Book excerpt: The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church gives a complete and up-to-date overview of the social teachings of the Catholic Church in a contemporary context. Tackling issues as diverse as the morality of the free market, poverty and workers' rights, and as topical as democracy, globalization and the fight against terrorism, it is an invaluable resource for anyone searching for solutions to many of the social and ethical problems facing the modern world. This new Companion to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church will be of use to parish adult education groups, schools and individuals who have little or no formal theological training. It is a user-friendly guide to the Compendium written in accessible language with discussion questions to enable further study and reflection.