An Intellectual History of Liberal Catholicism in Western Europe, 1789-1870

This book explores the tensions and contradictions between modern European Liberal Catholicism and the French Revolution, examining how Catholic intellectuals promoted a post-revolutionary state and society based on religious dogma and morality. It also investigates their conception of a specific liberal approach through Catholicism and the political, ideological, and philosophical pressures that the religious question caused in the redefinition of Western European post-revolutionary liberalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive volume delves into the complexities and paradoxes that underpin modern European Liberal Catholicism. It begins with the French Revolution and explores the intricate dialogues between European public moralists, shedding light on how liberal Catholics gradually distanced themselves from traditional religious beliefs while still utilizing them as a foundation. The book reflects on the strategies employed by these Catholics to advocate for a post-revolutionary state and society grounded in religious dogma and morality, as well as the novel liberal order and socio-political and religious models they proposed.

Furthermore, the book goes beyond the examination of the works of these Catholic intellectuals to investigate their endeavor to develop a distinctive liberal perspective through Catholicism. More broadly, it prompts a critical reevaluation of the political, ideological, and philosophical forces that shaped the redefinition of Western European post-revolutionary liberalism in the face of the religious question.

The French Revolution marked a pivotal moment in the history of European Liberal Catholicism, as it brought about significant social and political changes that challenged the traditional religious order. The revolutionaries sought to establish a new society based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which were in stark contrast to the religious teachings of the Catholic Church.

As a result, there was a significant tension between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy. The intellectuals believed that the Church should adapt to the changing times and embrace modernity, while the Church maintained its conservative beliefs and traditions. This tension led to a series of debates and discussions between the two groups, which ultimately resulted in the development of new theological and philosophical ideas.

One of the key figures in this debate was the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued that the state should be based on the natural law of man, which he believed was inherent in human nature. Rousseau's ideas were influential in the development of liberalism in Europe, and he was a strong supporter of religious freedom and tolerance.

Another important figure was the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who believed that the state should be based on the moral law of God, which he believed was revealed through the Bible. Kant's ideas were also influential in the development of liberalism, and he was a strong advocate of religious freedom and tolerance.

Despite these differences, there were also commonalities between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy. Both groups believed in the importance of social justice and the need to protect the rights of the poor and marginalized. They also believed in the importance of education and the promotion of knowledge and culture.

However, the tensions between the two groups continued to escalate, particularly in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The Church hierarchy accused the liberal Catholic intellectuals of promoting secularism and atheism, while the intellectuals accused the Church of being too conservative and resistant to change.

In response to these tensions, the liberal Catholic intellectuals began to develop a new theological and philosophical framework that sought to reconcile their beliefs with the modern world. They argued that the Church could still be a source of moral and ethical guidance, but that it should also be open to new ideas and interpretations of the Bible.

One of the key figures in this movement was the French priest and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who argued that the Church should be a community of believers who are committed to social justice and the promotion of human dignity. Sartre's ideas were influential in the development of Liberation Theology, which is a form of Catholicism that emphasizes the social and political dimensions of the Gospel.

Another important figure was the German priest and philosopher Karl Rahner, who argued that the Church should be a community of believers who are committed to the pursuit of truth and the promotion of human flourishing. Rahner's ideas were influential in the development of Catholic social teaching, which is a form of Catholicism that emphasizes the social and economic dimensions of the Gospel.

Despite these efforts, the tensions between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy continued to persist. The Church hierarchy accused the liberals of undermining the authority of the Pope and the authority of the Church, while the liberals accused the Church of being too authoritarian and resistant to change.

In the end, the tensions between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy led to a split in the Catholic Church. Some Catholics remained loyal to the traditional teachings of the Church, while others embraced the new ideas and interpretations of the Bible that were being promoted by the liberal Catholic intellectuals.

Today, the Catholic Church is divided into two main branches: the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest and most traditional branch of the Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is a smaller but more conservative branch of the Church. The Roman Catholic Church has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing world, while the Eastern Orthodox Church has maintained its traditional beliefs and traditions.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume delves into the complexities and paradoxes that underpin modern European Liberal Catholicism. It explores the tensions and contradictions that exist between liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy, and it investigates the strategies employed by these intellectuals to advocate for a post-revolutionary state and society grounded in religious dogma and morality. The book also prompts a critical reevaluation of the political, ideological, and philosophical forces that shaped the redefinition of Western European post-revolutionary liberalism in the face of the religious question. The French Revolution marked a pivotal moment in the history of European Liberal Catholicism, as it brought about significant social and political changes that challenged the traditional religious order. The revolutionaries sought to establish a new society based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which were in stark contrast to the religious teachings of the Catholic Church. As a result, there was a significant tension between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy. The intellectuals believed that the Church should adapt to the changing times and embrace modernity, while the Church maintained its conservative beliefs and traditions. This tension led to a series of debates and discussions between the two groups, which ultimately resulted in the development of new theological and philosophical ideas. One of the key figures in this debate was the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued that the state should be based on the natural law of man, which he believed was inherent in human nature. Rousseau's ideas were influential in the development of liberalism in Europe, and he was a strong supporter of religious freedom and tolerance. Another important figure was the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who believed that the state should be based on the moral law of God, which he believed was revealed through the Bible. Kant's ideas were also influential in the development of liberalism, and he was a strong advocate of religious freedom and tolerance. Despite these differences, there were also commonalities between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy. Both groups believed in the importance of social justice and the need to protect the rights of the poor and marginalized. They also believed in the importance of education and the promotion of knowledge and culture. However, the tensions between the two groups continued to escalate, particularly in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The Church hierarchy accused the liberal Catholic intellectuals of promoting secularism and atheism, while the intellectuals accused the Church of being too conservative and resistant to change. In response to these tensions, the liberal Catholic intellectuals began to develop a new theological and philosophical framework that sought to reconcile their beliefs with the modern world. They argued that the Church could still be a source of moral and ethical guidance, but that it should also be open to new ideas and interpretations of the Bible. One of the key figures in this movement was the French priest and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who argued that the Church should be a community of believers who are committed to social justice and the promotion of human dignity. Sartre's ideas were influential in the development of Liberation Theology, which is a form of Catholicism that emphasizes the social and political dimensions of the Gospel. Another important figure was the German priest and philosopher Karl Rahner, who argued that the Church should be a community of believers who are committed to the pursuit of truth and the promotion of human flourishing. Rahner's ideas were influential in the development of Catholic social teaching, which is a form of Catholicism that emphasizes the social and economic dimensions of the Gospel. Despite these efforts, the tensions between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy continued to persist. The Church hierarchy accused the liberals of undermining the authority of the Pope and the authority of the Church, while the liberals accused the Church of being too authoritarian and resistant to change. In the end, the tensions between the liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy led to a split in the Catholic Church. Some Catholics remained loyal to the traditional teachings of the Church, while others embraced the new ideas and interpretations of the Bible that were being promoted by the liberal Catholic intellectuals. Today, the Catholic Church is divided into two main branches: the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest and most traditional branch of the Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is a smaller but more conservative branch of the Church. The Roman Catholic Church has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing world, while the Eastern Orthodox Church has maintained its traditional beliefs and traditions. In conclusion, this comprehensive volume delves into the complexities and paradoxes that underpin modern European Liberal Catholicism. It explores the tensions and contradictions that exist between liberal Catholic intellectuals and the Church hierarchy, and it investigates the strategies employed by these intellectuals to advocate for a post-revolutionary state and society grounded in religious dogma and morality. The book also prompts a critical reevaluation of the political, ideological, and philosophical forces that shaped the redefinition of Western European post-revolutionary liberalism in the face of the religious question.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350371071