Book excerpt: Renewal in the Church is not primarily about topics and issues, as some so tediously seem to think. Those who think the Church would be stronger if it changed some of its teachings don't seem to take seriously enough the experience of those churches that have already changed those same teachings. This book is written as a series of letters on renewal. But, these are not letters previously sent to individuals and now being brought together. They were written for this book. They have been called letters instead of chapters to allow for their different lengths and the different levels of scholarship required by each topic. It also allows for a more personal style of writing. The chosen topics are all relevant to renewal, and the comments are limited to how they open up opportunities for renewal, or illustrate the ongoing need for it within the Catholic Church. This is an international Church which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Vatican II in 2012. It is a timely moment to reflect on the Church and its continual renewal in todays world.