About book Betrayal: The Crisis In The Catholic Church (2003)
I read this book in 2003. What I wrote back then in my journal felt angry, but given the topic, the outrage is definitely appropriate. However, if you are one of those Catholics who think your church can do no wrong, then you probably want to stop reading here and avoid this book. For the rest of the open minded and rational people, read on. By the way, this is not "happy" reading; for some people, it will make you angry or depressed, but it is an important read. If I recall, I borrowed this one at the public library. Here is what I wrote back then: >>The book was written by the staff of the Boston Globe, who broke the story. The book does an excellent job of documenting the scandal. The victims' narratives were moving, but what I found outrageous and upsetting was the church's arrogant culture of indifference to the victims and selfish desire to protect itself. I think when I was younger I would have never considered the church to be selfish, but over time I have seen enough of their bureaucracy and medievalism to be disappointed and dissatisfied. At any rate, the evidence of how the church protected pedophile priests, moving them from parish to parish, was simply outrageous; I truly felt angry the church allowed such a thing to happen without regard to the children that were harmed. The church at all times was more preoccupied with protecting its image than community safety, rushing to secret settlemenents with victim families. Over time, I have realized that the more I become educated, the more I question things, including the church's arrogance and closed mindedness. I understand and applaud the sincere Catholics whose faith moves them to good works, but it is clear the overall culture of the church is one of oppression and self-perpetuation of pretension and closed minds. This book only reaffirmed my reasons for dissatisfaction. The book ends documenting laity efforts to reform the Catholic Church from within, yet it was not a hopeful note as the entrenched hierarchy seems more interested in "quashing" any dissent. For an investigative piece, this book is an excellent book; it was well done. It includes an appendix with various documents to add to the narrative, including letters to bishops by victims or the victims' families appealing for help or protection, appeals that were mostly patronized or altogether ignored. This is one of the most enraging and moving books I have read recently. <<
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