The latest issue of American Catholic Studies contains a wonderful review of Crossroads. Huge thanks to theologian Dr. Rev. Aaron Wessman, vicar general and director of formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners, for his close read and thoughtful comments.

Given his areas of expertise, Aaron highlighted the spiritual implications and insights Crossroads offers its readers. I really appreciate that readers, given their own unique specialities and roles in the Church and academy, have all found our book to be very useful in thinking through the challenges and graces that Catholicism (and religion broadly) face in this moment. From the review:

This research is augmented by coupling current, novel data with decades of statistics (going back to the 1980s) to provide one of the richest longitudinal studies ever available on the nature of Catholic life in America… Another value of this study is that it is “evangelical” in nature. The authors are not content simply accepting what is, i.e., merely providing a description of contemporary American Catholicism. They are interested also in discussing what could be, i.e., how their findings could contribute to the revitalization of faith, and of life, in the church… At a time when Catholic identity is both deeply rooted and under strain, Catholicism at a Crossroads provides a timely and credible roadmap for understanding—and revitalizing—America’s largest church.

My thanks also go out to Dr. Gladys Ganiel at Queen’s University in Belfast for her review in Sociology of Religion. She highlighted the ways this latest book is informed by the D’Antonio series as well as the ways it offers pastoral application and explores new topics. She closes her review by saying:

Catholicism at a Crossroads offers valuable insights into contemporary American Catholicism. It is accessible and essential reading for researchers and teachers in the sociology of American Catholicism, as well as practitioners who wish to shape the future of their Church.

I’m happy to talk more on how the findings might be applied to your parish, diocese, or other context!