In this updated and revised edition, the tough issues haven't changed nor has the church's teaching about them. What has changed is the context is which the teaching was offered. Our society has experienced changes of tonality and emphasis, and new questions and new issues, especially concerning the prolonging of life and church membership, have arisen. The archbishop wisely states, "Every human endeavor is capable of improvement."

Each chapter offers questions for discussion, suggestions for further reading with an indication of where the subjects are treated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as material from the pope, Vatican II, the Holy See and the U.S. bishops conference.