Now in its third edition, A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching has been updated to include major statements from Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home), and Amoris Laetittia (On Love in the Family).

The chapters in Catholic social teaching are presented thematically: “Life and Dignity of the Human Person”; “Call to Family, Community, and Participation”; “Rights and Responsibilities”; “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable”; “Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers”; “Solidarity”; and “Care for God's Creation.” Each chapter provides a brief introduction to the theme and offers summaries of major papal documents and USCC episcopal statements, making it a very helpful reference especially for teachers and pastoral ministers. The scope of current social justice questions and urgent moral issues can feel overwhelming for parishioners and students (likewise for their ministers and teachers), and McKenna offers a place to start to try to make sense of it all and to see how the tradition speaks prophetically to the signs of the times.

McKenna does not offer commentary, critique, or much historical context for the documents and is clear that the goals of A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching are pastoral. Each chapter concludes with a series of discussion questions that both help to gauge understanding of the themes and prompt reflection on personal and communal responses to practical justice issues. The book includes a number of helpful appendices designed to aid in preaching and liturgical practice: a Homily and Catechetical Message Guide that aligns readings and the liturgical calendar with the themes; a Sample Penance Service; very brief papal biographies; and a chart of historical milestones that illustrates emergence of the documents in light of other world events. There is also a glossary of terms and suggested readings and resources. Given that A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching is an invitation to study Catholic social teaching more deeply, the suggested readings could be updated and could include more diverse voices who engage with the teaching in scholarly and pedagogical literature. Such enhancement could make the text even more helpful for lesson plan and syllabi preparation.

The organization, length, and affordability make this an ideal resource in pastoral and catechetical settings for ministers (especially those engaged in service and social justice work), teachers, and preachers. In the high school classroom and introductory college course settings, A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching would be especially welcome in bringing students with less background up to speed and give them an accessible place to turn to learn about the “best kept secret.”