Practicing Catholic

More than a few Catholics who find themselves questioning their church conclude that there are only two options open to them: follow official Catholic teachings in all respects or leave the church. Ryan takes a different tack. She argues people can embrace Catholicism as a way of life without necessarily accepting official church teachings on issues such as artificial contraception, the ordination of women to the priesthood, divorce and homosexuality. Ryan uses personal anecdotes, offering insights into her own struggle to be a practicing member of a church she loves in a changing world where many of the church's dogmas fail to speak to social issues. (Apr.)