Why the Catholic Church Must Change: A Necessary Conversation

As contentious debates swirl in the Catholic church about the role of women, abortion, sexuality, and more, author Margaret Nutting Ralph urges readers to see that past church teaching on these issues is not infallible. Contrary to popular belief, church teaching on key issues has evolved in the past, and Ralph makes the case that it should again. Ralph works through some of the most vexing questions in the church today, from homosexuality to contraception, outlining key scriptural references for each issue, exploring the history of church teaching, then looking for ways these teachings might evolve. The paperback edition features a new preface that explores the potential for change in the church in light of Pope Francis's first year.



About the Author
Margaret Nutting Ralph is the director of the Masters in Pastoral Studies degree program for Catholics at Lexington Theological Seminary. She has given numerous presentations on biblical topics to parish, diocesan, state and national groups throughout the United States, in Nassau and in Canada, including the East Coast Conference; Anaheim Conference; National Conference of Catechetical Leaders; Chief Administrators of Catholic Education; National Catholic Education Association; Gather Me a People Conference. She has published many books and articles on religion and the church, including A Walk Through the New Testament: An Introduction for Catholics (2009) and bestseller And God Said What? An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms (2003).