Abstract

‘The future of Catholicism’ turns to the major challenges faced by Catholics and their leaders as they move further into the third millennium. From the time of Benedict XV (pope 1914–22) popes have insisted on the priority of peaceful ways over violent ways for settling international conflict, but there is still much for Catholics to learn about Islam and engaging with Muslims in ways that will further a common cause on all kinds of vital issues. The Church has suffered a loss of credibility through the child abuse scandals and serious reform is needed at every level to meet the pressing challenges of today’s world.