Encyclopedia of Catholicism (Encyclopedia of World Religions)

The Encyclopedia of World Religions series has been designed to provide comprehensive coverage of six major global religious traditions—Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, and Protestant Christianity. The volumes have been constructed in an A-to-Z format to provide a handy guide to the major terms, concepts, people, events, and organizations that have, in each case, transformed the religion from its usually modest beginnings to the global force that it has become.In creating these encyclopedias, the attempt has been made to be comprehensive if not exhaustive. As space allows, in approximately 800 entries, each author has attempted to define and explain the basic terms used in talking about the religion, make note of definitive events, introduce the most prominent figures, and highlight the major organizations. The coverage is designed to result in both a handy reference tool for the religious scholar/specialist and an understandable work that can be used fruitfully by anyone—a student, an informed lay person, or a reader simply wanting to look up a particular person or idea.The main body of each encyclopedia is constituted of the approximately 800 entries, arranged alphabetically. These entries include some 200 biographical entries covering eligious figures of note in the tradition, with a distinct bias to the 19th and 20th centuries and some emphasis on leaders from different parts of the world. Special attention has been given to highlighting female contributions to the tradition, a factor often overlooked, as religion in all traditions has until recently been largely a male-dominated affair. In about 700 A-to-Z entries, this encyclopedia provides easy access to the theological concepts, personalities, historical events, institutions, and movements that helped to shape Catholicism and the way it is practiced today. Encyclopedia of Catholicism explores a 2,000-year-old religion that has more than a billion followers worldwide. Including issues the church currently faces, such as its inculturation in non-European societies, the status of women, and the struggles over sexual morality, abortion, euthanasia, and environmental challenges, Encyclopedia of Catholicism covers the landmark people, movements, institutions, practices, and doctrines of Roman Catholicism, from its origins to the present. A comprehensive introduction, further readings, cross-references, and a chronology, in addition to photographs, a general bibliography, and a thorough index, make Encyclopedia of Catholicism an easy-to-use and essential reference for high school and college students, researchers, and general readers. "Encyclopedia of World Religions" explores the major religions of the world, emphasizing the living faiths and their background. Each illustrated volume provides access to the theological concepts, personalities, historical events, institutions, and movements that helped shape the history of each religion and the way it is practiced Encyclopedic guide explores the terms, concepts, personalities, historical events, and institutions that helped shape the history of Catholicism and the way it is practiced today. Alphabetically arranged entries cover the theological concepts, practices, people, history, institutions, and movements of Catholicism.