| Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy's newest book is a great contribution to pastoral ministry. The format is very "user-friendly", beginning with a brief self-test to explore the reader's level of current awareness of legal issues involved in ministry. The subsequent chapters deal with the sources of law impacting ministry, types of lawsuits, personnel issues, and a final chapter devoted to special topics of concern. A brief glossary of terms is also provided. The text is well laid out and easy to read. An index would have been useful, but since the book is quite brief, the lack of an index is not a major problem. Probably the best aspect of the book, in my opinion, is its explanation of the relationship between the legal aspects of ministry and the social justice teaching of the Church. For example, while some ministers may resent the administrative burden caused by current employment practices, the author points out that it is through these very practices that the social teaching of the church is concretized in the local church. This book is useful for everyone involved in ministry, from pastors to volunteer teachers, from school principals to parish council presidents. |
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