Breaking Faith: The Pope, the People and the Fate of Catholicism

by JohnCornwell (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2002

  $3.31

  During the 1990s and into the 21st century, divisions within the Catholic Church have ripened into hatred and contempt and the Vatican is making little or no attempt to heal the antagonism. This text surveys the state of the Church throughout the world and suggests that a major schism in the Church is imminent unless the papacy determines to heal the rifts between conservatives and liberals, orthodoxy and pluralism. Amongst other things, the survey examines the role of women, the split between teaching and practice on sexual morals and the changing face of the priesthood.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2001

  $3.31

  The Catholic Church is an extraordinary operation. Even in our supposedly secular age it numbers more than a billion faithful throughout the world, and its followers are increasing at a remarkable rate. But today, on the threshold of a new papacy, Catholics face a gamut of crises threatening division, fragmentation - even schism. Far from healing the rift, the Vatican under Pope John Paul II is driving the opposing factions still further apart. In this highly controversial book John Cornwell, himself a committed Catholic, assesses the state of the Church throughout the world. He warns that on the death of Pope John Paul II a major schism - and with it the spectre of a new Reformation - will occur unless his successor can bridge the gulf between conservatives and progressives. The role of women in the Church; the split between teaching and practice on birth control, sexual morals and divorce; the changing face of the priesthood: all are examined in this riveting survey.