What God Hath Joined

I walked away from this book wondering so many things, like: Why is it that the representatives of the Catholic Church refuse to just admit when they have made a mistake? Instead of admitting fallibility with laws on celibacy, they continue to put people through such trials (as was experienced by Fr. and Mrs. Sweeney in this enlightening book), and call upon people to accept and live with those mistakes by justifying them as an act of faith. This book will take the reader upon a perilous journey of the heart and soul. Fr. Sweeney and his wife share the heartbreak and triumph of their relationship and the sacrifices that had to be made so they could be together. But the question you will be left asking is why did they have to sacrifice anything? And when will the Catholic Church stop hurting lives by such an artificial and UN-natural celibacy law that Christ Himself, never set forth into being?

This is one of the best books I have ever read!Others have spoken much more eloquently on a summeraztion of this book. I would much rather speak on an emotional level. These lives will touch you and give you much to think about in you hours of contemplation and meditation. Originally reading this book when first released, I was left with the nagging question. How can a religion think that love can only be between those who are not ministering to others?Love has nothing to do with what one does for a living. Who those people are or what station in life they hold. Love is eternal and timeless.I, at numerous times while reading and re-reading this book, was brought to tears by the struggles of both Pamela an Terry. The emotional rollercoaster ride that makes up only a segment of these twoindividuals is a compelling and emotionally draining story of hope and faith. While this book will show, what many can think of as faults of the catholic churh, it cannot be misconstrued as a "catholic bashing" story. It is a story of love for ones religion and beliefs and how a church will not believe that unless the issue of married priests is addressed the catholic church will not survive. The rapid and prolonged exodus of priests from the church because of this issue along will bring the church down. While the political ramifications of this story to the church is paramount, the love story is exceptionally touching and cannot be overlooked. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It will bring you a great deal to think about, and reafirm your faith in love.

A love story about two people and the sacrifices each had to make in their own life in order to share the rest of thier life together in marriage. The women describes her emotions of resentment, and confusion while the man she loves, a Priest goes through a terrible trial of spriritual probing. His description of his thorough investigation of celibacy laws in the Catholic Church is very enlightening. His personal decisions and how they will affect their future are carefully described....this is a deeply moving story.

When the Catholic Church wanted Elizabeth Ann Seton(America's first native born to be canonized a Saint) to found her order, she turned them down. For her to except would mean she would not be allowed by Catholic rules to fullfill her responsibilities to her own children. So under the direction of Bishop Carroll the rules were changed.(Even before Mother Seton could be cannonized they had to change the mandatory rule of 4 miracles to 3 miracles in order for her to be pronounced a Saint). If the Catholic Church wants something bad enough...they change the rules. I guess they don't want priest to be married. They used to. As a matter of fact 39 of its Pope's were married. But back in the 12th Century they didn't want the clergy to be married anymore. So they changed the rules. One day they will change them back and it will be O.K. for priest to be married. But for now.... In this book, "WHAT GOD HATH JOINED" the authors take the reader on a well crafted journey through a deeply moving and spititual probing story. I enjoyed the his/her chapter by chapter discription of what each was going through and how their decisions impacted on one another. Its a great autobiography and a wonderful love story. I enjoyed the read! You may too. It might even change your thinking.