The Parish in Catholic Tradition: History, Theology, and Canon law.

I highly recommend Coriden's brief and readable work to everyone involved in a parish. For one thing, it sets out quite clearly the sometimes confusing financial mechanics and structures (at least for North America) of parish and diocesan life. As the author notes, this is not a "how-to" book nor an extended canonical commentary but a survey that treats of the historical development of parishes. The theological significance of the parish in the light of recent writings in ecclesiology, the rights and obligations of parishes under Canon Law, and a useful summary of American law as it impinges on Catholic parishes are some of the areas touched on.

"Parishes and other local congregations are not like the branch offices or local outlets of a central corporation, as local banks or auto agencies or service stations often are," Coriden reminds us. "They are unique communities of Christian people." What this means in practice is that the parish is the primary instantiation of the church and not merely an extension of higher hierarchical realities. Of course there is a bond of unity between the local pastor, his bishop, and all bishops with the bishop of Rome. Coriden's observations on these questions would make a fine preliminary start for a consideration of J.M. Tillard's extraordinary recent book on ecclesiology, L'Eglise locale - a book that I hope will appear in English soon. Tillard's work, like that of other ecclesiologists, for example, Joseph Komonchak, draws out in detail what Coriden says briefly but clearly about the centrality of the local church.

Coriden also points out that the new Code of Canon Law sets out a whole series of parishioner rights as well as procedures to insure those rights. Coriden's insistence on these rights is not meant to add fuel to the already overdeveloped litigious instincts of Americans, but to underscore the fact that congregations are not supine subjects. Among the rights of Catholics are: the right to having the Word of God preached; the sacraments administered; the Eucharist confected; adequate religious instruction, etc.

This modestly sized work, economic in price, should be in the hands of every parish staff member, including pastors. Coriden even provides an appendix featuring a few case studies that allow the reader to apply canonical legislation to specific problems. The index is adequate and each chapter has a brief list of books and articles in English for further reading.

Lawrence S. Cunningham teaches theology at the University of Notre Dame.