Quest interview with Elizabeth James author of ‘The Turkey Baster Diaries’

Interviewee: Elizabeth James (Lizzie), author – Interviewer: Gerard Swan, Chair to Quest Gerard:         Hi Lizzie and welcome to Quest. I have to say that I was absolutely delighted to be offered the opportunity to have an advanced read of your new book ‘The Turkey Baster Dairies’ in preparation for this interview, which coincides with its forthcoming…… Continue reading Quest interview with Elizabeth James author of ‘The Turkey Baster Diaries’

Blood on its Hands: The Church and LGBT Youth by Carol Shepherd

I was fortunate enough to be offered an advanced copy of this book by the author. The keynote speaker at the 2019 Gathering Voices conference ‘Extending the Table’, Carol Shepherd, an academic, has an impressive publications portfolio. In this book she challenges ‘the Christian church’ to consider the all-too-well documented negative impacts of its teaching…… Continue reading Blood on its Hands: The Church and LGBT Youth by Carol Shepherd

Rough Ideas: Reflections on Music and More by Stephen Hough

The author notes in his introduction that “Hough rhymes with rough” and uses the same word in his title. The irony is that he, as a man, and this, as writing, are about as far from rough as I can imagine. This is a most ‘refined’ book from an extraordinary man, whose ‘rough ideas’ cover…… Continue reading Rough Ideas: Reflections on Music and More by Stephen Hough

‘The Book of Queer Prophets’

Quest is delighted to see the publication and release today of ‘The Book of Queer Prophets’ (by Harper Collins)  #queerprophets. “THE BOOK OF QUEER PROPHETS’ challenges the idea that sexuality and faith are incompatible and highlights the stories of people who are excluded by faith communities that preach about love but fail to assist the…… Continue reading ‘The Book of Queer Prophets’

Book Review: A Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Call to Mercy and Solidarity with Migrants and Refugees

Pope Francis, A stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Call to Mercy and Solidarity with Migrants and Refugees, Robert Ellsberg, ed., Orbis, Maryknoll, 2018 This book provides a valuable resource in gathering together homilies, addresses and commentaries by Pope Francis on the subject of migrants and refugees. Part 1 contains 24 entries under the heading…… Continue reading Book Review: A Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Call to Mercy and Solidarity with Migrants and Refugees

Book Review: In the Closet of the Vatican

In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy by Frédéric Martel (English translation by Shaun Whiteside, Bloomsbury, 2019) Before reading this book, I thought I had a fair idea of the high proportion of gay clerics in the ranks of the institutional Church. After reading it, I realise that I had badly underestimated the…… Continue reading Book Review: In the Closet of the Vatican

Book Review – Inclusivity: a Gospel mandate by Dairmuid O’Murchu

I found this book stimulating and challenging. Dairmuid O’Murchu presents an appeal to rediscover, and keep at the centre of our spiritual lives, the essential Gospel command of an inclusive attitude of welcome, forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance. The challenge is reinforced from two complementary angles. First, from the evidence of Jesus’ encounters with the…… Continue reading Book Review – Inclusivity: a Gospel mandate by Dairmuid O’Murchu