In this article Fr. Drew Christiansen, S.J., reviews A Living Tradition by A. Alexander Stummvoll for America magazine, concluding that the author’s treatment of the Holy See as an international actor makes a constructive contribution to contemporary international relations theory. Christiansen welcomes the book's extensive case studies of the Vietnam War, the fall of communism in Poland, U.N. conferences on population and women, and campaigns for Jubilee-year debt relief. However, he contends that the lack of a broader theology and social scientific study of the church weakens the study in other ways, particularly regarding the influence of other Vatican offices, individual bishops, and national bishops' conferences. Christiansen also notes Stummvoll's conviction that Catholic social doctrine is “a living tradition” not because of the evolution of Catholic thought or learning that comes through pastoral practice, but because in real-world politics its implementation requires compromise. The review appeared in the September 3, 2018 print issue of America as "Prudent and Pragmatic."
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