The Reform of the Papacy: The Costly Call to Christian Unity

by John R. Quinn

Pope John Paul II has opened the question as to how the papacy can be reformed so as to be more suitable to the new ecumenical situation of the Church. In response to this call, Archbishop John Quinn points out that doctrinal dialogues are not enough. The hope of Christian unity cannot rest solely on the hope of doctrinal convergence. There must also be reforms within the Catholic Church, reforms of the way the papal office is exercised and reform particularly of the Roman Curia and of curial policies and procedures. Following the direction set by John Paul II in the Encyclical Ut unum sint, Archbishop Quinn looks to the structures and practices of the first millennium Church as an important key to these reforms.

Genres: Catholic, Theology

189 pages, Hardcover

First published December 25, 1999

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pope Francis is quoted as telling the author of this book, Archbishop John Quinn, “I‘ve read your book and am hoping it will be implemented.” This is significant as the book speaks to a dysfunctional Roman Catholic Church.*

Quinn is basically saying that the Roman Catholic Church is no longer catholic, that is, universal, all-embracing and diverse. Authority is top to bottom. Decision-making needs to become more horizontal and include input from bishops, priests, laity, non-Catholics, Jews, Muslims, non-believers, singles, the married, the divorced, the childless and gays. All are welcome. Issues needing discussion include married priests, ordination of women, divorce, re-marriage, war, poverty, birth control, alienated young people, clerical abuse of children, financial accountability, collegiality and de-centralization.
This book does not require a degree in theology. I understood 50-75% of the book and feel I understood what Archbishop Quinn was stating. Anyone who is disillusioned with the Catholic Church may find some hope in reading this book. Five stars.


*About 300 AD the Catholic Church became part of the Holy Roman Empire and Emperor Constantine. It marked the beginning of the "Roman" Catholic becoming “un catholic’ and more of a religio-political state.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an intriguing read for a Catholic, Orthodox, or high church Anglican or Lutheran, etc. interested in how the Roman Catholic Church might actually change its central structures (as opposed to some BS suggestions from people whose main interest, conscious or not, is destruction of the Church as antithetical to their own belief system and desires). The most intriguing part for me is the introduction, where Quinn ties his work directly to JP II's encyclical Ut Unum Sint.

An angle I wish Quinn had developed in much more detail is the historical development of the Curia and a consideration of how its past and present structure was driven by the needs of running the Papal States as much as to see to the transmission and preservation of orthodox Christian doctrine in the western church. There are other angles. This book is too short for its subject matter by a long shot. Of course, superficiality and excessive generality are not uncommon among prelates. Drives me up the wall. Progress can only be made on any problem where the path forward is not obvious by coming up with concrete, specific plans of action and either trying them or at least holding them out for broad consideration and criticism and emendation.