All the Pope's Men: The Inside Story of How the Vatican Really Thinks

It is hard to contain my enthusiasm for this book. It represents *exactly* what is most needed in the tragic situation of the Catholic Church's communication with our media saturated world. For a heart-rending situation of profound misunderstanding and miscommunication characterises the `dialogue' between a Church rooted in centuries of tradition and rigorous, painstaking thought, yes thought - and a world of media myths and soundbites that cannot hope to do justice to anything needing a significant span of attention ... Allen sees this better than nearly anyone. As an American reporter from the liberal National Catholic Reporter, whose full time beat is the Vatican and who knows the Vatican far, far better than nearly any English speaking lay person, he has done something truly wonderful and desperately needed here. Not only is there great journalism in this book - there is also a noble, inspired attempt to create fairness and justice, listening and understanding, appreciation of different perspectives and mindsets, amidst the psychic warfare that characterises not only the tragic divisions within the Church, but also between the religion of the Church and the ideology of secular media - ism that washes over our world . That is to say, there is something profoundly sane and uplifting as Allen cuts through layer upon layer upon layer of prejudice, misperception and mythology to simply render how people in the Vatican really think and how their thinking is necessarily shaped by very different concerns from modern secularism. I have seen traditional Catholics suspicious of Allen's liberal background and I wish they wouldn't be. Yes, I share certain concerns with them about Allen's previous book on the former Cardinal Ratzinger, but this book is different. A maturing into greater appreciation of the traditional perspective is very evident and beautiful. I count myself as pretty traditional and feel Allen has done both liberals and conservatives a tremendous service ... by reporting their views fairly and without bias ... so that they can simply be heard. Simply be *heard* - for God's sake. This is what is needed. Allen knows it, and is evidently a man who has tried very hard to simply listen himself. As I say, my enthusiasm is almost boundless. There are many passages in this book whose inspiration seems to me near angelic. To suggest these, I offer some scant sentences drawn from longer, more powerful passages - which represent both sides of the spectrum and may open both traditionals and progressives to listen to Allen ... `Vatican personnel by and large do not see themselves as imperialists imposing their will on the rest of the Catholic Church. In many instances ... they see themselves defending the people against elites running roughshod over their rights, [protecting] the simple faithful against avant-garde theologians who would betray the faith, against experimental liturgists who risk transforming the Mass into something profane

Vatican correspondent for "National Catholic Reporter" and a noted media analyst on Vatican affairs, John L. Allen has crafted an insightful analysis of one of the oldest and most fascinating world institutions. The author of CONCLAVE, an exploration of the events surrounding modern papal elections, incorporates his knowledge and experience into a detailed exploration of the complex bureaucracy of the Catholic Church known simply as "the Vatican." For Catholics and others in the United States, the decisions of the Pope and the Curia appear to be out of touch with contemporary society - particularly American culture. Of course, that is precisely the point! The Vatican is characterized by a centuries-old, traditional European, yet increasingly global world view where issues are considered and decisions are made within the uniquely long-term Catholic concepts of scripture, tradition and faithfulness to the Magisterium (the official teaching authority of the Church). Developed in response to such burning issues as the recent sex scandals and the Vatican's opposition to the war in Iraq, Mr. Allen explores the culture and context of the Vatican from psychological, sociological and theological perspectives. Recognizing the spiritual underpinnings of the institution, Mr. Allen examines the individuals and myriad offices which collectively form the Vatican. He does so from a distinctly human standpoint, weaving a rich tapestry of collegial, dynastic, ecclesiastical, cultural and contextual characteristics. He analyzes personal motivation and formal and informal spheres of influence, carefully connecting the dots of human frailty with the overriding mission of Church stewardship. Through faithful adherence to journalistic principles, critical respect and objectivity, Mr. Allen provided an illuminating overview of the Vatican response to today's tumultuous issues. If there can be any criticism of the book - and it is only a minor criticism - it is with respect to the lengthy and detailed chronology of the Vatican's response to the sex-scandal and Iraq War. Yet even in this, the accompanying analysis leaves the reader with a greater comprehension of the motives and thought process of the Vatican in dealing globally with events seen as more localized flashpoints. The myths of the Vatican section is particularly fascinating in debunking popular, yet unsubstantiated legends. There are some who would dismiss Mr. Allen due to the perceived liberal leanings of the "National Catholic Reporter." However, unlike other recent books from those with particular axes to grind, the author offers concise reporting, balanced analysis, and well-reasoned conclusions. The book is clearly worth the reader's time and attention, rewarding those who seek understanding of things as they are, not merely reaffirmations of preconceived opinions. For those who wish to hear more from Mr. Allen, his weekly Internet column, "The Word from Rome," offers additional insight

John Allen has always impressed me with his newspaper writing and whenever I've heard him on National Public Radio. I was happy to have come across this book here and found it a very fresh perspective on the world inside the Vatican. As those of you who read these types of books will know, there are many, many books on the topic out there and I gather that half of those that are written are merely quoting from the other half. Put this one in the TO BE QUOTED FROM PILE. It's original material, I particularly like his Myths about the Vatican section. Thank you John Allen.

Maybe John Allen doesn't quite have the dramatic flair that Woodward has for the midnight, behind closed door scenes (like Nixon asking Kissinger to pray with him), but Allen's information is just as interesting and reliable, and the writing is pretty good too. And unlike most of the people you have writing about the Vatican Allen really does seem to walk a straight line in terms of the politics. A reviewer has commented that the even-handedness has bothered him/her, but nothing bothers me more than partisan reporting through rose coloured glass or the pessimism of a disaffected church goer. All the Pope's Men isn't much of a whodunnit but it is a very interesting examination of the psychology and the workings of the Vatican. It is a bureaucracy, of sorts, but I found it's workings fascinating nonetheless.

Recognized as a maven when it comes to the intricacies of the workings of the Vatican, John A. Allen, Jr., Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, has written an excellent reference text that will go a long way in helping us to be better informed about its thoughts, how it reacts and why, and its perspective of the world. Due to the complexity of the subject matter, Allen, in order to lay a solid foundation for what ensues, appropriately begins with an introductory chapter entitled Vatican 101.Readers are quickly informed that although the media interchangeably use the terms Vatican, the Holy See and the Roman Curia as if they were one and the same, in fact, such is not the case, as they are quite distinct from one another.Many of us are unaware that the Holy See is an institution rather than a person and it is the proper term to use for designating the authority of the papacy to govern the Church. It is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church.More precisely, it is the Holy See that governs the Catholic Church on behalf of the Pope, not the Vatican. The Vatican refers to the 108-acre physical territory in Rome. The Pope, through the Holy See, is the supreme governor of Vatican City.On the other hand, it is through the Roman Curia that the Pope administers the Holy See and carries out his function both as supreme governor of the Catholic Church and as sovereign diplomatic actor.Understanding these basic terms is essential in understanding the remaining chapters of the book, where the author delves into such topics as five myths pertaining to the Vatican, its Psychology, Sociology and Theology, and finally concluding with two very important and well researched chapters that are constantly in the news today, the American sexual abuse crisis and the war in Iraq.What is noteworthy and extremely helpful in understanding the position of the principal actors pertaining to these two latter important events is the author's presentation of a chronological review of events involving the exchanges between the United States and the Holy See.Some of the myths that are exposed are quite intriguing. Did you know that there is no such thing as "the Vatican?" As the author points out, "there is no "the Vatican" in the sense that most English-speaking journalists, commentators, and activists use the phrase." It is not a living creature or organism. It is rather a bureaucracy "staffed by human beings, each of whom has his or her own wants, fears, intentions, visions, hopes, and dreams."Other myths examined are: who's in charge, Vatican secrecy, Vatican wealth, and climbing the career ladder. It should be noted that from the very onset the author tries to maintain complete impartiality and to a very large degree has succeeded admirably.The author refrains from offering his own personal opinions as to whether a particular Vatican document or policy choice is right or wrong, good or bad, successful or not. The primary objective, and one th