More ink was spilled over Veritatis Splendor (the Splendour of Truth) before it saw the light of day than of any other modern papal pronouncement. After its publication however it was greeted by an almost unanimous silence from the media, and a surprising consensus from individuals who took the trouble to read it and openly admitted their appreciation of its contents.

In his new Companion to this important document Fr Tolhurst sets out in simple and non-technical language the theological and ethical thinking that lies behind the work, and then proceeds to summarise the teaching contained in each paragraph.

Supported by a wealth of references and a complete thematic index the Companion makes available the teaching of the document to general readers who lack a theological trainging, as well as helping students and clergy to place Veritatis Splendor in the context of the Church’s previous statements on moral thought.

Fr James Tolhurst studied at Fribourg and Salamanca Universities. He was ordained in 1967 and was Theology Tutor at the English College, Valladolid Spain from 1975-80. From 1981-90 he was Dean of Studies for the Permanent Diaconate of the Southern English Dioceses, and he is now a member of the Birmingham Oratory. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and John Henry Newman.