Books / Resources

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

Document on Youth Synod: advice to LGBT+ young Catholics is lacking

On the feast of the Annunciation (25 March), Pope Francis signed a Letter to Young People (Christus Vivit [“Christ is alive”]), the result of the Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment last year. In this Letter, Pope Francis makes a direct appeal to young people, addressing them throughout. He encourages them to grow in…… Continue reading Document on Youth Synod: advice to LGBT+ young Catholics is lacking

Vatican braces itself for a difficult year

“In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy” a book by Frederic Martel and translated into English by Shaun Whiteside, is set to be published by Bloomsbury Continuum in February. At just short of 600 pages the book is being promoted as an exposition of “the rot at the heart of the Vatican and the Roman…… Continue reading Vatican braces itself for a difficult year

Book Review: The Final Retreat by Stephen Hough

To say that I was hooked from the first paragraph of the first chapter of this book would be an understatement; it grabbed me in such a way that I experienced time travel and was yanked back to my first days as a priest. Fr Joseph Flynn is a Catholic priest who has wandered from…… Continue reading Book Review: The Final Retreat by Stephen Hough

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

Paul: a biography by N T Wright

The first occasion I was prevailed upon to prepare the liturgies for a Quest Conference, following the first Evening Prayer of the conference, I was dumbfounded to find myself under fire from a delegate because I had included a reading from one of St Paul’s letters. My complainant believed that Paul’s writings should be banished…… Continue reading Paul: a biography by N T Wright

Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)

Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad). Pope Francis I. Catholic Truth Society. ISBN 978-1-784-69596-5 Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Rejoice and Be Glad, on the call to holiness in today’s world, at a first glance did not appear to be the good read that I hoped it would be. Reviewers elsewhere have described it as…… Continue reading Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)

Resource: “A Catholic Conversation About Homosexuality”

Digging through my archives at Queering the Church, I’m delighted to have found a post I thought had been irretrievably lost, relating to a most useful resource at Fortunate Families. I thought it was important when I first came across it years ago: it’s even more important now, with the more pastoral tone coming from…… Continue reading Resource: “A Catholic Conversation About Homosexuality”

“Queer and Catholic” – NOT a Contradiction

Mark Dowd is a long term member and supporter of Quest. Last night, I and several other Quest members enjoyed the London launch of his impressive new book, “Queer and Catholic”. (Members from up North, attended an earlier launch in Mark’s hometown of Manchester). The book is subtitled “a life of contradictions”. However, as…… Continue reading “Queer and Catholic” – NOT a Contradiction

James Martins Building a Bridge: “Brave, Prophetic and Inspiring”

Brave, prophetic and inspiring are among the plaudits handed out to a book that will be released soon, Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity, written by Fr James Martin, SJ, a regular contributor to the magazine America. Fr James is…… Continue reading James Martins Building a Bridge: “Brave, Prophetic and Inspiring”