Catholic Legal Perspectives

This book identifies and analyzes critical areas where Catholic principles and legal principles overlap and diverge. The third edition contains new material regarding protection of religious liberty, papal infallibility, same sex marriage, and the Church's view regarding divorce and remarriage. Critiques and responses from multiple perspectives are included. Additional topics include family issues, immigration, public assistance, and matters of life and death, including abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.

Catholic Legal Perspectives is aimed at law students, lawyers, those in Catholic undergraduate and graduate schools, and others who are interested in examining Catholic views regarding our system of justice. The book includes updated excerpts from cases and statutes, law review articles, and commentaries. It contains important Church documents including selections from papal encyclicals, communications from the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, theologians, and others. Each chapter concludes with a "For Further Thought" section, asking the reader to consider, apply, and examine the principles discussed in that chapter. It asks law students and lawyers to reflect on whether these principles will or should affect their representation of clients or the way judges should approach cases brought before them. The book contains a bibliography at the end of each chapter for further reading and study.

"[This book] presents a very balanced analysis of the differences between Roman Catholic and secular views on particular legal issues. ...In each chapter, Piatt sets forth the Catholic church's position with regard to key controversies and how it differs from prevailing norms of American law. As well, he thoughtfully demonstrates how and where divisions exist with the Catholic church concerning the manner in which Catholics — particularly lawyers — should reconcile the teachings of the church with their secular roles. ...In conclusion, Catholic Legal Perspectives is a clear, intriguing presentation of the tensions inherent between any religion and a secular legal system." Mark Rush, Law and Politics Book Review (Vol. 23 No. 1), on the First Edition