It is now just over twenty-five years since the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is also more than thirty-five years since St. John Paul II called for a new evangelization to be characterized by a new ardor, a new expression, and new methods. The conviction common to the contributors in this volume is that the Catechism flows from just such an ardor.

 Speaking the Truth in Love draws together a group of Catholic scholars and field practitioners to focus on the capacity of the Catechism to be a powerful point for the renewal of Christian catechesis, education, and culture through its reclamation of the Christian heritage, its explanatory power, and its compelling articulation of a civilization characterized by faith, hope, and love. A special focus of the book is how the Catechism provides a creative reference point for pedagogical renewal in the Church.

“Since the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992, catechists and pastors of souls have discovered how it has served as a great instrument of the New Evangelization. We have awaited this volume as a mature reflection on its vital place in the hope expressed by St. John Paul II for a springtime of New Evangelization. In these pages you will find testimony on how, through the Catechism, this springtime is already taking shape.”

—Most Rev. Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury, Province of Birmingham, England

Dr. Petroc Willey has been the Director of the Catechetical Institute and Head of the Office of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville since 2014. He worshipped at his local Anglican Church in Kent for many years before being received in the Catholic Church in 1985. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from King’s College in London and a doctorate in Philosophy from Liverpool University. After teaching at Plater College in Oxford, he moved in 1992 to the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham where he was Deputy Director for Academic Affairs and subsequently Dean of Graduate Research. While there, he completed the STL at Maynooth and a further doctorate in Philosophy at the Lateran. Petroc is married to Katherine and has four children.

Scott Sollom is an Associate Professor of Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught and mentored students since 2006.  He earned his STL in the New Evangelization from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and is currently finishing a PhD in Education from the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, Australia.  He has worked in the field of evangelization and catechesis for over twenty years, including work at parishes, dioceses, and in campus ministry. Scott is married to Mary Sarah and has five children.

“Petroc Willey and Scott Sollom, in Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization, have edited a marvelous book of essays that will be of enormous help to all who evangelize, teach catechetics, or proclaim the word, either within a parish or academic setting.”

 —Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., Former member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission

“The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a tremendous resource whose depth and utility has not been plumbed sufficiently. This book does it. It shows how the Catechism is an indispensable resource for both catechetics and evangelization, not to mention a touchstone of stability in a time of confusion. Highly recommended.”

—Ralph Martin, Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit

“This book shows us not only how important the Catechism has been, but even more what it still has to offer, what is only just beginning to be tapped into. The work highlights in particular the spiritual depth and the pedagogical resources in the Catechism, helping us to see how our catechetical leaders in parishes and schools can mine it for assistance in how to transmit the Faith.”

—Ann Lankford, Director of the Office for Catechesis and Evangelization, Diocese of La Crosse, WI

“Because the Catechism is the most current, authoritative articulation of Sacred Tradition, and because as Catholics we know that both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition together comprise the one Word of God, the Catechism is an indispensable resource for our times; it helps put us in touch not only with the teaching of Christ, but also with Jesus Himself. Speaking the Truth in Love is a gift for all who work to make catechesis the truly privileged moment in a lifelong process of evangelization that St. John Paul the Great challenges us to make it—by God’s grace and mercy.”

—Ken Ogorek, Author, Retreat Facilitator, Leadership Consultant, Director of Catechesis, Archdiocese of Indianapolis