What Makes Us Catholic : Eight Gifts for Life

Rating:
Summary: Catholicism According to Groome
Review: What Makes Us Catholic? by Thomas Groome is a book that is being read by many in our diocese at the suggestion of diocesan leadership. A book that is promoted to such a wide variety of Catholics and is recommended for formation and discussion groups should be faithful to and respectful of church teaching. Groome's book does not fit either category.
The author negatively portrays most Catholics as struggling with the Church and it's teachings. The over use of inclusive language in this book is very cumbersome. When I went to the index to find how Groome handled different "hot" topics I found references to statements like these:
(p.102) It would appear that the Western church is insisting upon celibacy and maleness for priesthood at the expense of people's access of Eucharist - so central to Catholic identity and spirituality.
(p.114) There can be problems in making an argument from nature to favor society or social arrangements. For example, there has been much gender and racial bias in how the dominant culture has interpreted "nature." As late as 1880, the Massachusetts Medical Society argued that women were unsuited `by nature" to be physicians. This is not unlike the argument that the Catholic Church still makes against women becoming priests.
(p.263) " Catholics can have an air of know-it-all, acting as if ours is the only and completely true faith, replete with all the answers. Surely, this is more the sin of pride than a truly catholic spirituality. Some of the hubris is encouraged by a teaching magisterium that typically sounds absolutely certain in its pronouncements, as if faith is no longer a "leap" and all can be assured. The joke rings true that when the Catholic Church finally agrees to ordain women, the pronouncement will begin with, "As we have always taught..."
There was no attempt made to present the Catholic Church's point of view. These statements give us a glimpse of the author's attitude toward church leadership/authority.
The book has good points but it looses its credibility when statements like the above are made. I cannot find justification in recommending a book that is unfaithful to church teaching. The author is a master storyteller. It is too bad that the stories tend to be negative toward the church. One review I read actually stated, "However, despite the author's claim that he writes for Catholics "who span the spectrum," his views may alienate more conservative members." The reviewer is right. Where are the stories of life long Catholics who love the Catholic Church and have a respect for the authority of the "Keys," as given by Christ to His Catholic Church? Where are the stories of protestant clergy converts who study their way into the Catholic Church not because it is one of many good churches but because it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.
Wanting to end on a positive note, I would like to recommend Matthew Kelly's book, "Rediscovering Catholicism" as one that will help us to love, live and better understand what it means to live out our treasure filled Catholic faith.