A review of "Why You Can Disagree... and Remain a Faithful Catholic" by Philip S. Kaufman

Abstract

The basic thesis of this book is that Catholics have a right to know not only official Church teaching but also 'other information in the Church'. In his foreword, Richard A. McCormack, the distinguished moral theologian now teaching at Notre Dame, calls the author Kaufman courageous and thoughtful in his presentation of several burning issues and the dissent that has arisen about them. Kaufman's tone is provocative and sometimes vitriolic in his disagreement with current Church teachings. This tone is set by a 1986 poll printed opposite the title page, showing widespread disagreement (among American Catholics) with official teaching on several moral issues. In many ways Kaufman's book is a popularization of the scholarly opinions of theologians who have questioned various aspects of Church teaching. The author wants these views to be available to ordinary Catholics.