This book explores convergences and divergences between process thought and Roman Catholicism. It examines why process philosophy and process theology have had a minimal impact in Roman Catholic circles compared to Protestantism, and investigates avenues of promising engagement between process thought and Roman Catholicism.

This collection of essays explores convergences and divergences between process thought and Roman Catholicism with the goal of identifying reasons for why process philosophy and theology has not had the same impact in Roman Catholic circles as in Protestantism, and of constructively navigating avenues of promising engagement between Process thought and Roman Catholicism. In creatively considering the Roman Catholic tradition from the vantage point of Process thought, different theoretical perspectives are brought to bear on Catholic characteristics of historical theology, fundamental theology, systematic theology, moral theology, social justice, and theology of religions. While the contributors draw upon a broad range of resources from the disciplines of the physical and social sciences, philosophy, and ethics from a process perspective, the primary methodology employed is theological reflection.

Introduction: “Catholic Theology” by John B. Cobb, Jr.

Chapter 1: “Does Process Theology Rest on a Mistake?” by David B. Burrell, C. S. C.

Chapter 2: “Process Theology and the Catholic Theological Community” by J. J. Mueller, S. J.

Chapter 3: “Duns Scotus, Catholicity and the Roots of Process Thought” by Ilia Delio, O. S. F.

Chapter 4: “Charles Hartshorne and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition” by Daniel A. Dombrowski

Chapter 5: “A Catholic Approach to Process Philosophy” by Maria-Teresa Teixeira

Chapter 6: “Balancing Permanence and Change in a Systems-Oriented Metaphysics” by Joseph A. Bracken, S. J.

Chapter 7: “A Process Interpretation of Creatio ex Nihilo” by Thomas E. Hosinski, C. S. C.

Chapter 8: “Whitehead’s View on Incarnation and the Co-Inherence of God and the World” by Palmyre Oomen

Chapter 9: “The Eucharistic Experience: Process Theology and Sacramental Theology” by Thomas Schärtl

Chapter 10: “Babbling on About Pluralism: The Catholicity of Pluralism” by John Becker

Chapter 11: “Aquinas, Whitehead, and the Metaphysics of Morals: The Debate over Intrinsically Evil Acts” by Marc A. Pugliese

Chapter 12: “The Philosophy of Organism and Integral Ecology: Wisdom, Whitehead, and Pope Francis” by Leo D. Lefebure

Afterword: “Discovering Process (Again)” by Thomas P. Rausch, S. J.