This book goes behind the headlines on the Catholic Church in the United States to explore some of the principles and philosophical sources to which Popes, Bishops, Priests, Religious, and laity appeal when they challenge American culture and society on moral and social issues. Rarely do the media discuss the ""dictatorship of relativism” criticized by Pope Benedict XVI, and the reasons he gives for why such relativism undermines the moral foundations of religious freedom, tolerance, and democracy.

The distinguished authors in this book offer clear and compelling arguments for taking these concerns seriously. Religious liberty in the United States has enabled Catholic immigrants to build up vast numbers of schools, universities, seminaries, hospitals, clinics, orphanages, and parishes. The authors suggest the responsibility Catholics have to learn and live the resources of wisdom, morality, and holiness in the two millennial history of Catholicism in order to renew and strengthen both the Church and American culture today.