Doctrinal language on sexual and gender ethical issues continues to cause pain and trauma among Catholic faithful. Relying on the sources of ethical knowledge (tradition, scripture, reason, and experience), Todd Salzman and Michael Lawler propose revisions to the anthropology, ecclesiology, and ethical methodology supporting those doctrines to move the Church forward and to realize the synodal ecclesiology and "new pastoral methods" of Pope Francis, as exemplified in his apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia.

"This work is precisely highlighting how harm to the People of God is a sure sign of problematic teachings. The teachings are not conceptual connections with other teachings; they are Christian truths as life guides for Christian agents, dare we say, disciples and, our authors argue, that such harm to the agents challenges the truth claims of the instructions. We ethicists believe that we must find the truth, and in part that means naming not only what is lacking, but what was not virtuously expressed. In this work, Lawler and Salzman offer their insights into the ongoing discourse to find virtuous pathways for contemporary Christians on the way of the Lord."
—From the foreword by James F. Keenan, SJ, Canisius Professor, Boston College

Todd A. Salzman is Amelia and Emil Graff Chair Professor of Catholic Theology at Creighton University. He has published thirteen books and over one hundred fifty scholarly articles. Michael G. Lawler is Amelia and Emil Graff Chair Professor Emeritus of Catholic Theology at Creighton University. He has published twenty-eight books and over two hundred scholarly articles. In addition to their individual work, they have collaborated on numerous publications.
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