Breaking Faith

As John Paul II's papacy draws to a close, the Church, its policies, & its future are being scrutinized by governments, religious leaders, & millions of Catholics around the globe. The election of the next pope will have a greater impact on world affairs than that of the next president of the United States--or the leader of any single nation. In his controversial bestseller Hitler's Pope, John Cornwell eloquently expressed both disagreement with the Catholic Church & his own deeply felt commitment to it. Here, he examines a Catholic Church in crisis, providing a penetrating overview of this institution at a crossroads. In Breaking Faith, Cornwell explains why he left the Church but returned to it after twenty years because he "couldn't do without it" & because he is convinced that Catholicism still has the power to make the world a better place. Cornwell addresses issues that range from the core concepts of everyday practice--confession, liturgy, sexual practices, divorce--to issues that concern the organization of the church globally including the changing face of priesthood, the ordination of women, & the challenge of the conservative movement worldwide. He argues that the Church is a vital channel for good works & a source of broad moral direction, even for those who are not bound by its strictures. Cornwell has spent a lifetime thinking about individual choice & the Catholic Church. He offers readers a highly provocative, personal, & passionate book that explores both the striking divisions in today's Church & the strengths upon which it can draw to survive & thrive in the coming century. Breaking Faith is sure to spark worldwide debate among Catholics & non-Catholics alike.Cornwell, John is the author of 'Breaking Faith' with ISBN 9780670030026 and ISBN 0670030023.