"Every confessor and seminarian, anyone involved in marriage preparation, and any moral theology professor ought to ensure that this volume finds a place of honor in one’s theological library." -Father Peter Stravinskas, President, Catholic Education Foundation

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Sexual Difference and Christian Doctrine

Pope Saint John Paul took the advice of his friend Henri Cardinal de Lubac, S. J.: "When something so fundamental is called into question you have to get down to its roots...the whole matter has to be studied from a new viewpoint. Fundamentally, what you feel is a need to see straight."

Mere Marriage explains how John Paul's seized the high ground in opposing attacks on marriage and human dignity. His Theology of the Body catechesis develops a theological anthropology or Christian doctrine of sexual difference that illuminates human dignity, all Christian mysteries, sacraments and grace.

Author: Andrew D. Cannon, Ph.D.

In his seventies, Cannon pursued a doctorate in theology to validate his conviction that Pope Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body is a game changer.  

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Expert Reviews

“Mere Marriage is a well developed and exceedingly relevant study. I know of no other work that has delved so deeply into correspondences between the Greek Fathers and Wojtyla’s Theology of the Body.”

From the foreword by Professor Rocco Buttiglione, Biographer of John Paul II

“Mere Marriage makes an important contribution to moral theology by demonstrating that John Paul II’s understanding of the conjugal act is a development of the Church’s teaching in Humanae vitae. Using Newman’s seven key indicators of a development of doctrine and insights from Michael Buckley, S.J., it compares Paul VI’s Humanae vitae with John Paul II’s Theology of the Body to show that the anagogic inferences in the latter lie soundly in the area of theological argument and constitute an authentic development of Church teaching. This book is a welcome contribution to the study of Marriage and Family and would be an excellent resource for courses in Catholic moral theology on the topic.”

Dennis J. Billy, CSsR, Robert F. Leavitt Distinguished Chair in Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore

"Every confessor and seminarian, anyone involved in marriage preparation, and any moral theology professor, ought to ensure that Mere Marriage finds a place of honor in one's theological library."

Fr. Peter Stravinskas, President Catholic Education Foundation

“Dedicated, faithful scholars like Andrew Cannon work diligently behind the scenes to provide solid ground for evangelists. I am very grateful to Dr. Cannon for his important book, Mere Marriage, which demonstrates that Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body combines theological rigor and continuity with sacred tradition to propose an understanding of conjugal love, grace, sacraments, and Christian Mysteries, commensurate with the needs of the new evangelization.”

Christopher West, ThD, President, Theology of the Body Institute

I learned so much from your exhaustive yet understandable treatment of the subject. I am grateful that you decided to pursued the doctoral studies required for you to substantiate your intuitive conviction that as the book cover puts it, JPII's reflections were a "game changer."

Daniel Avila, J.D., M.A.

“Mere Marriage will speak to many who have been inadequately taught for the last fifty years about what makes marriage sacred. Chronicling the wisdom of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and John Henry Newman is providential, as all three are newly canonized saints.”

Mary Ellen Bork