November 6 issue, now online
Commonweal is celebrating its 85th birthday this year, and our anniversary issue is on its way to subscribers now. Here’s what you all can read online:
- J. Peter Nixon’s critique of the way the principle of “subsidiarity” has been abused in the debate over health-care reform: “When Bigger Is Better“
- Patrick Jordan’s review of John Allen’s new book, The Future Church: “Cloudy Crystal Ball“
- A reflection from the editors on the state of the union, and Commonweal‘s role: “Our Times“
Those of you who are not subscribers will want to fix that right away, because there’s lots more good stuff in this issue. For example: a defense of the independent press by John Wilkins, former editor of the London Tablet. A roundtable discussion with Peter and Peggy Steinfels and the current editors about Commonweal‘s past and its future. A piece by Paul Baumann on the challenges of editing the magazine, and identifying the church’s role in the larger culture, today. Cathleen Kaveny’s column on the problems with analyzing health care through the logic of insurance. William Cavanaugh’s short essay on the common good and the economy. Letters in response to “Sister X.”
Plus, reviews: Richard Alleva on the film The Informant!; David Castronovo on Morris Dickstein’s Dancing in the Dark; Rodney Clapp on Greg Garrett’s We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2; Brad S. Gregory on Eamon Duffy’s Fires of Faith; Richard A. Rosengarten on Theordore Ziolkowski’s Modes of Faith.
And, to wrap things up, Sidney Callahan reflects on finding a letter sent long ago from Dorothy Day. Not a bad lineup, if I do say so myself. No wonder we’ve been around for 85 years! With your support, we’ll make it to 100 and beyond. (Have I mentioned that Commonweal makes a great gift?)
Solid review of Allen’s book by Patrick Jordan. I thought he put Allen in his place nicely. As many do, Allen sees the global South as the dynamic future of the Church. Really a triumph for Liberation theology it seems to me. Love Patrick’s conclusion:
“Fortunately, though, the church’s future will not rely on journalists, academics, or even churchmen alone. Rather, as always, the Gospels, the life of grace, and the unpredictability of the Holy Spirit will play the larger, more lasting role.”
Bill M. beat me to it. Though I haven’t read the book, Jordan’s appreciation of John Allen (and most of us I suspect have read his pieces on his 10 major factors) is spot on.
I wish he had said more on how little the issue of women plays in Allen’s perspective, perhaps due to his close Roman ties.
I’d like to hear a Jordan view on Rocco some time.
There are actually 48 pages in the November 6 issue. Surprise!
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I particularly liked Paul Baumann’s Notebook: A Refuge? Catholics, the Church, and the Culture Wars. Two reasons: 1) His description of the process of seeking articles for Commonweal. 2) His narration of what happened with the young woman about to enter a congregation of Sisters.
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Regarding the latter: The postulant or almost-postulant was suddenly instructed by the superior-to-be to drop the thought of the article, as an act of humility or of spiritual development. To me, this parallels the attitudes of some bosses in jobs: “I am the boss, and from the beginning you must bow to me.” Certainly, I have seen public school superintendents act this way towards middle management. In other firms, they won’t take you unless you show fealty, promising the firm your life. In the Church, the “superiors” use the virtue of faith and the appeal to dogma to cover up their desire to lead by bullying and power.
I just got the issue in the mail, and loved the cover. It was like seeing an old friend.