
Good Catholics
The Battle over Abortion in the Catholic Church
Patricia Miller(Author)
University of California Press
1st Edition
Published on 20. May 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
344 pages
978-0-520-28753-2 (ISBN)
Description
Good Catholics tells the story of the remarkable individuals who have engaged in a nearly fifty-year struggle to assert the moral legitimacy of a pro-choice position in the Catholic Church, as well as the concurrent efforts of the Catholic hierarchy to suppress abortion dissent and to translate Catholic doctrine on sexuality into law. Miller recounts a dramatic but largely untold history of protest and persecution, which demonstrates the profound and surprising influence that the conflict over abortion in the Catholic Church has had not only on the church but also on the very fabric of US politics. Good Catholics addresses many of today's hot-button questions about the separation of church and state, including what concessions society should make in public policy to matters of religious doctrine, such as the Catholic ban on contraception. Good Catholics is a Gold Medalist (Women's Issues) in the 2015 IPPY awards, an award presented by the Independent Publishers Book Association to recognize excellence in independent book publishing.
Reviews / Votes
"For anyone looking around in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent Hobby Lobby decision and asking, 'How did we get here?' [Good Catholics] provides your answer--and then some... An excellent primer on the dynamic issue of religion in reproductive health issues in the US." -- Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Conscience "Anyone interested in discovering how and why the abortion issue is so inextricably tied up with Catholicism will be fascinated by this important work." Publishers Weekly "The book will likely give off sparks. But if these sparks inspire people to study this potent moral question in an informed manner, it will have done a service to those on both sides of the divide -- and Miller's book is a good place to begin that study." National Catholic Reporter "While evangelical Christians ultimately brought down the contraception mandate, [Miller shows] they had big help from Catholics." Salon "Lends a voice to Catholics who support abortion rights, giving legitimacy to a group that is often overlooked in the abortion debate." Ms. Magazine "A page-turning thriller filled with courageous individuals." -- Lousewies van der Laan, Vice President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Conscience "Patricia Miller's excellent new book deals primarily with the top-down leadership of the Vatican and the bishops, who, it should be very clear, do not represent the views of most Catholics but are able to spook many politicians into thinking otherwise... Five stars." Free Inquiry "A serious study instead of what could have been a partisan puff piece." -- Mary E. Hunt Women's Review of Books "Thoroughly researched." -- Jim Hinch The Los Angeles Review of BooksMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
13 b-w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-520-28753-2 (9780520287532)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2014
1st Edition
University of California Press
€28.99
Available for download
Person
Patricia Miller is a Washington, D.C.--based journalist and editor who has written extensively about the intersection of politics, sex, and religion. She was the editor of Conscience magazine, the leading journal of pro-choice Catholic thought, and was the editor in chief of the daily health care briefings for National Journal.
Content
Acknowledgments Introduction: The Virgin, the Saint, and the Nun Part I: The History of an Idea 1. The Four Wise Women 2. The Dread Secret 3. Pope Patricia 4. Coming of Age 5. The Cardinal of Choice Part II: The Bishops' Lobby 6. The Bishops' Lobby 7. Showdown at Cairo 8. Matters of Conscience 9. Playing Politics 10. Health Care and Politics Redux Epilogue: The Philippines Notes Bibliography Index