Carl E. Olson's Blog, page 34
September 4, 2015
Journalist and author Edward Pentin discusses "The Rigging of a Vatican Synod?"
Edward Pentin, author of the just released e-book, The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? An Investigation of Alleged Manipulation at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, talks with Mark Brumley, President of Ignatius Press:
More about the book:
Intrigue or inexperience? Did key leaders of the recent Extraordinary Synod of Bishops try to manipulate the outcome to support a change in Catholic practice and perhaps in Catholic teaching on divorce and remarriage and same-sex activity? Did they undermine Pope Francis' vision of an "open" discussion?
Critics claim Cardinal Baldissieri, the man Pope Francis trusted to oversee the Synod’s discussion of family issues, along with some of his associates, tried to predetermine the outcome of the Synod’s deliberations and its documents. Supporters say Cardinal Baldissieri was inexperienced at running a synod and any missteps were innocent mistakes.
International reporter and analyst Edward Pentin investigates the allegations, accusations, and facts surrounding the controversial meeting of select bishops of the world.
"An absolutely fascinating account of Synod 2014, especially the machinations surrounding it."
— Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, Archbishop of Durban, co-president of 2015 Synod on the Family
The Merciful Call to Holiness
The Merciful Call to Holiness | Thomas Gourlay | HPR
Addressing the Dualism Between Mercy and Doctrine in Cardinal Kasper’s Proposal
Ever since it was first floated in his 1977 work, Cardinal Walter Kasper’s proposal to apply mercy to those suffering outside full communion with the Church through civil divorce and remarriage has been the source of much debate.1 This argument has gained recent attention through Kasper’s re-proposal of this same idea which he put forward in the lead up to the extraordinary synod on the family which was held during October of 2014. Published as a book soon after its delivery, his address to the Consistory of Cardinals in February of 2014 restated his 1977 proposal to allow civilly divorced and remarried Catholic couples in some particularly and seemingly impossible situations back to the sacraments after a period of penance.2 In the lead up to, and in the media coverage which accompanied the synod, much was made of the proposal, and the perceived change in Church doctrine which would ensue should such proposals be adopted by the synod fathers and promulgated by the Pope.
Without wading too deeply into these highly polemical waters, constructing arguments from Canon Law, or from the Sacramentality of Marriage, this essay seeks to penetrate more deeply into the understanding of mercy which animates Cardinal Kasper’s proposal. It will argue that Kasper’s proposal inherently constructs a dualism between the unfathomable mercy of God, and the universal call of Christ to holiness that is, to “be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
Kasper’s Presentation of Mercy
In his book Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life, Kasper argues that mercy is a crucially relevant, but a tragically forgotten topic in Catholic dogmatic theology.3 While he does give some credence to the development of the theme of mercy in the work of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, he does little more than give a passing reference to their teaching in this area before going to great lengths to show that, with the exception of the theologian Matthias Sheeben, the theme of mercy is glaringly absent from most manuals of theology.4 This apparent glossing over of the developments of the theme of mercy in the work of both John Paul II and in Benedict XVI will have ramifications which will be pointed out at a later point in this paper.
According to Kasper: “The failure of theological reflection concerning the message of mercy, which is central to the Bible, has allowed this concept often to be downgraded, degenerating into a “soft” spirituality or a vapid pastoral concern, lacking clear definition, and forced somehow to suit each individual.”5 Few would argue against his assertion that there is a pressing need to enshrine a correct notion of mercy into the teaching of the Church, and into popular Christian piety. Kasper is keen to position his proposal concerning the pastoral care of civilly divorced and remarried individuals within that framework of a true mercy.
Critiquing a Strictly Metaphysical Doctrine of God
In his book, Kasper presents a much-needed critique of the traditional metaphysical doctrine of God. He argues that the strong metaphysical doctrine of God, which was used particularly by neoscholastic philosophers to defend belief in the enlightenment and post-enlightenment era, in fact presented a harsh and unfeeling god, quite dissimilar from the God of the Scriptures.
September 3, 2015
"The Rigging of a Vatican Synod?" | Exclusive excerpt from new book by Edward Pentin
Images via us.fotolia.com
The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? | Edward Pentin | CWR
The release of the “explosive” interim report during last year’s synod provoked allegations of a rigged process—but that was just the beginning. An exclusive excerpt from a new investigation into what went on at the headline-making meeting of bishops.
[Editor’s note: The III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family that took place in October 2014 was controversial not only for the subject matter it discussed, but also for the way it was run. To find out what really went on before, during, and after that heated fortnight, renowned reporter and analyst Edward Pentin spent months speaking to many of those who were there and piecing together what happened behind the closed doors of the Vatican’s Synod Hall. His findings have been published in a new book, The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? An Investigation of Alleged Manipulation at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, available now as an e-book from Ignatius Press.
In this exclusive excerpt, Pentin examines one of the most controversial aspects of last year’s synod: the notorious Relatio post disceptationem, or interim report, released half-way through the synod discussions.]
The Interim Report
What had provoked many to allege rigging of the meeting, both inside and outside the synod hall, was the publication on October 13 of the Relatio post disceptationem, or interim report, on the first week of the synod’s discussions.
Many synod fathers were angry that the Relatio did not represent the majority view of the synod’s participants or the discussion that had occurred during the week and was issued without them seeing it.
George Cardinal Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, was the first to protest in a debate in the aula on the day of the Relatio’s release, followed by a number of heated interventions. Concerned that the report would go out without anyone remarking on it, he pointed out what was good about the report, but he also noted some serious deficiencies in the text. The Australian cardinal had to persist in his protest in the face of the synod managers who would have liked him to be quiet, sources who were present said.
In a television interview on October 16 with Catholic News Service, Cardinal Pell said the document was “tendentious, skewed, it didn’t represent accurately the feelings of the synod fathers.” He said “three-quarters” of those who discussed it afterward “had some problems with the document”. He added that “a major absence” in the document was scriptural teaching and “a treatment of the Church tradition”.
“It was as though there was an idealized vision of every imperfect situation”, Cardinal Pell said. “One father said to me…that he wouldn’t want his young adult children to read it because they’d be confused, and that was said in some of the working groups.”
The interim report “created an impression that the teaching of the Church has been merciless so far, as if the teaching of mercy were beginning only now”, said Polish Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of Poznan.
At issue were three controversial paragraphs the contents of which had been barely, or not at all, discussed by the synod fathers. One of these paragraphs referred to proposals, supposedly made by some of the synod participants, for readmission of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to Holy Communion, and two other paragraphs dealt with the pastoral care of homosexuals and cohabiting couples.
The most contentious paragraphs were under the heading “Welcoming homosexuals”. The section started off by saying homosexuals “have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community”, adding: “Are our communities capable of providing (a welcoming home), accepting and valuing their sexual orientation without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?”
It continued: “Without denying the moral problems connected to homosexual unions, it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners.”
Critics pointed out that there was no reference to Catholic doctrine that sexual relations between people of the same sex are “intrinsically disordered”, that the acts are gravely sinful (or sinful at all), or that homosexual orientation was “objectively disordered”.
In an interview on October 17, Cardinal Burke described the interim report as a “gravely flawed document that does not express adequately the teaching and discipline of the Church and, in some aspects, propagates doctrinal error and a false pastoral approach”.
Trying to explain how the document came to be, Cardinal Erdö told Vatican Radio that the sixteen officials who drafted the report struggled to synthesize the positions of thirty to forty bishops on any given topic and rushed to finish it on time.
September 2, 2015
Long Awaited "Memoirs" of renowned theologian Louis Bouyer coming soon from Ignatius Press
Ignatius Press announces that the much anticipated Memoirs
of Louis Bouyer, one of the great theologians and church men of the last century, will be released in October 2015 and is available for pre-order now. In his Memoirs, Bouyer reveals many fascinating insights about his life and work not written about until now.
It is difficult to exaggerate Louis Bouyer’s contribution to Catholic theology and his behind-the-scenes role in certain great events of twentieth-century church life. A French convert from Lutheranism, a priest of the Oratory, an expert on Scripture, liturgy, the history of spirituality, Newman, ecclesiology, and Reformation theology, twice-appointed member of the International Theological Commission, Bouyer was a man of immense theological vision and profound depth of knowledge and insight. He was both a major theological contributor to the renewed vision that led to the Second Vatican Council and a staunch critic of its misunderstanding in the decades that followed it.
In this Memoirs, Bouyer recounts the story of his life and learning, the people, places, events, and ideas that shaped his profoundly Catholic life. He tells of his relationships and encounters with such theological and church notables as Yves Congar, Jean Danielou, Henri de Lubac, Joseph Ratzinger (later, Pope Benedict XVI), Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Karl Rahner. A disciple of the Lord and a man of great love for the Church, he often writes with parrhesia – pastoral frankness – and wit about the shortcomings of Catholic institutions and life, especially with respect to changes undertaken in the name of “reform” but which did not truly partake of the sources of the Church’s life and mission.
Of the writing of his Memoirs Bouyer said, “In the pages that follow, what I would like to recall is what, on final, or undoubtedly very nearly final, reflection, seems to me to have the most meaning. I hope that those who read them, and especially my friends, both known and unknown (for a writer, are not many of these latter often among the closest?), will also draw some profit from them, perhaps more than I do myself. I hasten to add that the entertainment that these pages could, at least I hope, provide them is an integral part in my eyes of that potential profit. For it is a too-little-known but to me unquestionable fact that Providence has a great and, of course, the best sense of humor!”
George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, says, “Fr. Louis Bouyer’s extraordinary Christian life was a template of the trials, passions, accomplishments, and unexpected consequences of the Catholic encounter with modernity. His Memoirs are required reading for all who would understand the Church’s situation in the 21st century, especially in Western Europe.”
About the Author:
LOUIS BOUYER (1913-2004) was born to a Parisian Protestant family and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor at age 23. He converted to Catholicism in 1939 and was ordained a priest for the Oratory in 1944. He became a prolific theological writer and teacher worldwide. His works have had an enduring impact on Catholic theology. His other books include The Church of God, Newman, and The Word, Church and Sacraments.
Mark Brumley, the President of Ignatius Press, and Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., the Editor in-Chief for Ignatius Press, are available for interviews about this book.
To request a review copy or an interview with Mark Brumley or Fr. Joseph Fessio, please contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press at (239) 867-4180 or rose@ignatius.com
Product Facts:
Title: MEMOIRS
Author: Louis Bouyer
Release Date: October 2015
Length: 304 pages
Price: $18.95
ISBN: 1-978-58617-695-2 • Softcover
Order: 1-800-651-1531 • www.ignatius.com
September 1, 2015
"Marriage in Our Contemporary World: Pastoral Observations from an African Perspective"
A groom places a ring on the finger of his bride during a wedding ceremony at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 1, 2009. (CNS photo/Saabi, Galbe.Com)
Marriage in Our Contemporary World: Pastoral Observations from an African Perspective | John Cardinal Onaiyekan | CWR
In an exclusive excerpt from Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint, the archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria addresses challenges facing marriage from the perspective of African Christianity.
[Editor’s note: The following is an exclusive excerpt from the book Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint
, which will be published by Ignatius Press September 15. The book also includes contributions by Cardinals Robert Sarah, Carlo Caffarra, Baselios Cleemis, Paul Josef Cordes, Dominik Duka, Joachim Meisner, Camillo Ruini, Antonio María Rouco Varela, Willem Jacobus Eijk, and Jorge L. Urosa Savino. Topics addressed in the book include marriage and family life, divorce and civil marriage, marriage preparation, and secular challenges to family life.]
Introduction
Today, marriage has become a matter for great debate both within and outside the Church. The debate has come even right into the sacred places of the Church of God, to the extent that a lot of our Christians are getting worried even to the point of panic. A good demonstration was what happened during the first session of the synod on the family, which took place in Rome in October 2014. Somewhere along the line, the mass media became full of rumors to the effect that finally the Catholic Church was changing her rigid position and was at last catching up with the rest of the world, not only in the reconsideration of divorce and remarriage, but also with regard to homosexuality and same-sex unions.
I was not in Rome. I was in my house in Abuja. Phone calls were coming to me from both Nigeria and abroad from very concerned Catholics wondering what was happening to the Church. Interestingly enough, I receive calls from even non-Catholics, including Muslim friends, asking what was happening to our Church. My reply to them all was: “No need for panic. The boat of Peter may be in turbulence. But it will never sink. It will always arrive at its shores because Jesus is in it.” We must have faith in the Holy Spirit guiding his Church. We must believe especially in the special grace of the Holy Spirit guiding the Vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter, our pope. I was glad and thrilled the next day to receive reports of the proceedings from the synod hall that went on to confirm my faith in the Church and that I passed on to those who a day before had reached out to me. We are in much the same situation today. It is a question of whether, indeed, there is such a thing as a doctrine of the Church that is firm, solid, and immutable or whether the Church will have to follow the latest developments and trends around us rather than lead humanity to salvation.
1. Contemporary developments
The issues of marriage and family should be placed within the general context of developments in the world of our day, especially in those societies that claim to be developed.
August 31, 2015
New: "Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint"
Pre-order from Ignatius Press:
Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint
By Fr. Robert Dodaro O.S.D.
Marriage and the family are in crisis. In October 2015, a Synod of Bishops will meet in the Vatican to discuss this important subject. In preparation for the event, eleven Cardinals from around the world have written powerful essays on some of the problems to be discussed: the challenge of providing adequate marriage preparation in a secularized world; the need for evangelization and conversion; the relationship between charity and truth; the situation of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics; and the demands of authentic pastoral care.
The authors understand that doctrine and pastoral ministry are not opposed to one another. They carefully steer a wise and merciful course that engages genuine concerns, while avoiding false compassion, which compromises both truth and authentic love.
This book serves as both a concise introduction to the forthcoming Synod and a helpful guide to applying Christ's teaching to the pastoral care of families. Long after the Synod, these essays will remain valuable for anyone wanting to understand and to proclaim the Gospel of the Family.
The contributing Cardinals are Robert Sarah, Carlo Caffarra, Baselios Cleemis, Paul Josef Cordes, Dominik Duka, Joachim Meisner, Camillo Ruini, Antonio María Rouco Varela, Willem Jacobus Eijk, John Onaiyekan, and Jorge L. Urosa Savino.
• Read a chapter from the book at Catholic World Report.
"Marriage in Our Contemporary World: Pastoral Observations from an African Perspective"
A groom places a ring on the finger of his bride during a wedding ceremony at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 1, 2009. (CNS photo/Saabi, Galbe.Com)
Marriage in Our Contemporary World: Pastoral Observations from an African Perspective | John Cardinal Onaiyekan | CWR
In an exclusive excerpt from Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint, the archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria addresses challenges facing marriage from the perspective of African Christianity.
[Editor’s note: The following is an exclusive excerpt from the book Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family: Essays from a Pastoral Viewpoint, which will be published by Ignatius Press September 15. The book also includes contributions by Cardinals Robert Sarah, Carlo Caffarra, Baselios Cleemis, Paul Josef Cordes, Dominik Duka, Joachim Meisner, Camillo Ruini, Antonio María Rouco Varela, Willem Jacobus Eijk, and Jorge L. Urosa Savino. Topics addressed in the book include marriage and family life, divorce and civil marriage, marriage preparation, and secular challenges to family life.]
Introduction
Today, marriage has become a matter for great debate both within and outside the Church. The debate has come even right into the sacred places of the Church of God, to the extent that a lot of our Christians are getting worried even to the point of panic. A good demonstration was what happened during the first session of the synod on the family, which took place in Rome in October 2014. Somewhere along the line, the mass media became full of rumors to the effect that finally the Catholic Church was changing her rigid position and was at last catching up with the rest of the world, not only in the reconsideration of divorce and remarriage, but also with regard to homosexuality and same-sex unions.
I was not in Rome. I was in my house in Abuja. Phone calls were coming to me from both Nigeria and abroad from very concerned Catholics wondering what was happening to the Church. Interestingly enough, I receive calls from even non-Catholics, including Muslim friends, asking what was happening to our Church. My reply to them all was: “No need for panic. The boat of Peter may be in turbulence. But it will never sink. It will always arrive at its shores because Jesus is in it.” We must have faith in the Holy Spirit guiding his Church. We must believe especially in the special grace of the Holy Spirit guiding the Vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter, our pope. I was glad and thrilled the next day to receive reports of the proceedings from the synod hall that went on to confirm my faith in the Church and that I passed on to those who a day before had reached out to me. We are in much the same situation today. It is a question of whether, indeed, there is such a thing as a doctrine of the Church that is firm, solid, and immutable or whether the Church will have to follow the latest developments and trends around us rather than lead humanity to salvation.
1. Contemporary developments
The issues of marriage and family should be placed within the general context of developments in the world of our day, especially in those societies that claim to be developed.
The Sacrament of Matrimony: A Conversation with Millennials
The Sacrament of Matrimony: A Conversation with Millennials | Fr. Philip-Michael F. Tangorra, STL | Homiletic & Pastoral Review
Introduction
There is no debate that among those of the millennial generation, religious/sacramental marriages are in decline. Why are sociologists predicting that 25 percent of millennials will never marry, and that, currently, 25 percent of millennials between the ages of 25-34 cohabitate, instead of marrying?1 Furthermore, Mass attendance and charitable giving to the life and support of one’s parish among millennials is also down from previous generations. Why is this, and why do I have anything to say about it?
First of all, I graduated from high school in 2001 … I am the very definition of a millennial! I know and understand the millennial generation—my generation—not because I am a sociologist or statistician, but because I am a part of the millennial generation. Second, the two opening statements above are true for good reasons:
The economic recession of 2007/2008 greatly impacted the earliest demographic of the millennial generation, and our career advancement, as well as our earnings potential. In addition, the incredible cost of college education and incurred debt has become prohibitive for young couples who wish to start a new life together when such debt can negatively affect one’s approval for a home mortgage.
Twenty-four percent of millennials grew up with divorced parents and 11 percent of millennials grew up in a single-parent household, not knowing (at least, well) their other parent. Why would our millennial generation commit to marriage, when we fail to see, in such a huge demographic of our parent’s generation, that marriage has a favorable outcome?
Religious practice among millennials, specifically Catholic millennials, is split. And this is a slight anomaly among millennials, because millennials, generally speaking, are very much united since the philosophy of “inclusivism” is probably the strongest value held by them. Thus, this particular point needs further exploration.
Religious practice among millennials varies. There are those who grew up in the enthusiastic embrace of Pope St. John Paul II, and who also loved Pope Benedict XVI. These millennials were greatly influenced by World Youth Day, and other such events, and papal teachings. On the other hand, there are those who grew up in a more secular or nontraditional home because their parents had lost the faith during the turbulent days of the 1960s and 1970s, or were divorced, or single-parent families. These millennials are more taken with contemporary trends and sociopolitical movements, which are largely at odds with traditional Catholic teachings on faith and morals. This is the “spiritual, not religious” crowd. Of course, there are also millennials who are just rebellious. Still, there are those who are faithful, church-attending Catholics, but marked with a clear interest characteristic of millennials, that is, they favor “change” and/or “inclusivism.” Specifically, they seek change regarding the Church’s stance on gay marriage, contraception, sex outside of marriage, and similar social issues. This “change” crowd feels that “inclusivity” is more important than centuries old understandings of marriage and family. Now, these characterizations are broad and general. But the millennial generation is all about being unique so, most likely, a millennial reading about these generalizations will find fault with them. Nevertheless, for all intents and purposes, they do characterize, in broad terms, the millennial Catholic.
Yet, we millennials are not a “lost” generation to the faith. Among millennials, there are certain characteristic marks that intrinsically lend themselves to religion. We have a great thirst for the mysterious and supernatural (will there be yet another movie or TV series about wizards, vampires, or the supernatural?). We are generally liberal, and thus express a great interest in social justice and service to the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. We millennials are also upbeat and positive. We are self-confident, sometimes too much so; and we are respectful to our elders. Lastly, we see Jesus as “inclusive,” and inclusivity is our banner. The free gift of salvation is offered to all people of faith, hope, and love in God. Marriage as a sacramental sign of that inclusive offering of salvation by Christ is a point of emphasis that must be developed and proclaimed among us millennials. Any creative and insightful pastor/parish priest should be able to “tap” into these traits and give us millennials what we desire most: a sense of belonging. When we, as millennials, feel we can take some ownership, and are welcomed into a community such as a parish, that is a positive and inclusive message, and we will become a lifelong asset.
But for one issue, millennials need not become another lost generation to the Catholic Church. In the past, if a person was less active in the Church during adolescence or young adulthood, after marrying and having children, he or she would return, once again attending Mass faithfully, and participating in the parish community. Yet, with millennials (of course, we have to be different), this is not the trend. Why? Because what the Church teaches is wrong, bad, or exclusionary? Absolutely not. The problem is the oldest and simplest: a lack of understanding. We do not understand the message of the Church regarding marriage. This is probably due to any number of reasons, some of which include our experience of an unsuccessful marriage, or our experience of family life in our own upbringing. Poor catechesis during childhood is another possible reason (let’s make a collage!); or the influence of the secular media; or social issues “hitting home” with family or friends; or apparent, but not necessarily conflicting, values such as faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and inclusivism.
Consequently, there are two things that are greatly needed:
The Lewis Society and the genuine enjoyment of rational disagreement
The Lewis Society and the genuine enjoyment of rational disagreement | Holly Ordway | CWR
The collected essays in C.S. Lewis and His Circle demonstrate the importance of lively debate and robust discussion of serious questions
Should the opportunity ever arise to do a bit of time-traveling – say, if a police call-box materialized in front of me – I’d be inclined to ask for just a short hop back, to Oxford in the 1940s, where (aided by a ring of invisibility) I could sit in on an Inklings meeting in C.S. Lewis’s Magdalen College rooms, or a Tuesday-morning gathering at the Eagle & Child pub.
Alas, no such travel is possible, but something just as good – or, dare I say, even better? – is possible: participation in a group that starts with the Inklings and their legacy and carries it onward. While the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society is not the oldest Lewis Society – that honor goes to the New York C.S. Lewis Society, founded in 1969 – it is still more than thirty years old, and has the distinction of meeting continuously in Oxford, the city where the Inklings met and where Lewis and Tolkien pursued distinguished academic and creative careers.
The excellent new volume C.S. Lewis and His Circle – appropriately subtitled Essays and Memoirs from the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society – is a collection of addresses given at the Society at various points since its founding in 1982.
It behooves me, then, to say a few words about the Oxford Lewis Society – whose gatherings I’ve had the pleasure of attending on many occasions over the past few years.
The Society meets, during term-time, on Tuesday evenings in the Frederic Hood Room of Pusey House, on a street called St Giles. At 8:00 pm attendees make their way upstairs and settle themselves to hear the week’s talk – sometimes by a visiting scholar, sometimes by one of the Society members. Following the talk is a Q&A, and here the quality of the group shines brightly, because the audience is comprised of well-educated, highly engaged, and super-articulate people who ask great questions and make valuable contributions to the discussion. Though that might seem a bit intimidating, in fact the atmosphere of the Society is relaxed and inviting. At about 9:30 the assembled company puts the chairs away and those who are so inclined re-locate to the Lamb & Flag pub for more conversation. (The Eagle & Child is usually too full.) Anyone can come to the meetings – from new reader to senior scholar, from any background or academic discipline, Christian or non-Christian. And the talks themselves are highly varied – some very specialized, others broad. Michael Ward writes in his insightful Afterword on the history of the Society that “Perhaps chief among the reasons for the longevity and liveliness of the Oxford Lewis Society is that, despite its name, it is not a single-issue group. ‘Lewis’ really serves as an umbrella term that covers an array of authors and a range of concerns.”
Opening C.S. Lewis and His Circle, then, is like being invited to step into the Frederic Hood Room of Pusey House.
Cardinal George Pell challenges readers in book to “Test Everything”
The renowned Cardinal George Pell, formerly Archbishop of Sydney and recently appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican, challenges readers with the admonition of Saint Paul in his book: Test Everything: Hold Fast to What is Good
. These powerful reflections, taken from eighty homilies, discourses and pastoral letters over 25 years, consider some of the ultimate questions that confront us all: Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What is the good we should do and the evil we should avoid?
Reaching out to youth, as well as to people of all ages, faiths, and experiences, Cardinal Pell uses an engaging style mixed with a keen Aussie wit. He writes as a seasoned story-teller, an expert historian, an insightful scholar, a patriot par excellence, and an outstanding Churchman.
His advice to all is credible, practical, and helpful: Search for genuine love. Do not follow the crowd. Remember to pray. He reminds Christians, “Every lover must be a fighter. . . . We know that evil will triumph if good people do nothing.” To those harboring doubts or tempted to disbelief he brings steadfast encouragement. “The Christian vision does not deceive,” he writes, “if it comes slowly, wait, for it will come without fail.”
Among the many interesting topics he discusses are the Trinity, the meaning of suffering, the relationship between faith and science, the role of Christians in public life, and the enduring wisdom of Humanae Vitae.
Tess Livingstone, author of the Foreword of Test Everything and the authorized biography George Pell: Defender of the Faith Down Under (Ignatius Press, 2005), offers this insight about Cardinal Pell’s writings: “What is the view from the cardinal’s heights? He is leader who know his people well and writes with clarity and insight. His critical choices regarding “the culture wars” are on target. With irony, humor, and easily worn scholarship, he counsels and cajoles the reader . . . his writings reveal a strong, gentle, and all-embracing heart.”
Cardinal Pell’s overall message points us to the Cross of Christ as the unique and final measure of what it means to be human, and thus holy. Cardinal Pell, modern man of faith, vision and action, inspires readers to go deeper and to “test everything”.
About the Author:
George Cardinal Pell, formerly Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, was appointed in 2014 by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Urbaniana University, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Oxford University. His previous books include Issues of Faith and Morals and an authorized biography by Tess Livingston, George Pell: Defender of the Faith Down Under.
Tess Livingstone, the author of the Foreword of Test Everything, is available for interviews about this book. To request a review copy or an interview with Tess Livingstone, please contact:
Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press at (239) 867-4180 or rose@ignatius.com
Product Facts:
Title: TEST EVERYTHING
Hold Fast to What is Good
Author: Cardinal George Pell
Release Date: August 2015
Length: 342 pages
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-58617992-2 • Softcover
Order: 1-800-651-1531 • www.ignatius.com
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