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by Eileen P. Flynn, Ph.D.
Paraview Press, 2003
ISBN: 1931044465
Current Affairs, 168 pages
Trade paperback, $13.95
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ABOUT THE
BOOK
It is the greatest crisis ever to face the Catholic Church -- the sexual
molestation of minors by priests and the way the church hierarchy tried to cover
up the situation, endangering more children in the process. Once it became
common knowledge in 2002, the ugly reality of a dysfunctional institution
corrupted by the complicity of cardinals and bishops in the sins of a relatively
small number of molesting priests has brought a powerful institution to
disgrace. Unable to postpone coping with this tragic reality, its leaders have
been forced to begin the recovery process. But will it go far enough? More than
60 million people in the U.S. are in a position to choose to let the church be
or to demand changes. Catholics at a Crossroads: Coverup, Crisis, and Cure
offers a penetrating analysis of how the unthinkable happened and what exactly
the Catholic Church needs to do to remedy the situation.
"Eileen Flynn charges church leaders to create and 'sustain genuine religious
communities.' Her book is a call for a return to humility, a renewed piety and
joins the discussion over what ails and what heals our contemporary faith." --
Frank Keating, former governor of Oklahoma, and Chair of the American Bishops'
Advisory Panel for the new national Office for Child and Youth Protection
“Flynn is asking hard questions, the kind that cloud the thoughts of many a
Catholic. All theologians should be so brave.” -- Jason Berry, author of Lead
Us Not Into Temptation
“Flynn accurately highlights the importance of laity involvement in addressing
problems within the Catholic Church.” -- Kathleen McChesney, director, Office
for Child and Youth Protection, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
“Flynn presents a sensitive account of one of the saddest tragedies. She makes
the case for a more transparent church and a more vocal membership.” -- Francis
J. Butler, president, FADICA
“Flynn exposes the scandal of clerical abuse and the complicity of the
hierarchy. She diagnoses the problem and presents a plan for a cure.” -- Theresa
Padovano, president, Voice of the Faithful, New Jersey
“Flynn’s hard-hitting theological analysis offers the American bishops a
scholar’s insight into steps they will need to consider if they wish to regain
moral leadership.” -- Susan Secker, Seattle University
"Eileen Flynn builds on her impressive record as theologian and
Catholic voice. In a wide-ranging, thoughtful review of the recent
crisis of clergy sexual abuse and episcopal malfeasance in office, she offers
both diagnosis and prescription. Useful reading for all those who care about the
Church, this book should be required reading for every American bishop." --
Timothy E. O'Connell, professor of Christian ethics at Loyola University
Chicago, is author of twelve books, including the award-winning Making
Disciples: A Handbook of Christian Moral Formation
"Eileen Flynn does the whole church a great service with this book. It is informed and balanced, honest and compassionate, courageous and wise. It is an invaluable resource that will help with our much-needed healing and reform." -- Thomas Groome, professor of theology and religious education,
Boston College, and author of What Makes Us Catholic
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