Gay & Lesbian Rights by Richard Peddicord

'Richard Peddicord convincingly challenges those within the Catholic community in the United States who deny the civil rights of lesbians & gays on the basis of Catholic sexual teaching. Peddicord correctly emphasizes the important distinction between morality & legality & sees the Catholic social justice tradition as supporting civil rights for lesbians & gays,' Charles E. Curran, Elizabeth Schurlock University Professor of Human Values, Southern Methodist University. 'This book is unique in selling the question of homosexuality in its historical, legal, political & religious contexts in North America. It is no longer possible in Catholic ethics to address sexual morality with a model of absolute moral norms, immune from the ambiguities & complexities social justice issues introduce. Peddicord looks at the personal & social sides of homosexuality, & fairly examines all sides of the Roman Catholic response,' Lisa Sowle Cahill, Professor of Christian Ethics, Boston College. 'Instead of stoking the usual raging & out-of-control fires concerning the morality of private homosexual activity, this book should foster sane & productive dialogue on the basic human rights of homosexual persons,' Edward Vacek, S.J., Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Weston Jesuit School of Theology.