A Church in Search of Itself: Benedict XVI and the Battle for the Future

The recent report on sex abuse by another bishop ( the late Joseph Sullivan of Baton Rouge) prompted me to go back to Robert Blair Kaiser's book, "A Church in Search of Itself." I figured I would find some insights there on why so many bishops have gotten away with abuse for so long; Sullivan was accused of molesting a boy almost 30 years ago. Amazingly, the church settled an abuse lawsuit involving Sullivan in 2004, long after he died, but the abuse didn't surface until just now. Kaiser asks whether priests and bishops covered up the abuses, like this one, because they didn't want their own private sex lives revealed. For a church that is an absolute monarchy, with little or no accountability, this quite likely is one reason. I found lots of cover-up doing research for my book, "An Irish Tragedy: How sex abuse by Irish priests helped cripple the Catholic church."--It's a story that continues because the church is still an archaic institution that answers only to itself. --Joe Rigert, author

According to author Robert Blair Kaiser, some popes believed the Church belonged to the people; some believed it belonged to God, and many more believed the Church belonged to them. Today's Roman Catholic Church has changed considerably since the birth of what would be Christianity in the decades following the death of Jesus. Kaiser gives the reader a breezy but informative overview of some of the more defining changes that took place -in thought, dogma, civic and political involvement, and so forth- and how those changes shaped and defined the Church of today, at least as it is viewed by the Roman Curia, several popes, and non-Catholics. He also dwells some time on the influential personalities involved in Vatican II, and how those people envisioned not only themselves, their roles and their times, but also considered the future -not only the future of the Church but of Catholics everywhere and indeed, the world itself. And there is little doubt the participants at Vatican II have had a significant impact on the Church if not recent world history. Whatever one thinks of Kaiser's observations and conclusions, it is fairly certain that this particular look at the Roman Catholic Church in the early 21st century is one not often afforded or encouraged among Catholic Christians, and depending on one's bias it is easy to see why: The author is a clear partisan, but refreshingly lucid, fluid and engaging in his prose and, perhaps best of all, filled with hope. He is watchful, yes, but also hopeful. Through the varied lenses of six different Catholic prelates from America to Indonesia, readers are treated to surprisingly frank and intimate perceptions of the Church, the laity, ritual, tradition; the role of the Church in matters of social justice and politics; the role of women in the Church, and exactly what these issues mean to, and how they are interpreted by six influential men from Honduras, the United States, Indonesia, England, Nigeria -and Germany. The candor and insight and even what some may regard as sassiness from these cardinals is bubbling, bracing, provocative, and really quite generous: Inasmuch as Kaiser has given readers this book to consider, these men have generously shared with the author -and the reader- their thoughts and feelings about the most pressing issues on their hearts and minds, offering page-turning commentary about their respective communities and cultures; their relationship with people; their visions of local and global issues as well as with Rome and what, in their opinions, will help continue to grow, heal and further unite the Church during this century. Robert Blair Kaiser, seen by some as a muckraker spoiling for a schism is, in this reader's opinion, simply offering points of view that are not generally considered or discussed in the open -at least not by Catholics- and whatever one's opinion or vision of the Roman Catholic Church or Pope Benedict XVI, this book is in itself a reason for hope, for celeb

Kaiser writes an interesting account of his experience of 'insider' Church politics. A very well-written work, Kaiser never leaves you bored. Although I can see that some readers may be turned off by the clear political camp that Kaiser speaks out of, the book is a value in that it presents a perspective that is often not shared in the Catholic Christian circle of writers. The use of several well-known international prelates as a guide through the chapters is a nice feature that personalizes the stories and the opinions that are subsequently shared. I particularly found the discussion about the Asian Bishops' Conference's desire to engage Rome in dialogue about the possibility of forming an Asian 'Rite' of sorts (like that of the Melkite, or other Eastern Catholic Churches) very interesting. Regardless of one's personal ecclesiology and views on Church politics, this book is a must read for those interested in expanding their knowledge of current church happenings, especially in a post-conclave enviroment. I would recommend this book.

It is not just the Catholic Church that needs saving - by its caring members - but many other institutions in turmoil today in our world, and Kaiser's book taps a strongly felt yearning to stand up for our values - and the kind of civil society we want. Besides, it's fascinating reading about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering - even for someone raised Baptist, like me. That old axiom, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' kicks in for any institution, from a corporation to a federal agency... to a church. No one had a better vantage point than Kaiser to write this kind of "inside/outside" book. -Kare from sayitbetter.com