highly recommended. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.