Great American Prophets: Pope Francis's Models of Christian Life

Using the examples of the "Great Americans" cited by Pope Francis during his visit to the United States, Cosacchi discusses how prophecy can be manifested in our own time.

When Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015 and addressed a joint session of Congress, he cited several examples of "Great Americans" Abraham Lincoln, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Merton, and Dorothy Day. Daniel Cosacchi draws the line between the prophetic stance of these four (as well as others) and the role of the prophet from the Old Testament to the present day.

When Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015 and addressed a joint session of Congress, he cited several examples of "Great Americans" Abraham Lincoln, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Merton, and Dorothy Day. Daniel Cosacchi draws the line between the prophetic stance of these four (as well as others) and the role of the prophet from the Old Testament to the present day.

"What a joy to be given this treatise on prophecy, to be offered so many examples of women as prophets and role models, including friends and longtime personal heroines, and to be given insight into Pope Francis himself, as a vitally important, prophetic leader on the global stage. How fortunate we were to welcome Pope Francis to the United States. How fortunate we are to have this book--a balm for the soul--to help guide us, with inspiration and instruction, to act upon the urgent, moral invitation to be truly great Americans."
--from the foreword by Kerry Alys Robinson, Leadership Roundtable

"In his superb scholarly response to the call of Pope Francis to believers to live lives of prophetic witness and compassion, Dan Cosacchi has produced a book of elegant argument, uncommon clarity, and true prophetic insight. This is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of the American church or the American republic. Go buy this book!"
--Mark Massa, SJ, director, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Boston College

Daniel Cosacchi is vice president for mission and ministry at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He received his PhD in Christian ethics from Loyola University of Chicago and has taught at a number of Catholic colleges and universities.
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