Publications

Open Space

Of Nuclear Power, Climate Change and Corporate Self-Protection

This issue of Open Space puts a focus on nuclear power, following the tsunami and nuclear accident which struck Japan in March 2011.  Also included are excerpts of the historic letter on climate change signed by many Canadian faith leaders.
The Rich and the Rest

This edition of Open Space explores the growing gap between rich and poor and shows how it is damaging for everyone in all sectors of society.  This Open Space also pays tribute to Bishop Samuel Ruíz García, a great champion of the poor and the indigenous, especially in Mexico.  He died on January 24 2011.
Is soft power - friendship - the open door to China today?

2010 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who died in Beijing in 1610. This issue of Open Space explores Ricci's approach of immersing himself in Chinese language and culture in order to build friendship and suggests this soft power way for nations to relate to each other today.
Finally, it's a wisdom problem

The option for the poor and the option for earth are inseparable in a new, compelling conception of sustainability as liberation. This issue of Open Space is inspired by the book, The Tao of Liberation, by Mark Hathaway and Leonardo Boff. In this "Tao" or wisdom perspective, knowledge is not seen as power to control but as power to love.
All you need is love?

Nov/Dec 09 issue of Open Space features an overview of Caritas in Veritate.
What if we decide that the planet and everybody on it matter, and then make markets honest?

The summer 09 issue explores the concept of honest markets and how they could be realized.
The devil made us do it?

The March/April 09 issue explores ways to address the economic and climate crises.
Greed came before the fall while the public guardians sleepwalked

Open Space 1 (Nov/Dec 08) features an article on the global economic crisis, citing greed as a key problem.

Other Publications

Cry of the Poor, Cry of the Earth: What has spirituality got to do with social justice and ecology?

We believe, as many do now that spirituality,social justice and ecology should be integrated into a holistic approach or vision. Thus far, we tend to relate ecology to spirituality and/or social justice to ecology more readily than we interrelate the three together.

We believe we need a new paradigm or new way of seeing or understanding the complex reality of today. We need to do this in order to overcome both the narrower approach of particular academic disciplines and subconscious ideologies.
Caritas in Veritate: Guide for Discussion and Action

This guide is a starter kit. It is not comprehensive, nor is it a critical or analytical study. It is designed to bring the central themes of Caritas in Veritate to life. However, the content of the encyclical becomes real only when it is shared through people's lived experiences with others.

So - download the guide, bring together a small group, plan your meeting dates and begin the adventure!  
Faith and the Public Forum Revisited

The text of the Chancellor's Lecture delivered at Regis College, November 23 2007 by William F Ryan sj in celebration of his honorary doctorate.

Download Lecture

Aussi disponible en français.
Globalization and Catholic Social Thought

Published in 2005 by Novalis, this book assesses the meaning of globalization and the capacity of Catholic social thought to understand, reform, and guide it.  

Faith and Freedom

The Life and Times of Bill Ryan sj
written by Bob Chodos and Jamie Swift.   Published by Novalis 2002.

Bill Ryan's life story is a lens through which we can view the tensions and accomplishments of the past fifty turbulent years of Church history.   From humble origins in the Ottawa Valley, Ryan went to Harvard and eventually became leader of the Canadian Jesuits and General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.   
The Lab, the Temple and the Market

Reflections at the intersection of science, religion and development.   Contributions from Promilla Kapur, Gregory Baum, Azizan Baharuddin, and Farzam Arbab.    Edited by Sharon M.P. Harper.   Published by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).  Published in 2000.
Culture, Spirituality, and Economic Development

Security, sustainability, and stability often depend on a system of values that has taken centuries to develop within a specific society. Current development strategies, however, tend to ignore, often underestimate, and sometimes undermine cultural values or the cultural environment, which are essential to healthy human development. The question, then, becomes: How can human values and belief systems be properly integrated into the modern economic development paradigm? 
World Faiths and the New World Order

Comprises the texts of papers prepared for the Interreligious Peace Colloquium, held in Lisbon in 1977.   The conference subject was "The Changing World Order: Challenge to Our Faiths".    Writers include Robert Bellah, Isma'il Abdalla, Richard Falk, James Grant, Khurshid Ahmad and Philip Land.   Try your public library.  Available to buy from Alibris.