USF LIST OF MORAL THEOLOGY WEB-PAGE DOCUMENTS

Prepared by Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D.

 Professor of Moral Theology: Department of Theology & Religious Studies

University of San Francisco

2600 Turk Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94118-4347

 

AFTER August 25, 2008:

 

Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

140 Commonwealth Avenue

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3800

E-mail: jbretzke@jesuitswisprov.org

Web-site: http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/

 

 

Click here for USF e-mail

 

 

Office (Department of Theology & Religious Studies): 415-422-5298

(Jesuit Community Switchboard): 415-422-4200

Fax: (Department of Theology & Religious Studies): 415-422-5356

Fax: (Jesuit Community): 415-422-5651 

 

N.B. For the academic year of 2007-2008 Fr. Bretzke is a visiting professor of theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Beginning with the Fall Semester of 2008 Fr. Bretzke will be leaving USF and joining Boston College’s Ecclesiastical Faculty of its School of Theology and Ministry.

 

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry Web-Page:

http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/home.html

 

Marquette University’s Department of Theology Web-Page:

http://www.marquette.edu/theology/

 

USF Department of Theology & Religious Studies Web-Page: http://artsci.usfca.edu/servlet/DeptWelcome?deptID=20

 

Driving Directions to the Jesuit Community (Loyola House) at the University of San Francisco:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LoyolaHouseDirections.htm

 

Biographical Snapshot

 

Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. is currently Professor of Moral Theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco where he also served as Department Chair from 2004-07.  He did his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he also taught for three years, prior to coming to the Graduate Theological Union and the Jesuit School of Theology-at-Berkeley in 1993, where he taught for a decade before joining the faculty of the University of San Francisco.  He has also taught for several years in Korea at Sogang University and is a regular Visiting Professor Moral Theology at the Loyola School of Theology of the Ateneo de Manila, Philippines where he teaches Moral Theology and Bioethics.  He has published in various aspects of moral theology over sixty articles and reviews, plus four books, including most recently A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology (Liturgical Press, 2004).  Besides teaching Fr. Bretzke has worked for 13 years on weekends at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Oakland, and is very active in giving workshops in various aspects of moral theology throughout the dioceses of California and Nevada.  For the academic year 2007-2008 he is serving as visiting professor in the Department of Theology at Marquette University in his native Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Commencing with the 2008 academic year Fr. Bretzke will be Professor of Moral Theology in the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Boston College’s graduate School of Theology and Ministry.

 

Fr. Bretzke’s Curriculum Vitae:  N.B.: All URLs are CASE SENSITIVE!

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeCVAll.pdf  [PDF Version] Updated June 7, 2007]

 

Fr. Bretzke’s Loyola School of Theology, Manila, PHILIPPINES Web-Site [active during his Summer Session teaching]

http://www.LST.edu/prof/jbretzke/LSTWebIndex.htm

 

Jump to LATEST UPDATES to this Web-Page [As of March 30, 2008]

 

 Jump To COURSES TAUGHT

 

Jump to UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

 

Jump to RECENT WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES GIVEN

 

Jump to SEMINAR AIDS AND/OR CLASS NOTES

 

Jump to RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHIES

 

Jump to POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS (Organized Thematically)

 

Jump to SELECTED ARTICLES authored by James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D.

 

 

LATEST UPDATES as of March 30, 2008

 

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]

 

 

Justice, Social Sin & Reconciliation in Catholic Social Teaching

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/JusticeInCatholicSocialTeaching.htm

 

Catholic Health Care Decision-making Principles [uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicHealthCareDecisionPrinciples.htm

 

Catholic Sex Birth Ethics [Uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSexBirthEthics.htm

 

Stem Cells Liminal Debates [Uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/StemCellsLiminalDebates.htm

 

Scripture and Ethics Interactive Exercise [Revised March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsExercise.htm

 

Catholic Eucharist Explained [Uploaded 12 February 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicEucharistExplained.htm

 

 

Models of the Church and Faith [Uploaded 10 February 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ModelsOfTheChurchAndFaith.htm

 

 

Christian Discipleship Spirituality [Uploaded 8 January 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ChristianDiscipleshipSpirituality.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.

 

Decoding 1 Corinthians 6:9 [Uploaded November 9, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Decoding1Corinthians6.htm

 

 

Scripture and Ethics Interactive Exercise [Revised March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsExercise.htm

 

 

 

 

 

COURSES TAUGHT 2004-2008

 

At Marquette University: 2007-08

 

Theology of Christian Discipleship Theo 115

 

Study Questions for A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralComplexQuestions.pdf [PDF Version] http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralComplexQuestions.htm [HTML Version]

 

Spirituality for Christian Living Power Point Presentation

http://www.usfca.edu./fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForChristianLiving.htm

 

Spirituality for Christian Living Reflection Questions

http://www.usfca.edu./fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForChristianLivingQuestions.pdf

 

 

Moral Methodology for Discipleship

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyForDiscipleship.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodologyForDiscipleshipPrint.pdf [For note-taking]

 

Glossary of Moral Terms Defined

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/GlossaryDefined.pdf

 

Ignatian Sites & Sights Power Point Presentation

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/IgnatianSites&Sights.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]

 

Scripture and Ethics Interactive Exercise [Revised March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsExercise.htm

 

At the University of San Francisco:

  

Offered Annually:

M.A. 20th Century Moral Theology (USF M.A. Cohort)

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Syl06Fbretzke012865001.pdf

 

Offered Annually In the Spring Semester:

 

Catholic Moral Tradition

 

Course Syllabus

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Syl07Sbretzke012540501.pdf

 

 

Courses Offered Once:

 

Spring Semester 2006:

Pathways to Spiritual Wisdom

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdomSyllabus.pdf [PDF]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdomSyllabus.htm [HTML]

 

Spring Semester 2005

 

Catholic Social Concerns in Theory and Practice

Course Syllabus [Uploaded January 20, 2005]

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 (Summer 2004)

 

Summer Semester 2004

 

Fundamental Moral Theology

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LSTMoral2004Syllabus.pdf

 

Bioethics

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/LSTBioethics2004Syl.pdf

 

 

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

 

Diocese of Sacramento Deacons Formation Program

15-16 March 2008

 

Catholic Health Care Decision-making Principles [uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicHealthCareDecisionPrinciples.htm

 

Catholic Sex Birth Ethics [Uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CatholicSexBirthEthics.htm

 

Stem Cells Liminal Debates [Uploaded March 2, 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/StemCellsLiminalDebates.htm

 

 

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RECENT WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES GIVEN IN THE PAST ACADEMIC YEAR

 

Diocese of Las Vegas Adult Formation Program

19-21 October 2007

 

Diocese of Reno Permanent Diaconate Formation Program

29 September 2007

 

Morally Complex World Deacons Formation Workshop Power Point

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldDeaconsNoteFile.pdf

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldDeacons.htm

 

 

Diocese of Sacramento Permanent Diaconate Formation Program

Weekend Workshop on Catholic Social Teaching May 25-27, 2007

 

Catholic Social Teaching Overview [Uploaded April 16, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SocialEthicsOverview.htm

 

Homelessness & the Moral Triangle [Uploaded April 16, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/HomelessMoralTriangle.htm

 

20 Questions on Catholic Moral Tradition and Teaching [For Use as a Pre-test]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeaching.pdf

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeaching.htm

 

Answers to the 20 Questions, with brief explanations:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20AnswersOnCatholicMoralTeaching.pdf

 

Pathways to Spiritual Wisdom: Teaching with Tendzin Choegyal Power Point Presentation [

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PathwaysToSpiritualWisdomTeachingWithTC.htm

Presentation to the Western Region of the American Academy of Religion Annual Convention 26 March 2007, Religions in Asia Section, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA

 

Morally Complex World Santa Barbara Deacons [uploaded March 23, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MorallyComplexWorldSantaBarbaraDeacons.htm

Presented to the Diocese of Santa Barbara Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, Santa Barbara, CA 24 March 2007

 

Archdiocese of San Francisco Deaconate Formation Program

 

Making Difficult Moral Decisions in Conscience [uploaded March 2, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MakingDifficultMoralDecisionsInConscience.htm

 

Moral Methodology Introduction Power Point Presentation

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodology.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralMethodology.pdf

 

Conscience and Fundamental Option

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceFundamentalOption.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConscienceFundamentalOption.pdf

 

Natural Law, Moral Agency, and Good & Principles

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/NaturalLawMoralAgency.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/NaturalLawMoralAgency.pdf

 

Confronting Sin and Moral Failure in a Morally Complex World

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConfrontingSin.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ConfrontingSin.pdf

 

Magisterium & Moral Teaching Power Point Presentation

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Magisterium.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Magisterium.pdf

 

Magisterial Exegesis Guidelines:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.htm [HTML Version]

 

 

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SEMINAR AIDS AND/OR CLASS NOTES

 

20 Questions on Catholic Moral Tradition and Teaching [For Use as a Pre-test]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeaching.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20QuestionsOnCatholicMoralTeaching.htm [HTML Version]

 

Answers to the 20 Questions, with brief explanations:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/20AnswersOnCatholicMoralTeaching.pdf

Advance Health Care Directive Sample (As used by Jesuits in the California Province)

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AdvanceDirective.htm

 

Bible and Homosexuality Class Notes [Uploaded November 5, 2003]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Bible&Homosexuality.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Bible&Homosexuality.html  [HTML Version]

 

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

 

Bretzke’s Commentary on Thomas Aquinas’ Treatise on the Natural Law

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AquinasBretzkeNaturalLaw.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AquinasBretzkeNaturalLaw.htm [HTML Version]

For only the text of Thomas Aquinas’ treatise on natural law without the commentary go to http://www.newadvent.org/summa/209400.htm

 

Case of Kevin and Steve (HIV+ Partners) [Used as a Class Exercise for the Moral Triangle Analysis]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/KevinSteveHIVCase.PDF

 

Counseling Points: Do’s and Don’ts of Pastoral Counseling [Uploaded April 19, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CounselingPoints.PDF

 

Ecumenical Ethics Course Notes:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeEcumenicalEthicsCourse.PDF [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeEcumenicalEthicsCourseNotes.htm  [HTML Version]

 

These are some old course notes, in outline form, which I used in teaching a course in ecumenical approaches to Christian ethics at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley some ten years ago. I had not taught this particular course since then, so the materials are obviously a decade out of date. Nevertheless, some of the basic notes, especially the more historical sections, I think would still be valid and might be of background interest.

 

Fundamental Moral Theology Notes

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/FundamentalMoralNotes.PDF [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralComplexClassNotes.htm [HTML version]

 

Glossary of Moral Terms Defined [uploaded March 7, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/GlossaryDefined.pdf

 

Guidelines for Interpreting Teachings and Documents of the Magisterium

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.pdf

 

Magisterial Exegesis Guidelines:

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.htm [HTML Version]

  

Magisterium Class Notes

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisteriumNotes.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisteriumNotes.htm [HTML Version]

 

Questions to the Moralist [Last updated October 2, 2005]

[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.  All of the questions are actual cases given to me]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/QuestionsToTheMoralist.pdf

 

Study Questions for A Morally Complex World: Engaging Contemporary Moral Theology

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralComplexQuestions.pdf [PDF Version] [Uploaded January 16, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralComplexQuestions.htm [HTML Version] [Uploaded January 16, 2004]

 

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

 

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Online Web Resources [uploaded October 20, 2003]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/UNRightsDeclarationResources.html

 

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Research 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 the 2004 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.  It was compiled to aid graduate students who wished to pursue this theme in conjunction with a course research paper.

 

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: [Updated June 3, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BioethicsBibliography.pdf

 

This bibliography is organized thematically, and includes both general works, as well as sections on specific issues such as health care, genetics, stem cells, end-of-life concerns, including euthanasia.

 

Ecumenical Ethics Bibliography

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/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.

 

 

Human Rights Bibliography

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/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.

 

Scripture and Ethics Bibliography (Published by Edwin Mellen Press, 1997; revised and expanded electronic version: February 25, 2004)

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsBib.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ScriptureEthicsBib.htm [HTML Version]

 

Print version published by Edwin Mellen Press, 1997; revised and expanded electronic version here online.

 

Sexual Ethics Bibliography

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexualEthicsBibliography.pdf [PDF Version]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SexualEthicsBibliography.htm [HTML Version uploaded October 18, 2004]

 

This bibliography is organized thematically and brings together ecumenical approaches to various aspects of human sexual ethics.

 

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 encylicals.

 

War and Peace Bibliography

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/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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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

 

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 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

 

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

 

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

 

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 Ethical Perspectives Power Point Presentation [Uploaded May 9, 2004; Revised with music added November 7, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CrossCulturalPerspectives.htm

 

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

 

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

 

 

Miscellaneous Presentations

 

Christmas 2004 Year in Photos Power Point Presentation

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeXmas2004.htm

 

Magisterium & Moral Teaching Power Point Presentation [updated August 23, 2004]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Magisterium.htm

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Magisterium.pdf

 

 Making Good Political Choices in a Morally Complex World

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PoliticalChoices.htm

 

Models of the Church and Faith [Uploaded 10 February 2008]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/ModelsOfTheChurchAndFaith.htm

 

 

Moral Agency, Concepts, Norms and Natural Law

 

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

 

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 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 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 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]

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, 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

 

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-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 [Uploaded November 9, 2007]

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/Decoding1Corinthians6.htm

 

 

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

 

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]

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

 

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

 

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

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 LivingReflection Questions

http://www.usfca.edu./fac-staff/bretzkesj/SpiritualityForChristianLivingQuestions.pdf

 

 

Student Power Point Presentations

 

Contemporary Moral Problems Class

 

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

 

 SELECTED ARTICLES authored by James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D.

 

“After the Choice: The Church’s Post-Abortion Outreach to Women” Co-authored with Monika Rodman. America 181 (6 November 1999): 14-19.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/AfterTheChoice.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

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BurdenOfMeans.pdf

 

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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/InterpretingMagisterialEndOfLifeTeachings.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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CommonGood.pdf

 

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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CrackingCode.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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CulturalParticularity.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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/EcumenicalEthicsShift.pdf [Uploaded April 6, 2004

 

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. 

 

“Human Rights or Human Rites?: A Confucian Cross-Cultural Perspective.”  East Asian Pastoral Review 41/1 (2003): 44-67.  Available online at http://eapi.admu.edu.ph/eapr004/bretzke.htm

 

“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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/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.

 

“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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MinjungContext.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

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MoralTheologyOutOfAsia.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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/PentecostMoralTheology.pdf

 

Solicited contribution to a special issue dedicated to the developments of Roman Catholic moral theology in the 21st century.

"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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/SincerityNeoConfucian.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.

 

 “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.

 

 “Scripture, The Soul of Moral Theology? -- The Second Stage."  Irish Theological Quarterly 60 (1994): 259-271.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/

 

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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/TaoVirtueEthics.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

 

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.

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/CrossCulturalEthicsTeach.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

http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/BretzkeSpohnContributionMoralTheologyCTSA2006.pdf

 

 

  

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