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FR. BRETZKE’ S MORAL THEOLOGY WEB-PAGE Prepared by Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D.
Professor of Moral Theology
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3800
E-mail: [email protected]
STM Web-site: http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/
Jump to LATEST UPDATES to this Web-Page [As of November 1, 2015]
N.B.: All URLs are CASE SENSITIVE!
Office 617-552-6514
Biographical Snapshot
Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. is currently Professor of Moral Theology at Boston College’s
graduate School of Theology and Ministry. Prior to joining the Boston College faculty He did
his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he also taught for three
years, before coming to the Graduate Theological Union and the Jesuit School of Theology-at-
Berkeley in 1993, where he taught for a decade before moving to the at the University of San
Francisco and also serving as Chair of the Department of Theology & Religious Studies. He has
also taught for several years in Seoul, Korea at Sogang University and as a Visiting Professor of
Moral Theology at the Loyola School of Theology of the Ateneo de Manila, Philippines. He has
published in various aspects of moral theology over seventy articles and reviews, plus five books,
including A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology and Consecrated
Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary both from Liturgical Press. Besides teaching Fr. Bretzke
works on weekends at St. Michael's Parish in Bedford, MA, He grew up in Holy Family Parish
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in Whitefish Bay, WI and graduated in 1970 from Marquette University High School in
Milwaukee, WI and immediately entered the Jesuits in the Wisconsin Province of the Society of
Jesus. He was ordained by his uncle, Bishop Lambert Hoch on May 30, 1981 in Omaha,
Nebraska where he had earlier taught for three years at Creighton Prep Jesuit High School.
Fr. Bretzke’s Curriculum Vitae [Last update March 20, 2015]: https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCVWeb.pdf
Fr. Bretzke’s 2008 USF Web-Page: http://www.usfca.edu/fac-
staff/bretzkesj/USFWebIndex.htm
[N.B. Since not everything that is on the USF Web-page has been uploaded to the Boston College web-page this
older site still contains a number of potentially useful resources]
Jump to STUDY AIDS AND/OR CLASS NOTES
Jump to RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Jump to POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS (Organized Thematically)
Jump To COURSES TAUGHT
Jump to UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES
Jump to RECENT PAST WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES GIVEN
Jump to SELECTED ARTICLES authored by James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D.
LATEST UPDATES as of November 1, 2015
Re-Reading the Roman Tea-leaves of the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynod2015Presentation.ppsx
Phoenix ‘Abortion’ Case Bibliography [uploaded October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixAbortionBibliography.pdf
Bioethics Bibliography [Last update: October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BioethicsBibliography.pdf
Evil and Compromise in Moral Theology Bibliography [Last update: October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EvilAndCompromiseInMoralTheologyBibliography.pdf
Fundamental Option & Moral Acts in Veritatis Splendor [uploaded September 30, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/FundamentalOptionMoralActsVeritatisSplendor.ppsx
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Decoding 1 Corinthians 6:9 [Updated September 16, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Decoding1Corinthians6.ppsx
Human Rights Bibliography [Updated: August 28, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/RightsBibliography.pdf
6 Cs of Moral Discourse & the Moral Triangle of Ethical Analysis [uploaded August 23, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Bretzke6CsMoralTriangleMethodology.ppsx
Definitions of Moral Theology and/or Christian Ethics [Uploaded August 21, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/DefinitionsOfMoralTheology.pdf
TMCE8002 Fundamental Moral Theology Syllabus 2015 [Updated August 21, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/TMCE8002FundamentalMoralTheologySyllabus2015.pdf
Evil and Compromise in Moral Theology Bibliography [Last update August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EvilAndCompromiseInMoralTheologyBibliography.pdf
Natural Law Bibliography [Last Updated: August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/NaturalLawBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
1 Corinthians 6:9 Translations Compared:
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/1Corinthians6TranslationsCompared.pdf [uploaded August
18, 2015]
Problematic Uses of Scripture in Ethics Introductory Exercise [updated August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ProblematicUsesOfScriptureInEthicsExercise.pdf
Five-Step Methodology for Using Scripture in Ethics [uploaded August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/5StepMethodologyForUsingScriptureInEthics.pdf
TMCE8551 Moral Authority, Conscience, Virtue and the Natural Law Syllabus
[Last update August 16, 2015] https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/TMCE8551MoralAuthorityConscienceVirtueNaturalLawSyllabus2015.pdf
Virtue and Virtue Ethics Bibliography [Updated August 13, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/VirtueBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
“Re-Reading the Tea-leaves of Moral Theology 50 Years after Vatican II.” Essay for "Vatican II
and the Future of the Church" Internet Conference and published online August 6, 2015 at
http://wakeuplazarus.net/v2/ESSAYS/bretzke.html
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Ecumenical Ethics Bibliography [Last Update August 6, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EcumenicalEthicsBibliography.pdf
Catholic Moral Tradition & Health-Care Principles [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CatholicMoralTraditionAndHealthCarePrinciples.ppsx
Church Teaching & Tradition in Sexual Ethics Power-Point Presentation [uploaded August
3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ChurchTeachingAndTraditionInSexualEthics.ppsx
Irregular Unions in the 2014 Extraordinary Synod [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/IrregularUnionsInThe2014Synod.ppsx
Political Choices in a Morally Complex World [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PoliticalChoices.ppsx
Conscience Theology Introduction Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ConscienceTheologyIntro.ppsx
Moral Good/Evil & Right/Wrong in Moral Agency Power Point Presentation [uploaded
August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MoralGoodEvilRightWrongInMoralAgency.ppsx
Natural Law and Intrinsic Evil Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/NaturalLawAndIntrinsicEvil.ppsx
Fundamental Moral Theology & Christian Ethics Bibliography [Last update: August 1, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/FundamentalMoralBibliography.pdf
Francis Effect on Church’s Munus Docendi & Munus Gubernandi [updated May 27, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pdf [the article]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pptx [the Power Point]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCTSFrancisEffectScript.pdf [Power Point Script]
Sexual Ethics Bibliography [Updated: May 24, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/SexualEthicsBibliography.pdf
Magisterium & Moral Theology Bibliography [Latest update May 17, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MagisteriumBibliography.pdf
War and Peace Bibliography [Latest update May 17, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/WarPeaceBibliography.pdf
Bioethics Bibliography [Last update: May 2, 2015]
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https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BioethicsBibliography.pdf
Inculturation of Moral Theology Bibliography [Uploaded May 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/InculturationMoralBibliography.pdf
Scripture & Ethics Bibliography [Last update: May 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ScriptureAndEthicsBibliography.pdf
Culture Bibliography [Uploaded April 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CultureBibliography.pdf
Inculturation General Works Bibliography [Updated April 13, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/InculturationBibliography.pdf
Re-reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family [updated April 8, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pptx [Power Point
Presentation version]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pdf [PDF version]
Script for “Re-reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family [uploaded April 3,
2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLectureScript.pdf
Conscience Bibliography [Last update: March 31, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ConscienceBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
Magisterium Power Point Presentation [Updated March 29, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Magisterium.ppsx
Sin and Reconciliation Bibliography [Last update: March 27, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/SinBibliography.pdf
Fr. Bretzke’s Curriculum Vitae [Last update March 8, 2015]: https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCVWeb.pdf
The Last Supper and Developing Moral Imagination: Insight from Hermeneutics & Art
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/LastSupperAndMoralImagination.ppt [Uploaded January
31, 2015]
TH 4405 & TH 5405 Christian Theology in Global Contexts: Cross-Cultural Ethics
Challenges [Uploaded January 11, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/TH4405XtianTheologyInGlobalContextsCrossCulturalEthicsSyllabus2015.pdf
Syllabus for the Wade Chair course offered at Marquette University in Spring 2015
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Back to Top
STUDY AIDS AND/OR CLASS NOTES
Online Moral Theology Study Aids
Study Questions for A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/StudyQuestionsMorallyComplexWorld.pdf
Abortion-Related Issues:
Abortion and Politics Church Teaching Quiz
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/AbortionAndPoliticsChurchTeachingQuiz.pdf
Abortion and Politics Church Teaching Quiz Answers
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/AbortionAndPoliticsChurchTeachingQuizAnswers.pdf
Abortion and Canonical Penalties Administration & Counseling
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/AbortionCanonLaw.pdf
Aquinas & the Natural Law Gloss by Bretzke https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/AquinasBretzkeNaturalLaw.pdf
Catholic Moral Tradition and/or Magisterium Related Issues:
20 Questions on Catholic Moral Tradition Teaching
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeaching.pdf
20 Questions on Catholic Moral Tradition Teaching with Answers
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeachingAnswers.pdf
20 Questions on Magisterial Catholic Moral Teaching Quiz
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/20QuestionsQuizMagisterium.pdf
20 Questions on Magisterial Catholic Moral Teaching Quiz with Answers
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/20QuestionsQuizMagisteriumANSWERS.pdf
Magisterial Teaching on Regulation on Births Quiz
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
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bretzke/MagisterialTeachingOnRegulationOnBirthsQuestionsQuiz.pdf
Magisterial Teaching on Regulation on Births Quiz with Answers
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/MagisterialTeachingOnRegulationOnBirthsQuestionsAnswers.pdf
Magisterial Exegesis Guidelines:
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MagisterialExegesis.pdf
Magisterium Views by Members of the Magisterium Itself [Updated March 22, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MagisterialMagisteriumViews.pdf
Miscellaneous Issues & Documents:
Definitions of Moral Theology and/or Christian Ethics [Uploaded August 21, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/DefinitionsOfMoralTheology.pdf
Moral Triangle Worksheet
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MoralTriangleWorksheet.pdf
Pastoral Counseling Points
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CounselingPoints.pdf
Questions to the Moralist [Last updated August 1, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/QuestionsToTheMoralist.pdf
[These are actual questions with my responses to a variety of moral issues and cases. Many of
these would provide some illustration of how moral principles can be interpreted and applied
to real-life situations.]
Six [6] C’s of Moral Discourse Outline
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSixCsOfMoralDiscourseOutline.pdf
Sacrament of Reconciliation Related Issues:
Abortion and Canonical Penalties Administration & Counseling
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/AbortionCanonLaw.pdf
Canonical Penalties Treatment Overview
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PenaltiesCanonicalTreatment.pdf
Pastoral Counseling Points
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CounselingPoints.pdf
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Seal of Confession Notes
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/SealHandout.pdf
Scripture & Ethics Issues
1 Corinthians 6:9 Translations Compared:
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/1Corinthians6TranslationsCompared.pdf [uploaded August
18, 2015]
Five-Step Methodology for Using Scripture in Ethics [uploaded August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/5StepMethodologyForUsingScriptureInEthics.pdf
Problematic Uses of Scripture in Ethics Introductory Exercise [updated August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ProblematicUsesOfScriptureInEthicsExercise.pdf
Scripture and Ethics Course Notes:
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeScriptureEthicsCourseNotes.pdf [PDF Version]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeScriptureEthicsCourseNotes.htm [HTML
Version]
These are course notes to a course I taught several times at the Graduate Theological
Union in Berkeley on the theme of Scripture and Christian ethics.
Scripture and Ethics Guidelines [Uploaded November 2, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsGuidelines.pdf [PDF Version]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsGuidelines.htm [HTML Version]
Using Scripture in Ethics Class Notes [Uploaded November 5, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/UsingScriptureInEthics.pdf [PDF Version]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/UsingScriptureInEthics.html [HTML Version
Scripture and Ethics Interactive Exercise [Revised March 2, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsExercise.htm
Back to Top
Current Course Syllabi
Back to Top
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Research Bibliographies
Online Annotated Research Bibliographies (See below for individual list) URL: https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Bibliographies.pdf
Individual Bibliographies
Abortion and Catholic Politics Bibliography
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AbortionPoliticsBibliography.pdf [PDF Version]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AbortionPoliticsBibliography.htm [HTML Version]
This bibliography focuses on the issue which arose in conjunction with federal elections,
regarding the possibility and/or advisability of using reception of Communion as a tool
for political coercion by bishops over the Catholic politicians and/or voters in their
respective dioceses.
Phoenix ‘Abortion’ Case Bibliography [uploaded October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixAbortionBibliography.pdf
Bibliography & Footnote Format Guidelines (based on the University of Chicago “Turabian”
Manual of Style) [uploaded February 20, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BibliographyFormatGuide.pdf
Bioethics Bibliography [Last update: October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BioethicsBibliography.pdf
Casuistry in Moral Theology Bibliography [Last Update May 1, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CasuistryBibliography.pdf
Comparative Ethics Bibliography
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ComparativeEthicsBibliography.pdf
Conscience Bibliography [Last update: March 31, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ConscienceBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
Culture Bibliography [Updated April 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CultureBibliography.pdf
Donum Vitae Related Key Bibliography [Uploaded November 14, 2012
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/DonumVitaeRelatedKeyBibliography.pdf
Ecumenical Ethics Bibliography [Last Update: August 6, 2015]
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https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EcumenicalEthicsBibliography.pdf
This bibliography contains both classical and contemporary sources and authors from the
Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions, arranged both by topic and by author.
Environmental & Ecological Ethics Bibliography [Uploaded August 20, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EnvironmentalAndEcologicalEthicsBibliography.pdf
Evil and Compromise in Moral Theology Bibliography [Last update October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/EvilAndCompromiseInMoralTheologyBibliography.pdf
Fundamental Moral Theology & Christian Ethics Bibliography [Last update: August 1, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/FundamentalMoralBibliography.pdf
Fundamental Option Theory Bibliography [Uploaded July 28, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/FundamentalOptionBibliography.pdf
Globalization & Ethics Bibliography
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/GlobalEthicsBibliography.pdf
History of Moral Theology Bibliography [Last Update August 23, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/HistoryOfMoralTheologyBibliography.pdf
Human Rights Bibliography [Updated: August 28, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/RightsBibliography.pdf
This bibliography includes both general titles related to human rights, as well as a number
of entries related to East Asia and/or comparative ethics.
Humanae Vitae Bibliography [Last Update: August 23, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/HumanaeVitaeBibliography.pdf
Inculturation General Works Bibliography [Updated April 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/InculturationBibliography.pdf
Inculturation of Moral Theology Bibliography [Uploaded May 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/InculturationMoralBibliography.pdf
Liberation Theology Bibliography [Uploaded: August 13, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/LiberationTheologyBibliography.pdf
Magisterium & Moral Theology Bibliography [Latest update May 17, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MagisteriumBibliography.pdf
Narrative Theology Bibliography
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https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/NarrativeBibliography.pdf
Natural Law Bibliography [Last Updated: August 18, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/NaturalLawBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
Phoenix ‘Abortion’ Case Bibliography [uploaded October 12, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixAbortionBibliography.pdf
Scripture & Ethics Bibliography [Updated May 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ScriptureAndEthicsBibliography.pdf
Print version published by Edwin Mellen Press, 1997; revised and expanded electronic
version here online.
Sensus Fidelium Bibliography: See Magisterium & Moral Theology Bibliography
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MagisteriumBibliography.pdf
Sexual Ethics Bibliography [Updated: May 24, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/SexualEthicsBibliography.pdf
This bibliography is organized thematically and brings together ecumenical approaches to
various aspects of human sexual ethics.
Sin and Reconciliation Bibliography [Last update: March 27, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/SinBibliography.pdf
Social Ethics Bibliography
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsBibliography.pdf [PDF Version]
A bibliography on social ethics, largely from the Roman Catholic perspective, organized
thematically, principally around the papal social encyclicals.
Veritatis Splendor Bibliography [Last Update August 14, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/VeritatisSplendorBibliography.pdf
Virtue and Virtue Ethics Bibliography [updated August 13, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/VirtueBibliographyByBretzke.pdf
War and Peace Bibliography [Latest update May 17, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/WarPeaceBibliography.pdf
This is a relatively short bibliography compiled to aid students in further research in the
basic areas of war and peace, violence, and punishment from the perspective of Christian
ethics.
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Worship, Prayer and the Sacraments in Moral Life Bibliography
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/WorshipBibliography.pdf
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POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS
(In Thematic, NOT Course Sequential Order)
Bioethics and Health Care Bioethical Challenges Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 17, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicalChallenges.htm
Bioethics Introduction [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsIntroduction.htm
Bioethics and Moral Agency Power Point Presentation [uploaded March 25, 2004; revised
May 5, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsMoralAgency.htm
Bioethics & Moral Agency Overview Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 25, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsOverview.htm
Bioethics Debates Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 4, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsDebates.htm
Bioethics for a Brave New World Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 12, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsNewWorld.htm
Bioethics, Theology, Science: Three Contemporary Debates: PVS, Stem-Cell Research, and
Reproductive Technologies [Revised March 3, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsTheologyScience.htm
Burden of Means (PVS Health Care Debate) Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23,
2004; revised and expanded October 28, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BurdenOfMeans.htm
Catholic Debates In Bioethics Power Point Presentation [uploaded February 4, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicDebatesInBioethics.htm
13
Catholic Debates on End-of-Life Issues and Stem Cell Research [Uploaded October 27, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicDebatesOnEndOfLifeAndStemCells.htm
Catholic Health Care Decision-making Principles [uploaded March 2, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicHealthCareDecisionPrinciples.htm
Catholic Moral Tradition & Health-Care Principles [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CatholicMoralTraditionAndHealthCarePrinciples.ppsx
Catholic Teachings on End of Life: True or False? [Uploaded March 17, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicTeachingsOnEndOfLife.htm
Death & Dying Catholic Debates [uploaded April 7, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/DeathAndDyingCatholicDebates.htm
End of Life Catholic Issues: [Uploaded June 30, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EndOfLifeCatholicIssues.htm
End of Life Debates on Catholic Tradition and Teaching [uploaded October 28, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EndOfLifeCatholicDebates.htm
Ethical Responses to HIV/AIDS Pandemic [uploaded December 1, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EthicalResponseToAIDS.htm
HIV/AIDS Condom Debate [Uploaded May 7, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HIVAIDSCondomDebate.htm
HIV/AIDS Moral Triangle Analysis Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HIVAIDSMoralTriangle.htm
Killing or Letting Die: Catholic Debates [Uploaded December 11, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/KillingOrLettingDieCatholicDebate.htm
Includes an update dealing with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s August
2007 Responsum to the question of whether artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) is
always required in PVS (Persistent Vegetative State) cases.
Killing or Letting Die? Terri Schiavo Debate in the Catholic Moral Context
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SchiavoKillingOrLettingDie.htm
Liminal Questions in Bioethics(Genetics, Stem Cell Research, Reproductive Issues)[
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LiminalBioethics.htm
The Phoenix Case Not Heard Moral Triangle Power Point Presentation [Uploaded May 18,
2012]
14
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixCaseNotHeardMoralTriangle.ppsx
This presentation was reported in the June 8, 2012 online version of the National
Catholic Reporter and a further report is found in the 2012 Proceedings of the CTSA,
available online at http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ctsa/issue/view/235/showToc
For bibliography on this case see https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/PhoenixAbortionBibliography.pdf
Stem Cells Liminal Debates [Uploaded March 2, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/StemCellsLiminalDebates.htm
Conscience
Church Teaching and Conscience [uploaded January 15, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ChurchTeachingAndConscience.htm
Conscience in the Catholic Tradition [uploaded February 14, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicConscience.htm
Conscience and Discernment in Moral Decision-Making Power Point Presentation [uploaded
December 9, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceDiscernment.htm
Conscience and Freedom Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceFreedom.htm
Conscience and Fundamental Option Power Point Presentation [Uploaded November 21,
2004; Revised January 11, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceFundamentalOption.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceFundamentalOption.pdf
Conscience, Moral Agency, and Moral Norms Power Point Presentation [uploaded October
11, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceAgencyNorms.htm
Conscience and Moral Decision-making Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 12,
2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceMoralDecision.htm
Conscience Formation and the Moral Life [uploaded 2 March 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceMoralFormation.htm
15
Conscience and Moral Norms Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 11, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceMoralNorms.htm
Conscience & Morality RCIA Power Point Presentation [Revised January 17, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceRCIA.htm
Conscience and Sanctuary Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceSanctuary.htm
Conscience Theology Introduction Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ConscienceTheologyIntro.ppsx
Free Will, Conscience, & Moral Decision-Making
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/FreeWillConscienceMoralFormation.htm [uploaded
January 15, 2007]
Making Difficult Moral Decisions in Conscience [uploaded March 2, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MakingDifficultMoralDecisionsInConscience.htm
Cross-Cultural and/or Inter-Religious Themes
Confucian Culture in the Contemporary Korean Context [Uploaded March 16, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConfucianCultureInKorea.htm
Cross-Cultural Perspectives Power Point Presentation [Uploaded with music on May 16,
2012] https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CrossCulturalPerspectivesBC.ppsx
Also available on Microsoft Sky-Drive at https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=64c940397388ea82&sc=documents&id=6
4C940397388EA82%21105
Cross-Cultural Hermeneutics and Inculturation [Uploaded April 11, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CrossCulturalHermeneuticsAndInculturation.htm
Cross-Cultural Perspectives Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 23, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CrossCulturalViews.htm
Dalai Lama’s Visit to USF Jesuit Community
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/DalaiLamaUSF.htm
The Last Supper and Developing Moral Imagination: Insight from Hermeneutics & Art
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/LastSupperAndMoralImagination.ppt [Uploaded January
16
31, 2015]
Pathways to Spiritual Wisdom Power Point Presentation [uploaded January 15, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdom.htm
Religious Themes in Asian Art (from the San Francisco Asian Art Museum Collection)
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ReligiousThemesInAsianArt.htm
Theology of Accompaniment in Korea Power Point Presentation [Uploaded November 11,
2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TheologyAccompaniment.htm
Traditional Religious Culture in Korea [uploaded January 29, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TraditionalReligiousCultureInKorea.htm
Zen Buddhism:
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ZenBuddhism.htm
Magisterium Related Presentations
Francis Effect on Church’s Munus Docendi & Munus Gubernandi [updated May 16, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pdf [the article]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pptx [the Power Point]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCTSFrancisEffectScript.pdf [Power Point Script]
Magisterium Power Point Presentation [Updated March 29, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Magisterium.ppsx
Making Good Political Choices in a Morally Complex World
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PoliticalChoices.htm
Re-reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family [uploaded March 29, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pptx [Powerpoint
Presentation version]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pdf [PDF version]
Re-Reading the Roman Tea-leaves of the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynod2015Presentation.ppsx
Miscellaneous Presentations
Life Matters: Reflections Extraordinary Synod on the Family [Uploaded October 26, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyBCTalk.pdf OR
17
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyBCTalk.pptx
Accompanying Script for the Reflections Extraordinary Synod on the Family Presentation
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyBCTalkScript.pdf
Models of the Church and Faith [Uploaded 10 February 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ModelsOfTheChurchAndFaith.htm
The Phoenix Case Not Heard Moral Triangle Power Point Presentation [Uploaded May 18,
2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixCaseNotHeardMoralTriangle.ppsx
This presentation was reported in the June 8, 2012 online version of the National
Catholic Reporter and a further report is found in the 2012 Proceedings of the CTSA,
available online at http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ctsa/issue/view/235/showToc
Moral Agency, Concepts, Norms, Natural Law & Methodology
6 Cs of Moral Discourse & the Moral Triangle of Ethical Analysis [uploaded August 23, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Bretzke6CsMoralTriangleMethodology.ppsx
Archdiocese of San Francisco Lay Diaconate Introduction to Moral Theology
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SFDeaconsIntro.htm
Casuistry with A Human Face: Navigating A Morally Complex World [uploaded August 23,
2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CasuistryHuman.htm
Catholic Moral Theology Review Power Point (prepared for STM Theological Synthesis)
[uploaded February 5, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CatholicMoralTheologyReview.htm
Christian Moral Living in a Morally Complex World Power Point Presentation [Uploaded
October 25, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldIntroDeacons.htm
Difficult Moral Agency [uploaded December 9, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/DifficultMoralAgency.htm
Ethical Theories and the Moral Triangle [Uploaded February 9, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EthicalTheoriesMoralTriangle.htm
Fundamental Option & Moral Acts in Veritatis Splendor [uploaded September 30, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/FundamentalOptionMoralActsVeritatisSplendor.ppsx
18
Fundamental Moral Concepts Review1 [uploaded February 8, 2004] [Ignatius Institute
Catholic Tradition II, Weeks 1 & 2 Review]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/FundamentalMoralReview1.htm
Ethical Theories Introduction
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EthicalTheoriesIntro.htm
Good/Bad & Right/Wrong in Moral Theology [Revised November 21, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/GoodBadRightWrong.htm
Magisterium & Moral Teaching Power Point Presentation [updated August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Magisterium.htm
Making Difficult Moral Decisions in Conscience [uploaded March 2, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MakingDifficultMoralDecisionsInConscience.htm
Making Good Political Choices in a Morally Complex World
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PoliticalChoices.htm
Modes of Moral Discourse Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ModesOfMoralDiscourse.htm
Moral Good/Evil & Right/Wrong in Moral Agency Power Point Presentation [uploaded
August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MoralGoodEvilRightWrongInMoralAgency.ppsx
Moral Methodology for Discipleship [uploaded August 24, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyForDiscipleship.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyForDiscipleshipPrint.pdf [For note-
taking]
Moral Methodology Introduction BC-STM Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 5,
2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/MoralMethodologyIntroBCSTM.ppsx
Moral Methodology Introduction Power Point Presentation [updated January 11, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodology.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodology.pdf
Moral Methodology Introduction USF Moral Theology (Catholic Tradition II Courses
[uploaded January 17, 2005; updated October 17, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyIntroUSF.mht
Moral Theology Basic Concepts [Uploaded January 24, 2005]
19
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralBasicConcepts.htm
Moral Theology Introduction [Uploaded March 30, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralTheologyIntroUSF.htm [Full Power Point file]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralTheologyIntroUSF.pdf [Note-Taking File]
Moral Theology Key Concepts [uploaded February 16, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralKeyConcepts.htm
Moral Theology Basic Concepts [uploaded January 25, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralBasicConcepts.htm
Morally Complex World Deacons Formation Workshop Power Point [Revised September 23,
2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldDeaconsNoteFile.pdf
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldDeacons.htm
Morally Complex World Introduction [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldIntro.htm
Morally Complex World Santa Barbara Deacons [uploaded March 23, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldSantaBarbaraDeacons.htm
Natural Law and Intrinsic Evil Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 2, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/NaturalLawAndIntrinsicEvil.ppsx
Natural Law, Moral Agency, and Good & Principles [uploaded January 11, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/NaturalLawMoralAgency.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/NaturalLawMoralAgency.pdf
Natural Law and Moral Norms [Revised September 13, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/NaturalLaw.htm
The Phoenix Case Not Heard Moral Triangle Power Point Presentation [Uploaded May 18,
2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixCaseNotHeardMoralTriangle.ppsx
Political Choices in a Morally Complex World [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PoliticalChoices.ppsx
Reasons of the Heart: Ethics for Everyday Living [Uploaded November 8, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ReasonsOfHeartEthicsEveryDayLiving.htm
Reasons of the Heart: Shorter Version [Uploaded March 16, 2006]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-
20
staff/bretzkesj/ReasonsOfHeartEthicsEveryDayLivingShorterVersion.htm
Theological Ethics Introduction Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 7, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TheologicalEthicsIntro.htm
Scripture
Bible and Homosexuality Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004; Revised
November 2, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BibleAndHomosexuality.htm
Decoding 1 Corinthians 6:9 [Updated September 16, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Decoding1Corinthians6.ppsx
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Decoding1Corinthians6.pdf
Scripture and Ethics Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004; Revised November
2, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthics.htm
Sexual Ethics
Bible and Homosexuality Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BibleAndHomosexuality.htm
Catholic Sex Birth Ethics [Uploaded March 2, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSexBirthEthics.htm
Church Teaching & Tradition in Sexual Ethics Power-Point Presentation [uploaded August
3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/ChurchTeachingAndTraditionInSexualEthics.ppsx
Conversations That Matter: Homosexuality—A Difficult Issue For Sexual Ethics [uploaded
November 4, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/ConversationsThatMatterHomosexualityADifficultIssueForSexualEthics.ppt
Decoding 1 Corinthians 6:9 [Uploaded November 4, 2014]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/Decoding1Corinthians6.ppt Decoding 1 Corinthians 6:9 [Uploaded November 9, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Decoding1Corinthians6.htm
Gay Marriage Moral Triangle Debate [Uploaded February 17, 2004]
21
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/GayMarriageMoralTriangle.htm
HIV/AIDS Moral Triangle Analysis Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HIVAIDSMoralTriangle.htm
Homosexuality and Christian Ethics Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 21, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HomosexualEthicsChallenge.htm
Irregular Unions in the 2014 Extraordinary Synod [uploaded August 3, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/IrregularUnionsInThe2014Synod.ppsx
Roman Catholic Sexual Ethics Tensions Power Point Presentation [uploaded October 11,
2004}
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/RomanCatholicSexualEthicsTensions.htm
Sexual Ethics in the Catholic Tradition [uploaded March 28, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexEthicsCatholicTradition.htm
Sexual Ethics Contemporary Challenges Power Point Presentation [uploaded March 2, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexualEthicsChallenges.htm
Sexual Ethics Deacons Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 18, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexEthicsDeacons.htm
Sexual Ethics Overview Power Point Presentation [uploaded September 17, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexEthicsOverview.htm
Sin, Reconciliation, Pastoral Counseling and Spirituality Ambassador of Christ: Sin, Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Conversion [uploaded December
9, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AmbassadorsOfReconciliation.htm
Casuistry with A Human Face: Navigating A Morally Complex World [uploaded August 23,
2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CasuistryHuman.htm
Confronting Sin and Moral Failure in a Morally Complex World [uploaded January 11,
2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConfrontingSin.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConfrontingSin.pdf
Hope for Healing: Ambassadors of Reconciliation in Confronting Sin and Moral Failure.
22
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry 17 March 2011. Presentation available online at
http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/schools/stm/edevnts/CampusEvents/PastLectures/2011/02-01-
2011_2.html
Justice, Social Sin & Reconciliation in Catholic Social Teaching [Uploaded March 28, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/JusticeInCatholicSocialTeaching.htm
Reasons of the Heart: Pathways to Ethics for Everyday Life
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ReasonsOfTheHeart.htm
Sin and Evil in a Morally Complex World Power Point Presentation [uploaded August 23,
2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SinEvilComplex.htm
Sin in Moral Theology [uploaded January 23, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SinInMoralTheology.htm
Sin, Suffering and Evil Power Point Presentation [Condensed from “Confronting Sin” Power
Point]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SinSufferingAndEvil.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SinSufferingAndEvilPrint.pdf [Note-Taking File]
Spirituality for the Long Haul: Pathways for Christian Moral Living
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForTheLongHaul.htm
Social Ethics
Catholic Social Concerns Methodology Introduction [Uploaded January 20, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSocialConcernsIntro.htm
Catholic Social Teaching Overview [Uploaded April 16, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsOverview.htm
Consistent Ethic of Life [uploaded April 17, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConsistentEthicOfLife.htm
Homelessness & the Moral Triangle [Uploaded April 16, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HomelessMoralTriangle.htm
Justice, Social Sin & Reconciliation in Catholic Social Teaching [Uploaded March 28, 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/JusticeInCatholicSocialTeaching.htm
Six C’s of Moral Discourse and the Moral Triangle
23
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/6CsMoralTriangleWar.htm
Social Ethics and Just War Key Concepts Power Point Presentation [Uploaded April 18, 2004]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsAndJustWarConcepts.htm
Social Ethics Key Concepts Power Point Presentation [uploaded November 7, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsConcepts.htm
Social Ethics Overview [uploaded May 15, 2007]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsOverview.htm
Spirituality
Catholic Eucharist Explained [Uploaded 12 February 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicEucharistExplained.htm
Christian Discipleship Spirituality [Uploaded 8 January 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ChristianDiscipleshipSpirituality.htm
Ignatian Sites & Sights Power Point Presentation
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/IgnatianSites&Sights.htm
Ignatian Tools for Growth [uploaded November 11, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/IgnatianToolssForGrowth.htm
Models of the Church and Faith [Uploaded 10 February 2008]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ModelsOfTheChurchAndFaith.htm
Moral Methodology for Discipleship
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyForDiscipleship.htm
Spirituality for Christian Living [uploaded May 8, 2005]
http://www.usfca.edu./fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForChristianLiving.htm
Spirituality for Christian Living Reflection Questions
http://www.usfca.edu./fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForChristianLivingQuestions.pdf
Student Power Point Presentations
Contemporary Moral Problems Class
24
Capital Punishment Power Point Presentation by Duong Nguyen
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CapitalPunishmentNguyen.htm
Disadvantaged Schools Power Point Presentation
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/DisadvantagedSchools.htm
Palestinian/Israeli Conflict Power Point Presentation
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/IsraelPalestineConflict.htm
Back to Top
COURSES TAUGHT
At Boston College [Listed in reverse chronological order]
TMCE8002 Fundamental Moral Theology Syllabus 2015 [Updated August 21, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/TMCE8002FundamentalMoralTheologySyllabus2015.pdf
TMCE8551 Moral Authority, Conscience, Virtue and the Natural Law [Updated August 16,
2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/TMCE8551MoralAuthorityConscienceVirtueNaturalLawSyllabus2015.pdf
TMPS 8006 Ministry & Theology of the Sacrament of Reconciliation Practicum
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/TMPS8006ConfessionPracticumSyllabus.pdf
TMST 8021 Priesthood: Theology & Praxis
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/TMST8021PriesthoodCourseSyllabus.pdf
TM 726 Magisterium and Contemporary Moral Debates Seminar [2008. 2011; last updated
April 11, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/TM726MagisteriumAndContemporaryMoralDebatesBretzkeSyllabusFall2012.pdf
TM 860 Conscience and the Natural Law Seminar [2010]
TM 735 Contemporary Moral Problems in Ecumenical Perspective [2009]
TM 560 Critical Contemporary Ethical Issues [2010]
TM 509 Cross-Cultural Christian Ethics [2008]
25
TM 825 Ethics in an Ecumenical Perspective [2009]
TM 860 Conscience and the Natural Law Seminar [2010]
TM 735 Contemporary Moral Problems in Ecumenical Perspective [2009]
TM 560 Critical Contemporary Ethical Issues [2010]
TM 509 Cross-Cultural Christian Ethics [2008]
TM 825 Ethics in an Ecumenical Perspective [2009]
At Marquette University:
Theology of Christian Discipleship Theo 115 2007-08
TH 4405 & TH 5405 Christian Theology in Global Contexts: Cross-Cultural Ethics
Challenges [Wade Chair Course for Spring Semester 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/TH4405XtianTheologyInGlobalContextsCrossCulturalEthicsSyllabus2015.pdf
At the University of San Francisco: 2003-08
M.A. 20th
Century Moral Theology (USF M.A. Cohort)
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Syl06Fbretzke012865001.pdf
Catholic Moral Tradition
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Syl07Sbretzke012540501.pdf
Pathways to Spiritual Wisdom
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdomSyllabus.pdf [PDF]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdomSyllabus.htm [HTML]
Catholic Social Concerns in Theory and Practice
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSocialConcernsSyllabus.pdf [PDF Version]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSocialConcernsSyllabus.htm [HTML
Version]
At the Loyola School of Theology, Manila, Philippines: 2000-06
Fundamental Moral Theology
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LSTMoral2004Syllabus.pdf
26
Bioethics
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LSTBioethics2004Syl.pdf
Back to Top
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES
“Re-reading the Roman Tea-leaves: The Francis Effect on the Munus docendi & gubernandi of
the Church.” Academic Presentation to the College Theology Society Annual Convention 28-31
May 2015. University of Portland, Portland OR.
Building on what commentators and theologians have dubbed the “Francis effect,” this
presentation tracks how what cultural anthropologists term “fundamental values” and
“root paradigms” along with the Pope’s frequent use of what O’Malley calls epideictic
genre are operating in the Church today. Attention is also given to the phenomena of
increasing acrimony and resistance to the Francis Effect in some quarters of the Church
traditionally considered to be most loyal to the papal magisterium.
Francis Effect on Church’s Munus Docendi & Munus Gubernandi [updated May
27, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pdf [the article]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pptx [the Power
Point]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCTSFrancisEffectScript.pdf [Power Point
Script]
“Re-reading the Roman Tea-leaves: The Francis Effect on the Synods on the Family in the
Jubilee Year of Mercy.” Church in the 21st Century (C-21), Boston College, 4 November 2015.
"Mercy, and not sacrifice," are among the chief fundamental values of the Francis Effect
in the Church which the Pope envisions as a missionary field hospital that re-focuses its
attention on responding to the deepest wounds of souls desperately in need of the healing
ministrations of the Gospel. In a real sense the two-part Synod on the Family have
functioned as an extended and in-depth clinical trial over the medicine of mercy that Pope
Francis has prescribed for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year soon to begin. This talk reflects
on these themes by examining the recently concluded Synod on the Family in the context
of last year's much debated Extraordinary Synod and in light of Pope Francis's September
visits to Cuba and the United States.
Panel Presentation: "Families, Family Ethics, and the Global Future: Reflections on the Ordinary
Synod" Society of Christian Ethics Annual Convention, Toronto, January 7-10, 2016
27
In the wake of the Ordinary Synod on Marriage and Family in October 2015, as well as
the Extraordinary Synod in 2014, the Families and the Social Order interest group
welcomes four panelists to its concurrent session for an important conversation in the
area of family ethics. James Bretzke, S.J., Christina Astorga, Andrew Kim, and Jana
Bennett will reflect on the actions taken by the Catholic bishops from a variety of
perspectives that include the significance of any changes to pastoral and juridical practice,
as well as points of resonance and dissonance with the lived experience of families.
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RECENT PAST WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES
N.B. See the Curriculum Vitae for a more complete list of past Conferences
“Re-Reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family: Reflecting Back and Looking
Forward” Wade Lecture, Marquette University, Milwaukee WI 8 April 2015.
Re-reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family [updated April 8, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pptx [Power Point
Presentation version]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLecture.pdf [PDF version]
Script for “Re-reading the Roman Tea Leaves on the Synods on the Family [uploaded April 3,
2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyWadeLectureScript.pdf
Conversations That Matter: Homosexuality—A Difficult Issue For Sexual Ethics
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/ConversationsThatMatterHomosexualityADifficultIssueForSexualEthics.ppt
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry 11 November 2014
Life Matters: Reflections Extraordinary Synod on the Family See
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/edevnts/CampusEvents/PastLectures/2014/10-28-2014.html
Also see
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyBCTalk.pdf OR
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSynodOnTheFamilyBCTalk.pptx
“The Case Not Heard: Moral Methodology & the Phoenix “Abortion” Debate” Selected Session
of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) Annual Convention. St. Louis
MO, June 9, 2012.
The Phoenix Case Not Heard Moral Triangle Power Point Presentation [Uploaded May 18,
28
2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/PhoenixCaseNotHeardMoralTriangle.ppsx
Handout for the Phoenix Case Not Heard Presentation [Uploaded May 18, 2012]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CaseNotHeardMoralTriangleHandout.pdf
“A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Introducing Cross-Cultural Ethics in the Context of
Religious Pluralism.” Georgetown University Pluralism Conference. May 23-26, 2012.
Electronic Version of Presentation Handout (with live links): https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeCrossCulturalEthicsGeorgetownHandout.pdf
Cross-Cultural Perspectives Power Point Presentation ]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/CrossCulturalPerspectivesBC.ppsx
Also available on Microsoft Sky at https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=64c940397388ea82&sc=documents&id=6
4C940397388EA82%21105
Cross-Cultural Ethics in a Context of Pluralism & Multiculturalism: Teaching Where
Religion and Ethics Intersect Paper Delivered 15 March 2012 to the New England Maritime and
Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention of the American Academy of Religion, New Brunswick NJ
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeTeachingCrossCulturalEthicsPaperRegionalAARMarch2012.pdf [uploaded
March 7, 2012]
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Selected Articles by James T. Bretzke, S.J.
“After the Choice: The Church’s Post-Abortion Outreach to Women” Co-authored with
Monika Rodman. America 181 (6 November 1999): 14-19.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeRodmanAfterTheChoice.pdf
This article details the post-abortion outreach program used in the Oakland
Diocese in light of the Church's pastoral mission to those who have suffered
through abortions.
“A Burden of Means: An Overlooked Aspect of the Terri Schiavo PVS Debate.” Landas 18/2
(2004): 211-230.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeBurdenOfMeansLandas.pdf
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The struggle over the removal of the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman
who has been in a PVS condition for thirteen years, has occasioned a great deal of
attention and debate in the ethical, political, and religious arenas. Numerous op ed pieces
and longer position papers have appeared over the last several months. The Catholic
Bishops of Florida have also entered the fray with a statement which seems to come down
on the side of Terri’s parents and Governor Jeb Bush. However, the Florida Bishops’
statement also seems either to have overlooked, or rendered a rather problematic
assessment in regards to an important dimension of the traditional principle of ordinary
and extraordinary means which has been widely employed in health care ethics. This
overlooked aspect is the notion of burden of treatment. This article gives a brief rehearsal
of the ordinary/extraordinary means principle as it relates to the Terri Schiavo case and
provide of brief summary of some of the representative assessments that have appeared in
the press. The major focus of the article, though, will center in on the notion of burden of
treatment and will use a position adopted by the Philippine Bishops in the Filipino
Catechism to critique the position adopted by the Florida Bishops. Furthermore, the
conflicting ecclesial positions will also help to illustrate in greater depth some of the
issues regarding the claims and competencies of Church authorities when they enter into a
particular case with the aim of providing moral guidance.
“A Burden Of Means--Interpreting Recent Catholic Magisterial Teaching on End-of-Life
Issues” Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics 60/2 (Fall/Winter 2006): 183-200.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeBurdenOfMeansInterpretingMagisterialEndOfLifeTeachings.pdf
Was awarded the “Best Article in 2006” award by the College Theology Society.
This article first presents general guidelines for interpreting magisterial documents
using Lumen gentium’s triple criteria of considering the character, manner, and
frequency of magisterial teaching in order to better determine the relative
authority and weight of the magisterial teaching. Next these criteria are applied to
a careful reading of the Pope John Paul II’s various documents that deal with end-
of-life issues, especially his controverted March 2004 Address to the Participants
in the International Congress on "Life-sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State:
Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas. This analysis concludes that the Pope
did not in fact assert that artificial hydration and nutrition had to be used in
virtually every medical case, such as patients diagnosed to be in a persistent
vegetative state.
"The Common Good in a Cross-Cultural Perspective Insights from the Confucian Moral
Community." In Religion, Ethics & the Common Good, 83-105. Annual Publication of
the College Theology Society, 41. Edited by James Donahue and Theresa Moser. Mystic
CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1996.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCommonGood.pdf
30
Recent discussion concerning multiculturalism, pluralism, globalization of ethics
and the prospects for a "common morality" all provide a challenging context for
critical ethical reflection on the notions of the common good as these are found in
various cultural and religious traditions. This article investigates the possibility of
enriching our liberal Western notion of the common good from a cross-cultural
perspective afforded by Confucianism and what might be called the Confucian
notion of the "common good," even though the precise terminological equivalent
is not found in the Confucian literature or philosophical tradition. An original
exposition of the notion of the common good exegeted from the Confucian canon
is presented and discussed in reference to the Confucian cardinal virtues, the
notion of the chün-tzu (paradigmatic moral individual); the four cardinal virtues of
jen, yi, li, and chih; an understanding of community as fiduciary; and the moral
force of the notion of the T'ien-ming or Mandate of Heaven.
"Cracking the Code: Minjung Theology as an Expression of the Holy Spirit in Korea."
Pacifica 10 (October 1997): 319-330.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCrackingTheCode.pdf
Minjung theology's development Korea as an indigenous theology of liberation is
a genuine response to the Holy Spirit in Asia's fastest growing Christian
population, though not without its problematic elements and critics. This article
reflects on the inculturation of minjung theology in terms of a five-stage
framework suggested by the Pentecost account in Acts 2:1-42.
"Cultural Particularity & Globalization of Ethics in the Light of Inculturation” Pacifica 9
(1996): 69-86.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCulturalParticularity.pdf
Increased interest in the so-called "globalization of ethics" has led to a number of
studies which utilize various hermeneutical and communicative theories to sketch
out viable paradigms for developing a fundamental Christian ethics as a whole, as
well as its various components such as moral reasoning, which together would be
capable of entering into and maintaining such discourse. The accent of most of
these studies falls on the universalizability of ethical discourse and scant attention
has been given to the cultural particularity of each and every ethos and ethical
system. This article briefly rehearses the principal elements of the concerns raised
by the globalization of ethics and then focuses on the particularity of culture
using insights from both cultural anthropology and inculturation. The Confucian
context of Korea is employed to illustrate some of the issues raised by greater
attention to cultural particularity.
“Ecumenical Ethics in the Historical Context of Vatican II Moral Theology.” Josephinum
Journal of Theology 6 (Summer/Fall 1999): 18-38.
31
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeEcumenicalEthics.pdf
This article considers the historical context and continued prospects, principally
from the Roman Catholic perspective, for the possibility of ecumenical
collaboration in the field of Christian ethics. Vatican II is taken as a watershed
period for a backward and forward look at such ecumenical efforts. Before
Vatican II the atmosphere was marked among both Catholics and Protestants more
by polemics and mutual misunderstanding. However, the Council itself, as well
as several of its key documents, indicate a paradigm shift in the whole attitude
toward ecumenism in general, as well as in the particular approaches Roman
Catholic moralists take to their elaboration of fundamental Christian ethics.
Several Conciliar documents are briefly analyzed, and a number of other key
paradigm shifts in Roman Catholic moral theology are discussed in order to
describe a more positive future agenda for continued efforts in ecumenical
Christian ethics.
“The Ethicist Is In” (Catholic Teaching on ANH). Ethical Times Bulletin of the Program in
Medicine and Human Values. 15 (Summer 2008): 2-3.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeEthicistIsInEthicalTimes15Summer08.pdf
Response to a concrete case study which involves an analysis of how to apply Catholic
bioethical principles on ordinary and extraordinary means to a elderly terminally ill patient
who has additionally suffered from a stroke and is incapacitated.
Francis Effect on Church’s Munus Docendi & Munus Gubernandi [uploaded May 7, 2015]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pdf [the article]
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeFrancisEffectOnChurch.pptx [the Power Point]
Building on what commentators and theologians have dubbed the “Francis effect,” this
presentation tracks how the Pope’s frequent use of what O’Malley calls epideictic genre
is trickling down and how the Vatican culture may be changing in some key ways. This
hypothesis will be tested by carefully analyzing the October 2014 Extraordinary Synod of
the Family documents and discussions, the November 2014 USCCB bishops meeting in
Baltimore, some key episcopal and dicasterial appointments, as well as some recent
documents such as the International Theological Commission’s Sensus Fidei in the Life
of the Church as well. The paper will conclude with a look forward to the upcoming
“regular” tri-ennial Synod on the Family scheduled for October 2015.
“How Can Ethics Be Christian? What the Pontifical Biblical Commission Might Offer in
Response.” Bible Today 48:4 (July/August 2010): 209-215.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeHowCanEthicsBeChristianPBCResponseBibleTodayJuly2010.pdf
This article, which is part of a dedicated issue celebrating fifty years of the
32
Pontifical Biblical Commission, explores how the 2008 document from the
Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Bible and Morality: Biblical Roots of
Christian Conduct, might contribute to Vatican II’s mandate that Scripture be
truly the soul of all theology and that moral theology in particular be more
nourished by the Bible.
“Human Rights or Human Rites?: A Confucian Cross-Cultural Perspective.” East Asian
Pastoral Review 41/1 (2003): 44-67.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeHumanRightsOrHumanRitesEAPIArticle.pdf
This article is an expanded version of “Human Rights or Human Rites? A Challenge of
Sacred Texts and Traditions to Global Moral Discourse” Conference Proceedings of
Faithful/Fateful Encounters: Religion and Cultural Exchanges Between Asia and the
West. Beijing and Berkeley.
“Human Rights or Human Rites? Insights from Cross-Cultural Ethics” In Faithful/Fateful
Encounters: Religion and Cultural Exchanges Between Asia and the West: Proceedings
From an International Conference, 458-475. Edited by Zhuo Xinping, Judith Berling,
and Philip Wickeri. Beijing: Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of World
Religions, 2005.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeHumanRightsCrossCulturalInsightsChapter.pdf
Recent discussion concerning the globalization of ethics and the prospects for a
common morality, as well as related issues such as inculturation, pluralism, and
multiculturalism all provide a challenging context for critical ethical reflection on
the notions of human rights as these are found in various cultural and religious
traditions. This article focuses on a cross-cultural discussion of human rights by
considering the Confucian understanding of human rights as human rituals whose
sacred claim is grounded in the notion of relationality based on the Confucian
Five Relationships and the virtues of li (propriety) and hsin (fidelity). The article
argues that Confucianism is a positive resource for both inter-religious dialogue
and cross-cultural ethics and concludes by outlining some prospects for using the
Confucian notion of human dignity, rights and the common good to further
discussion on multi-culturalism, inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue.
“The Lesser Evil: Insights from the Catholic Moral Tradition.” America (26 March 2007): 16-
18.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeLesserEvilAmerica26March07.pdf
Part of a special issue devoted to the theological issues of good and evil. This
article briefly outlines the various principles in the Catholic moral tradition that
permit doing evil to achieve good, namely cooperation, tolerance, double effect
and then focuses on what is often the most problematic principle, the minus
malum (or lesser evil) principle.
33
“Life Matters: 6 ‘C’s’ of Moral Discourse” New Theology Review 15 (May 2002): 48-59.
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LifeMatters6Cs.pdf
One of the problems in establishing a common ground is the lack of evaluative
criteria for moral discourse and dialogue for such hot-button issues. This article
proposes six key evaluative criteria which can be applied to all of the various
positions in the abortion debate, as well as other concrete moral issues. The article
develops and tests each of these criteria, applying them to representative positions
on both sides of the abortion debate and concludes by offering some concrete
suggestions for better articulating a common ground position which must be used
together in addressing concrete moral problems.
"Minjung Theology and Inculturation in the Context of the History of Christianity in
Korea." East Asian Pastoral Review 28 (1991): 108-130.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeMinjungTheologyAndInculturationInKoreaEAPR1991.pdf
Discusses the Korean version of liberation theology, minjung theology, in the
historical context of the development of Christianity in the Korean Peninsula.
“Moral Theology Out of Asia” Theological Studies 61 (March 2000): 106-121.
Digested version in Tinig Loyola (Quezon City, Philippines) 2 (September 2000): 11-14; 29-29
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeMoralTheologyOutOfAsia.pdf
Review of some of the main issues, recent developments and contributions of
Christian ethicians and others working in East Asia. Special attention is paid to
the recent Synod on Asia.
“A New Pentecost for Moral Theology: The Challenge of Inculturation of Ethics.”
Josephinum 10:2 (Summer/Fall 2003): 250-260.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeNewPentecost.pdf
Suggests that a principal task for the discipline of moral theology at the beginning of the
twenty-first century will be to engage the challenge of developing a cross-cultural ethics
which will recognize first that a certain plurality of views on important moral concepts
such as virtue, duty, the common good, the natural law, etc. is a positive value in itself,
rather than an obstacle to be overcome, side-stepped, or obliterated, and second, that a
process of cross-cultural dialogue based on mutual respect for the various cultures will
facilitate the cultivation of the richness of this moral pluralism. If such an approach is
adopted and followed then ethical pluralism itself can be transformed and we shall be
able to move from a pluralism of "co-existence" in which several moral outlooks exist
along-side one another, and whose primary moral claim is for mutual tolerance, to a
34
healthier pluralism whose central value is better expressed by the metaphor of "cross-
fertilization." Through ethical cross-fertilization a fuller understanding of the richness
and complexity of the moral world would develop both within individual cultures as well
as across cultures as well as to help correct some persistent and tenacious problems
connected with the darker side of any culture's moral world-view and ethical values and
practices.
"The Notion of Sincerity (Ch'eng) from a Neo-Confucian Metaphysical Perspective." Co-
authored with Luke Jong-Hyeok Sim. Acta Koreana 4 (2001): 77-94.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSimNotionOfSincerity.pdf
Often Neo-Confucianism has been studied primarily through the lens of concepts
such as tao or ri. While Tao and ri provide a metaphysical basis for Neo-
Confucian thought, they suffer from a certain lack of clarity due to the Taoist and
Buddhist influences these concepts invariably carry. Moreover, tao and ri lack an
adequate epistemological basis which would translate the ideals contained in
Confucian thought into the practical moral living which had always been the goal
and hallmark of Confucianism from its earliest days. An in-depth study of the
Confucian notion of sincerity (ch'eng) can remedy these deficiencies by providing
a more unified understanding of not only this concept itself, but also of Neo-
Confucian thought as a whole. Furthermore, using sincerity as the hermeneutical
key for Confucian metaphysics will facilitate the movement to an epistemology
which in turn will translate more easily the Confucian ideals into the life of moral
cultivation exemplified in the concept of sagehood.
"The Notion of Sincerity (Ch'eng) in The Confucian Classics." Co-authored with Luke Jong-
Hyeok Sim. Journal of Chinese Philosophy 21 (1994): 179-212.
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SincereConfucian.pdf
Discusses the concept of Sincerity (Ch'eng) in the Great Learning and Doctrine of
the Mean in relation to moral cultivation in Confucian philosophy.
“Re-Reading the Tea-leaves of Moral Theology 50 Years after Vatican II.” Essay for "Vatican II
and the Future of the Church" Internet Conference and published online August 6, 2015 at
http://wakeuplazarus.net/v2/ESSAYS/bretzke.html
“Scripture and Ethics: Core, Context, and Coherence” In Moral Theology: New Directions
and Fundamental Issues. Essays in Honor of James Hanigan. Edited by James Keating.
New York: Paulist Press, 2004.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeScriptureEthicsCoreContextCoherence.pdf
“Scripture, The Soul of Moral Theology? -- The Second Stage." Irish Theological Quarterly
60 (1994): 259-271.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
35
bretzke/BretzkeScriptureSoulOfMoralTheology2ndStageITQ1994.pdf
The initial response of Vatican II's call in Optatam totius for greater attention to
Scripture in all moral theology, might be termed a "First Stage," in which both
ethicians and exegetes tried to highlight better the ethical dimension of Scripture
better in their respective disciplines and to allow Scripture as a whole to nourish
theology more completely. However, now we need to move beyond this First
Stage to a Second and Third Stage. This Second Stage, which is the focus of this
article, suggests a reconsideration of some of the relevant documents from
Vatican II, especially Optatam totius and Dei verbum, in order to ground better
our reflections on the integration of Scripture with theology as whole, and moral
theology in particular. The article concludes by outlining some of the issues, such
as the authority of Scripture and the problematic of hermeneutics, which still need
to be addressed if Scripture is truly to nourish our Roman Catholic moral
theology. Finally, this Second Stage itself points to the necessity of a Third Stage
in which reflection will center development of a concrete and practical
methodology for the use of Scripture in Christian ethics.
“Spirituality USA: Surveying the Scene.” In Living Theology: the Intersection of Culture,
Spirituality, and Theology in Asia and the Pacific, 4-12. Edited by Jose Mario C.
Francisco, S.J. Manila: Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania, 2001.
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityUSA.pdf
Originally given as a paper presented to the JCEAO Theological Study Week, July
23-27, 2001, East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI),Quezon City, Philippines.
"The Tao of Confucian Virtue Ethics." International Philosophical Quarterly 35 (1995): 25-
41.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeTaoOfConfucianVirtueEthics.pdf
Investigates the key aspects of the Confucian virtue ethics in relation to the
notions of the chün-tzu (Superior Person), the Five Relationships of society, the
particular Confucian virtues of jen (benevolence) and li (propriety), the moral
vision of the tao (Way), and the understanding of the t'ien-ming (Mandate of
Heaven). The thesis of the article is that the moral matrix provided by the web of
social relationships is what allows the Confucian ethics of virtue to function well.
“Teaching Across the Cultural Digital Divide: Cross-Cultural Christian Ethics on the
Pacific Rim”
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EthicsAcrossTheDivide.pdf
Cross-Cultural Ethics in a Context of Pluralism & Multiculturalism: Teaching Where
Religion and Ethics Intersect Paper Delivered 15 March 2012 to the New England Maritime and
Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention of the American Academy of Religion, New Brunswick NJ
36
https://www2.bc.edu/james-
bretzke/BretzkeTeachingCrossCulturalEthicsPaperRegionalAARMarch2012.pdf [uploaded
March 7, 2012]
Theology of Accompaniment as a Post-Minjung Theology in Korea. Presentation to the
Korean Religions Group of the American Academy of Religion Annual Convention 22-
25 November 2003 Atlanta.
Theology of Accompaniment in Korea Essay [Uploaded November 11, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TheologyAccompanimentEssay.pdf
Theology of Accompaniment in Korea Power Point Presentation [Uploaded November
11, 2003]
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TheologyAccompaniment.htm
“Through Thick And Thin: Teaching Ethics in a Cross-cultural Perspective” Horizons 27
(Spring 2000): 63-80.
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeCreativeTeachingHorizons.pdf
As the 20th
century closes our universities, theological centers and even seminary
settings, can no longer presume a homogeneous religious and cultural academic
community among either students or professors. This fact, coupled with recent
discussion concerning the globalization of ethics and the prospects for a common
morality, as well as related issues such as inculturation, pluralism, and multi-
culturalism all provide a challenging context for critical reflection on how
religious ethics can and should be done in these universities, theological centers
and seminaries. This article outlines both some of the major concerns raised in
teaching ethics from cross-cultural, ecumenical, and inter-religious perspectives in
the United States, as well as developing a coherent methodology which is
grounded in the theological tradition of Christian ethics, but which seeks to
integrate these different perspectives. As a practical example of how a concrete
course might be developed for undergraduate, graduate, and seminary settings I
utilize a course I have designed entitled "Cross-Cultural Christian Ethics" which I
have taught regularly at the Jesuit School of Theology/Graduate Theological
Union in Berkeley. The participants in these courses reflect a diverse background
both theological and culturally and thus may provide a reasonable microcosm of
many of our contemporary academic institutions. Critical evaluation of the
course's theological and pedagogical premises, as well as discussion on the
students' participation and feedback on the course, hopefully will stimulate further
reflection on both the theological issues connected with doing cross-cultural ethics
in the Christian theological tradition as well as aiding concrete curricular
development in this area.
William Spohn’s Contribution to Moral Theology
37
https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeSpohnPanelColor.pdf
Originally presented as a paper in a panel at the Catholic Theological Society of America
(CTSA) Annual Convention, Selected Paper, 10 June 2006. San Antonio, TX.
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