Introduction

[John]

In this absorbing interview, Bishop Athanasius Schneider offers a candid, incisive examination of controversies raging in the Church and the most pressing issues of our times, providing clarity and hope for beleaguered Catholics. He addresses such topics as widespread doctrinal confusion, the limits of papal authority, the documents of Vatican II, the Society of St. Pius X, anti-Christian ideologies and political threats, the third secret of Fatima, the traditional Roman rite, and the Amazon Synod, among many others. Like his fourth-century patron, St. Athanasius the Great, Bishop Schneider says things that others won’t, fearlessly following St. Paul’s advice: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). His insights into the challenges facing Christ’s flock today are essential reading for those who are, or wish to be, alert to the signs of the times. Reminiscent of The Ratzinger Report of 1985, Christus Vincit will be a key point of reference for years to come.

A Note: I started the book early to hopefully come up with some questions, I have a few potential questions, but have not come anywhere near to reading the whole book. This is a book to be engaged with and not raced through. I will start with a few of our standard discussion questions and add more over the coming days. Like always, please feel free to add discussion questions of your own if there is a topic you think worth discussing that I don't get to (or haven't gotten to yet - no need to wait for me).

[Frances]

Thank you, John.

[Galicius]

I am glad that this reading was selected. I first heard about Bishop Schneider and this fine work when it was voted on early this year and read it with great interest.

[Madeleine]

I wish this book were required reading for everyone under the age of forty! So many young people have no idea what socialism is or what it does to the life they take for granted. When I taught high school, one of the plays we put on in my theater class was "Don't Drink the Water," a wonderful satire on the Cold War and tourism.
I had to give a lengthy explanation of what the Cold War was, and this was twenty years ago.

[Jill]

If anyone is hesitating to start what sounds like a weighty book, at least the first section is mostly the story of his life, very conversational. Wade on in!

[John]

Jill wrote: "If anyone is hesitating to start what sounds like a weighty book, at least the first section is mostly the story of his life, very conversational. Wade on in!"

That's right, and what an interesting life and background he has come from. As always, persecution purifies the church. I suspect we have that purification coming to the Church in the West.

[Mike]

I highlighted many of the same selections