Theology and Power: International Perspectives

by Stephen Bullivant (Editor), Eric M Genilo (Editor), Daniel F Pilario (Editor)

Questions of power, and its capacity for abuse, have emerged as urgent themes for theoretical and practical reflection within the international Catholic context (and beyond). In large part, this is due to widespread revelations of sexual abuse, and allegations of subsequent cover-ups, mishandlings, and safeguarding failures. But while of the utmost importance, Christian explorations of power are neither limited to, nor prompted by, the sexual abuse crisis alone. And nor is the "logic of human power" (Pope Francis) a temptation confined only to religious settings. In the words of the Filipino Cardinal, Luis Antonio Tagle, "Power in whatever form can harm when misused." Recognizing the gravity, urgency, and global application of these issues, Theology and Power brings together Catholic scholars from three continents for a renewed, practical, and theoretical exploration of power and its (ab)uses. Special attention is given to both the sexual abuse crisis, and the often tense relationships between religion and politics. The wide-ranging contributions to this volume―encompassing biblical studies, moral philosophy, anthropology, pastoral theology, political theology, ecclesiology, social psychology, and bioethics―stem from a collaboration between the European Society for Catholic Theology (ESCT) and the Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines (DaKaTeo). This is an original collection of essays by leading Asian, European, and North American theologians and ethicists, exploring the nature of power, and its capacity for abuse, within both the Church and civil society. †

248 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2016

About the author

Stephen Bullivant is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics in the School of Education, Theology and Leadership. He joined St Mary's in September 2009, after completing his DPhil at Oxford University on the Second Vatican Council's engagement with atheism. In June 2010, he was awarded the Catholic Theological Society of America's 'Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award for New Scholars'.

He is currently Programme Director for the MA in Theology, for which he teaches the 'Scripture and Systematic Theology', 'Themes in Contemporary Theology', and 'Research and Reflective Practice' modules. On the BA Theology and Religious Studies, Stephen teaches both historical and doctrinal topics (inc. 'Foundations in Christian Theology', 'Trinity', 'Vatican II') and religious studies modules ('Atheism and Nonreligion'). He also teaches 'Christ and Christian Ethics' as part of St Mary's well-established foundation course in Youth Ministry.

In addition to his ongoing theological work on - inter alia - the Christian engagement with unbelief, new evangelization, dialogue, and aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, Stephen publishes regularly on the social-scientific study of unbelief and secularity. From 2008 to 2014 he was a co-director of the international Nonreligion and Secularity Research Network. Between 2011 and 2014 he was a committee member of the European Society for Catholic Theology, serving as its delegate to the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology.

A popular speaker and writer, Stephen has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Vatican Radio, and has written for (among others) New Scientist, The Guardian, America, and Strange Notions. He has also given invited talks and lectures in the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Brazil, the Philippines, and the USA.