Global Catholicism: Profiles and Polarities

"A much-needed, in-depth snapshot of the Catholic Church in all continents.”—Massimo Faggioli, Villanova University

 “A concise overview of the prospects and problems for a global Catholicism today, with an engaging profile of how Pope Francis is addressing these issues. Highly recommended.”—Robert J. Schreiter, CPPS, Catholic Theological Union

“[An] honest portrayal of the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges facing Catholicism today. Rausch profiles every continent and offers a vision for the future that reflects Pope Francis’s call for the whole church to reach out to the ‘peripheries,’ and experience a deep, personal encounter with Jesus.”—Jill Raitt, professor emerita, University of Missouri

Global Catholicism critically examines and analyzes the emerging patterns and trends that point to a Church that is polycentric rather than European, one that is less privileged, with more comprehensive governance, an expanded ministry, a Church emphasizing dialogue with culture and other religions, and a more inclusive ecumenism.

Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, is Emeritus T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The author of numerous award-winning books, he has served on several ecumenical dialogues, is the co-chair of Theological Commission for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and was advisor to the Jesuit Superior General Adolfo Nicolás on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations from 2010 to 2015.