Books

THE FREEDOM OF LOVE, by Rafael de Santiago

Reviewed by Br Barry Coldrey

Contents - Oct 2013 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Postscript on the Australian elections - Peter Westmore Pope Francis to consecrate world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World Frassati Australia and the New Evangelisation - Fr Paul Chandler OSCE Conference: The new face of religious intolerance - Bishop Mario Toso The Catholic Church is holy, despite its members' sins - Audrey English Interview: Why science needs faith - Professor Dominique Lambert The priesthood and the Catholic faith - Fr John O'Neill PP Church of Divine Mercy in Singapore: an amazing discovery - Kazimierz Kozlowski Blessed Jacinta Marto: heroine of Fatima - Cedric Wright Letters: Dr Mobbs replies ... - Frank Mobbs Letters: Exaggeration? - Noel Keith Roberts Letters: Humanae Vitae - Ron Graham Letters: Moral failure - John Wynter Letters: Harmful effects - Richard Grant, Willie Chenhall, Maryse Usher Letters: Creator's plan - Clare Ryan Letters: Culture of life needed - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Anti-religious bigotry - Peter Kamsma Events: Spiritual Exercises in Bowral, December 2013 Books: A Book of Saints and Heroes, Heroines, by Joanna Bogle - Val Prendergast (reviewer) Books: COURAGE AND CONVICTION, by Joanna Bogle - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE TIBER, by Fr Gerald O'Collins SJ - Frank Mobbs Books: THE FREEDOM OF LOVE, by Rafael de Santiago - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Support: Launch of 2013 Fighting Fund - Peter Westmore Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Bishop Fisher: Young Catholics must be Christ in the world - Bishop Anthony Fisher

THE FREEDOM OF LOVE
by Rafael de Santiago
(Gracewing, 2012, 140pp, $29.95. ISBN: 978-085244-779-6)

This is a clear, strongly Catholic treatment of a well-explored subject. Is it still possible to say something new about love? Most people will claim to know something of what love is, but the great variety of meanings associated with the word makes it difficult to define.

In The Freedom of Love, Dr Santiago clarifies the issues. This is an attractive presentation which radiates the teaching of Pope John Paul's "Theology of the Body".

The chapters read like "a map of life", in the sense that they deal with important issues such as the nature of love, the meaning of loyalty to our commitments, the connection between excellence and love, the importance of forgiveness and the relationship between love and freedom.

Love is hard work, but the rewards are great. This is a critical idea in Dr Santiago's presentation.

In addition there are four appendices that elaborate on the "Biology of Conception" and these are some of the more useful parts of the book. They are entitled: The Fertility Cycle, Natural Family Planning, Sexual Compatibility and the Effectiveness of NFP.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 26 No 9 (October 2013), p. 17