Healing and Developing Our Multiculturalism: A New Ministry for the Church

This book is a theological/pastoral response to Vatican IIs call to develop our cultures as outlined in section 2 of De Ecclesia in Mundo Huius Temporis: The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. It provides a historical perspective on the Church with brief outlines of the Churchs relations to the Chinese Jewish Muslim and Latino cultures. The author then reviews some of the defects in our present multiculturalism and suggests means for healing and developing our culture in the United States. With the American Catholic Church more multicultural than ever there is an urgent need for deep insights into multiculturalism and practical advice on how to minister effectively in this multicultural Church. Rademachers book fills this double need splendidly. Its twin approach to multiculturalism--healing and developing--turns it into an effective instrument for mutual enrichment and reconciliation. With each chapter accompanied by illustrative stories and ending with questions for discussion the work is a perfect textbook for college-level courses continuing education and parish diocesan formation. Buy it and use it. Currently there is no other work like this on the market. --Peter C. Phan Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought Georgetown University Throughout the pages of Healing and Developing our Multiculturalism we are witness to Rademachers careful scholarship and remarkable dedication to learning. One can only be impressed by his passion for social justice: to do what we can to repair our broken world and to create a climate of better understanding caring and respect for all humankind. --Rabbi Gerald M. Kane Rabbi Emeritus Temple Beth-El Las Cruces New Mexico Since 9-11 there [is] urgency to bring the Salvation message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all tongues peoples nations and countries; not least [to] the multicultural communities in which we reside. Rademacher examines these issues. He [relates] the evolutionary growth of the Roman Catholic Church. Such also is todays multiculturalism of the Church as there are greater than 1500 different practicing Christian religions In these times when the harvest is ripe and the organized workers are few we must put our differences aside and become that unified Body of Christ that one new man. This is a comprehensive and authoritative book on these issues. --Fred D. Hofeldt Judeo-Christian Israel Alliance Las Cruces New Mexico From the signs in Spanish to the women in headscarves a visit to any mall tells you that this is exactly the right book at the right time. Combining firsthand experience with a broad survey of scholarship its a must-read for pastors and people in the pew alike. --Ronald Modras Professor of Theological Studies St. Louis University William J. Rademacher is a retired professor of Systematic Theology and theological consultant on Pastoral Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces New Mexico. He is the author of Lay Ministry and several books on Parish Pastoral Councils.