After daring to challenge the legacy of Pope Pius XII in Hitler's Pope, Cornwell has taken on another daunting subject: the future of the church he left as a young adult and to which he later returned. This latest work mingles the author's personal memories and feelings with history, statistics and some analysis. Sometimes Cornwell tries to play the role of journalist, merely reporting how both sides view the current state of affairs in the church. But as one who is clearly identified with the liberal Catholic wing, he can hardly mask his displeasure with those who represent the church's conservative element, particularly the present pope. Overall, Cornwell paints a dark picture of contemporary Catholicism and lays much of the blame for it at the feet of John Paul II, a "master of spin" who he says has demoralized millions of Catholics by accusing them of sinful sexual conduct. Apart from getting a new pope, though, Cornwell is not particularly clear about what should be done to remedy the church's problems. On one hand, he concedes to conservatives their point that Catholicism can't survive by making itself look like other religions, but on the other he seems to be urging the church to conform to the world by adjusting its teachings on sexuality. Regardless, fellow liberal Catholics will find much here with which to commiserate, and those seeking a provocative viewpoint will not be disappointed. (Oct.)
Forecast:
Hitler's Pope spent five weeks on the
New York Times bestseller list. This title should get a sales boost from an October 1 appearance on the
Today show and a four-city author tour.
