Rating: 
Summary: Encouragement for Orthodoxy
Review: I found myself reading this book over the course of just three evenings. This book really does bring into the open the pedophilia problem experienced by the church in the last couple decades especially and invites realistic reforms. The book provides a message of hope to orthdox Catholics, and perhaps even to those that are "Catholic Lite". Indeed, there is a whole world of adventure in being faithful to Rome. The author's assertions that much of what was to be implemented in Vatican II and set straight in the post Vatican II years was indeed misunderstood and misinterpreted, sometimes severely so. Even a glance at Vatican II basic facts shows that indeed the church was not trying to open itself up to the world but rather, trying to persuade the modern world to open itself to the church. The church will triumph, and grow from the current crisis. This is but one crisis in the church's history. A church founded by Christ, guided by the holy spirit, cannot but continue on. That the church has survived 2000 years is amazing and attests to the triumph of church over the secular world no matter how dark things may seem.
Rating:
Summary: Preaching to the Choir, Amen Brother
Review: I just finished the book; it was excellent. Anyone who's ever had to suffer the pale and sickly catholic (sic) modernist agenda will appreciate this book instantly. Actually, I'm not here to write a review, I'm here to read what the dissenters are saying. Yup, typical. They just don't get it and never will. In love with their disobedience the way an alcoholic loves his drink. At least Luther had the presence of mind to leave the Church as part of his apostasy. The dissenters have had their day, and now they're just angry because their efforts to destroy the Church have all but failed. I'm just glad to see the revival of orthodoxy and adherence to "the mind of the Church" in my lifetime. Thank you, Lord.
Rating: 
Summary: A frightening proposal...
Review: I just finished Weigel's book and have come away even more distressed than I thought possible, living here in Boston at "Ground Zero" of the clerical sexual abuse scandal. It's hard not to admire Weigel's passion, and his book is far more thoughtful than the profoundly insulting and poorly done "Goodbye, Good Men." However, his frame of reference (post-Vatican II) is far too narrow, and his undefined generalizations (e.g., "culture of dissent") are far too broad for this to offer any real and lasting solution. References to the Gospel, or any responsible, biblically based reflections are palpably absent; references to the Pope, of course, abound. His tricky little statement about the priesthood is fascinating: priests who "really believe" that they are "living icons" of Jesus CANNOT (Weigel's word) commit sins of sexual misconduct (but they can commit other sins...why is that)? Amazing! So the life of holiness and transformation in Christ are products of one's exaggerated (idolatrous?) self-concept and not the work of grace humbly depended upon and received? Right. I've met a few of the new vanguard of priests so admired by Weigel, men "formed in the image of Pope John Paul" (huh?), including one guy who tells folks that ordination is a form of "transubstantiation." (Where do these guys get this stuff)? Sorry, but turning the seminaries into neo-Tridentine boot camps is far from the answer. And can we honestly say that Weigel's proposal really reflects the mind of Jesus Christ? For those who love the Lord and the Church, the scandal is scary and heartbreaking indeed, but the "promise" that such a "renewed" priesthood holds for the Church is far more frightening. Holy Spirit, help us! There are a few surprises among Weigel's proposals: e.g., he does not think that celibate homosexuals should be barred from the priesthood; and, more notably, he indicates some limited role for the laity in choosing bishops. However, his overall vision of "reform and renewal" would, I think, necessarily preclude any real change.
Rating:
Summary: CRISIS OF FIDELITY -RADICAL CALL TO HOLINESS AND TRUTH
Review: I read this book from start to finish in one evening.It is the best study of the current crisis in the Catholic Church and indeed the state of the Catholic church I have yet read. The author's criticisms of past handling of sexual abuse are fearless but fair. Pope John Paul II's own excellent teachings on the formation of priests were given good exposure. The link between good priestly formation and adherence to the general teaching on sexual ethics was beautifully drawn.Best of all was George Weigel's passionate call to holiness through love of Christ and fidelity to His teaching- not just for the laity but priests and bishops alike. I finished the book with great hope and certainty that this crisis will eventually bring renewal.
I heartily recommend this book to all who are even only remotely interested in the Catholic church.
Rating:
Summary: Weigel's discouraging "Courage"
Review: I thought this would be a liberal call to reform, but it is not that at all. His exclusive attention is on the sexual abuse scandal, and the deeper problem of infidelity that implies to the teachings of the Church. Many kind and admiring words for ol' Pope John Paul II, who was also the subject of a biography he had written. He seems to see no sticking points between the current pope and the Second Vatican Council. No discussion of the position of women; a strong defense of celibacy and an unmarried priesthood; an attack on "gay" priests, as opposed to those who do not make sexuality a central part of their lives (those are OK). He is widely read, but I think really his last name should not be Weigel, but Weasel. His solution involves a spiritual transformation of bishops, a reordering of priorities in seminaries (less psychology, more theology), and other matters. I was, finally, not terribly impressed by this conservative critic of the church. Not Gary Will, that's for sure!
Rating:
Summary: Credible, Edifying and Disheartening
Review: Many books on the crisis in the Catholic Church seem heavily biased against the Church, thus making it difficult to believe information that they supply. That doesn't seem to be the case with this book. This one appears to be reporting a tremendous amount of clear cut, credible facts - not distortions of facts and also feelings and opinions (as is all too often done). It's with conviction then that I heartily recommend the reading of this book. It's most apt to have a major, positive impact on both your understanding of the issue and then perhaps on what you might do to respond in a responsible, helpful fashion.
Rating:
Summary: Gets to the heart of the matter
Review: Mr. Weigel's book focuses on the Church as a divine institution rather than a social construct. Priests are not mere social workers; they are participants in God's plan to sanctify humanity. By examining the origins of popular Catholic dissent in the United States in light of traditional Church teaching, Mr. Weigel offers a challenge to both faithful and lapsed Catholics alike to recommit to a radical fidelity to the Gospel. The gauntlet is thrown down to those who preach a gospel of "Catholic lite": the current young generation of Catholics has had their fill of granola and sprouts. It's time to dig into the meat of Catholic teaching: 2000 years of doctrinal, social and moral truth. Hope found here!
Rating:
Summary: excellent review
Review: once again george weigel has done a schorlarly review of an important and contemporary topic. he also gives his own personal interpretation and remedies while all the time maintaining loyalty and fidelity to the magisterium of the Church. i highly reccommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A wakeup call for all Catholics
Review: Read this book and pass it along - if you can afford it, buy an extra copy for your parish priest. Mr. Weigel has done a wonderful service in writing this book - are you confused about the current scandal? How did things get this way? How did evolve from a Bishop Fulton Sheen to a Father Paul Shanley? What can we do to reclaim and recapture all that makes Catholicism a shining beacon and the Way and Truth? Mr. Weigel writes simply and truthfully about the causes that led up to the current scandal, sparing nothing, not even the Vatican itself.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely indispensible
Review: The best analysis of--and prescription for healing--the current Scandal of infidelity in the Church. If you want to know what went wrong and what needs to be done to mend the Church, this is the book.
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