William Cavanaugh, et al., eds. Fratelli Tutti: A Global Commentary. Studies in World Catholicism, vol. 13. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2024. Pp. xxx + 329. $43.99 pb. ISBN 978-1-6667-1997-0. Reviewed by Benjamin J. BROWN, Lourdes University, Sylvania, OH 43560

William Cavanaugh and fellow editors have put together in Fratelli Tutti: A Global Commentary exactly what the title describes. The text gathers scholars and those experienced in the social justice arena from the four geo-cultural areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe-North America to provide chapter by chapter explanations of and reflections on Pope Francis’s 2020 encyclical. Each chapter of Fratelli Tutti receives fours essays, one from an author from each region for a total of thirty-two essays, along with an introduction by the editors. The book as a whole is a thoughtful appreciation of the encyclical and exhortation for it to be more fully known and especially lived.

Chapters are relatively short, typically seven to nine pages, and vary widely in terms of approach. Many focus on providing a summary of their respective chapter of FT, some also offer critical evaluation, some apply the encyclical to their region of the world, and a few take the opportunity to develop a broader line of thought or one related to their respective chapters of FT.

Topics range as extensively as the encyclical itself, and then some: theological foundations, the parable of the good Samaritan, reconciliation, violence, the roles of politics, law, and religion in a just world, human dignity, fraternity, social friendship, migration/immigration, openness to others, the problems of (neo-)liberal economics, and so on. This variety includes points of controversy over the exact meaning or proper application of one aspect or another of Catholic social teaching. For example, Francis has rightly shown readiness and even eagerness to acknowledge the faults of Catholic history, and some authors follow that move, but possibly too much, by ignoring many simultaneous goods, unduly blaming the church for faults of the state in colonialism, or taking events out of historical context. A handful of essays engage in veiled advocacy for impossible changes in the Church, such as the ordination of women, gay marriage, or recognition of more than two genders.

social teaching has always focused on principles, and though Francis has tended to be more specific and concrete that his predecessors, CST still often remains rather general. Many of the essays that focus on application, especially to a whole continent, suffer from the same affliction. Readers with more experience will recognize some referents, but it would have been helpful for more of the essays to better concretize the encyclical. For example, while it is important to state clearly that immigrants need to be welcomed and integrated without undermining their own unique cultural background and practices, how exactly do we do that?

A Global Commentary is probably best read alongside Fratelli Tutti itself, one chapter at a time together with the corresponding four chapters in the commentary. Or it may be shelved as a reference work, for which the index will be helpful.