Description: Drawing on his own experience in responding to abuse, Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in this explosive work methodically offers a critique of the church's use and misuse of power, from the pope proclaiming infallibly down to the preacher claiming a divine authority for every word spoken from the pulpit. Going back to the Bible and, above all, to the teaching of Jesus, he presents an approach to sexual morality that is profound, compassionate, and people-centered. He stresses the priority of the hierarchy of holiness over the hierarchy of power. ¬ He offers nothing less than a vision for a church of the third millennium--a church that wants to see in its members the responsibility appropriate to adults rather than the obedience appropriate to children and wants to help all people to grow to become all they are capable of being.
You will love or hate this book but not be able to remain neutral.
Through the story of sexual abuse and the church's response, I came to the unshakeable belief that within the Catholic Church there absolutely must be profound and enduring change. In particular, there must be change on the two subjects of power and sex. --From the Introduction
Review Summary: Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church
Date: 2008-10-30
Details: Essential reading for any thinking, mature Catholic who is dismayed at the current efforts to downplay Vatican II, consolidate power of the hierarchy, and limit the development and active participation of parishioners.
Details: An honest, mature and authorative view of our church today: how we got here; what we have brought with us; our current situation; and a hopeful look to our future. An aid to answering some basic questions: what did Jesus show us and what does Jesus expect from us: sing a new song to the Lord with Me.
Review Summary: Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church
Date: 2008-10-15
Details: An excellent and very readable book that has provided me with much needed insight as a very troubled Episcopalian at this time of our schism over the ordination of an openly gay bishop in 2003.
Review Summary: Balanced , spiritual and realistic
Date: 2008-09-16
Details: Thank goodness! Another Catholic bishop "gets it." Bishop Robinson shed light on our images of God, Scripture and sexuality that are unique, balanced, spiritual and realistic. He is honest and fair both to our culture and our religious traditions, to individuals as well as institutions. Robinson does not claim to have THE answer; he is humble enough to admit that his book is AN answer. It is a breath of fresh air - and the Holy Spirit!
Review Summary: Telling the truth to power
Date: 2008-09-13
Details: Anyone who is interested in the future of the Catholic Church, especially anyone who is interested in staying in it (as opposed to walking away in disgust) MUST read this book. Bishop Robinson paid a heavy price for writing this book and for telling the truth, and yet he still believes in the Church and in its future. Insightful and inspiring.
out of 15 Reviews
