The Coming Catholic Church

August 1, 2003
Much has been written about the crisis over sexual abuse that has plagued the contemporary Catholic Church. It is Gibson's contention that this scandal and the subsequent reaction to it are rooted in a much larger and long-term crisis. That the church has been in a state of turmoil for decades is a reality that cannot be ignored. Coupled with this is the fact that American Catholics have always struggled with their dual identity as simultaneous members of both a secular democratic society and a hierarchical religious body. According to the author, the future of American Catholicism is not in jeopardy; rather, the crisis has prompted vigorous debate and afforded an opportunity for healthy change within the three traditional ranks of the church: the laity, the clergy, and the hierarchy. This book provides no pat answers; it merely poses the questions and outlines the possibilities that could usher in a new and more dynamic era in American Catholicism.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)

August 1, 2003
Not another entry in the Catholic Church "scandal" genre, this is instead a prophetic statement about evolving Catholicism that emphasizes the possibilities latent within the current crisis-ridden institution. A lay Catholic who has worked for Vatican Radio and as a religion reporter for various newspapers, Gibson employs his experience and Vatican insider status to author this delicately balanced work. The darker sides of hierarchical polities are fully exposed and the sinful exploits of errant ecclesiastics revealed. Nevertheless, Gibson uses this discussion as the starting point to articulate a new epoch of faith, tried and purified. The text is divided into three major sections-"Laity," "Priesthood," and "Hierarchy"-each having several chapters developing a new framework for the Church. Although journalistic in style, Gibson's book provides adequate historical detail and commentary, giving a sense of completeness. This new vision could be interpreted as a manifesto for the laity, but the priesthood and hierarchy retain an intrinsic, albeit changed, role. Honest, hopeful, and challenging, this book is highly recommended for larger public libraries.-John-Leonard Berg, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., Platteville

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