What do you think?
The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church
Though Pope Francis remains one of the most popular figures in the world, his pontificate has stirred up powerful opposition. Some reject his openness to divorced and remarried Catholics and the priority he places on mercy above rigid doctrine. Others reject his outspoken defense of migrants, his critiques of capitalism, and calls to protect the environment. Most of all, his critics fear his insistence that the Church must place living out the message of the Gospel with integrity ahead of serving and maintaining institutional power, secular or ecclesial. In this book, Christopher Lamb, The Tablet's reporter in Rome, examines the Pope’s ministry and agenda for the church, as well as the forces of opposition mobilized against him. What will this mean and portend for the Catholic Church? Will Pope Francis move the church in the direction he wants, or will his critics succeed in thwarting his efforts?
- GenresReligion
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 18, 2022
Author CHARLES LAMB is the Rome correspondent for "The Guardian". In this volume he chronicles the pontificate of Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected pope on 13 March 2011) through a series of roadblocks, accusations, and attacks mounted by opposition within the Catholic Church and particularly among the hierarchy against this first Bishop of Rome to come from the southern Hemisphere.
Actually, Francis is first in a number of ways which make his leadership style disconcerting to those who have locked themselves into what they had expected to be protected positions within the Catholic Church. He is the first native Argentinian and therefore South American to become pope. He is the first Jesuit to be elected to the See of Peter and the first religious chosen since the very conservative Camaldolese priest Bartolomeo Cappellari was elected as Gregory XVI in 1831. Cappellari was a monk, and very predictable, Bergoglio served in the periphery of Buenas Aires and very pastoral. But add to that that Bergoglio is the first son of poor immigrants to be chosen as pope since the 4th century, and used to being on the outside of the dominant culture (something that few commentators even notice, much less mention), and it is no wonder that power bids do not impress him (my comment, not Charles Lamb's). For many reasons, the title "The Outsider" is well chosen.
This book fascinated me at every turn of the page. Many popes have been scorned by those outside the Catholic Church, but Francis has been derided, sabotages, upbraided and attacked by those inside the Curia, the college of Cardinals, the American Bishops' Conference, the American Catholic networks and even seminarians. OMG, really? Charles Lamb documents the attacks, but in doing so, unmasks the many power plays by those who oppose this pope. He has also shown the Francis' supporters are the poor, the humble, the hard-working, the salt-of-the-earth laity and religious close to the people most in need.
This little volume is outstanding. I've marked up my copy and will read it again. I also intend to use it as recommended readings in graduate courses that I teach at the Institute of Salesian Studies and the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. I can't recommend it enough!
Actually, Francis is first in a number of ways which make his leadership style disconcerting to those who have locked themselves into what they had expected to be protected positions within the Catholic Church. He is the first native Argentinian and therefore South American to become pope. He is the first Jesuit to be elected to the See of Peter and the first religious chosen since the very conservative Camaldolese priest Bartolomeo Cappellari was elected as Gregory XVI in 1831. Cappellari was a monk, and very predictable, Bergoglio served in the periphery of Buenas Aires and very pastoral. But add to that that Bergoglio is the first son of poor immigrants to be chosen as pope since the 4th century, and used to being on the outside of the dominant culture (something that few commentators even notice, much less mention), and it is no wonder that power bids do not impress him (my comment, not Charles Lamb's). For many reasons, the title "The Outsider" is well chosen.
This book fascinated me at every turn of the page. Many popes have been scorned by those outside the Catholic Church, but Francis has been derided, sabotages, upbraided and attacked by those inside the Curia, the college of Cardinals, the American Bishops' Conference, the American Catholic networks and even seminarians. OMG, really? Charles Lamb documents the attacks, but in doing so, unmasks the many power plays by those who oppose this pope. He has also shown the Francis' supporters are the poor, the humble, the hard-working, the salt-of-the-earth laity and religious close to the people most in need.
This little volume is outstanding. I've marked up my copy and will read it again. I also intend to use it as recommended readings in graduate courses that I teach at the Institute of Salesian Studies and the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. I can't recommend it enough!
May 13, 2020
interessante, ma centrato soprattutto sull'opposizione USA
May 15, 2023
greater insight and detail
I have an interest in understanding the nature of opposition to Pope Francis and his vision. This book provided more detail and insight than I previously had. I now face the task of understanding the competing positions and interests discussed in the book. As a later in life Catholic who remembers pre-Vatican II and has lived most of my life applying it in my life, this information will help me identify friends and foes alike. Then my choices will be made.
I have an interest in understanding the nature of opposition to Pope Francis and his vision. This book provided more detail and insight than I previously had. I now face the task of understanding the competing positions and interests discussed in the book. As a later in life Catholic who remembers pre-Vatican II and has lived most of my life applying it in my life, this information will help me identify friends and foes alike. Then my choices will be made.
May 10, 2022
There are many opponents of Pope Francis. They have been railing against him since day one. I found this book enlightening to the intentions and biases that try to thwart the Vicar of Christ. And to his humble yet decisive and challenging manner.
June 18, 2020
Extremely interesting & historical accounting of Pope Francis' views & actions as well as the opposition he's faced.
September 13, 2020
Would have liked the book to have been twice as long.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews