Friday, 17 February 2012
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The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale Of Mystery, Death, And Salvation
The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale Of Mystery, Death, And Salvation
by Jon M. SweeneyAt the close of the tumultuous Middle Ages, there lived a man who seemed destined from birth to save the world. His name was Peter Morrone, a hermit, a founder of a religious order, and, depending on whom you talk to, a reformer, an instigator, a prophet, a coward, a saint, and possibly the victim of murder. A stroke of fate would, practically overnight, transform this humble servant of God into the most powerful man in the Catholic Church. Half a year later, he would be the only pope in history to abdicate the chair of St. Peter, an act that nearly brought the papacy to its knees. What led him to make that decision and what happened afterward would be shrouded in mystery for centuries. The Pope Who Quit pulls back the veil of secrecy on this dramatic time in history and showcases a story that involves deadly dealings, apocalyptic maneuverings, and papal intrigue.
I thought that this book sounded very interesting. It is about Peter Morrone, the pope who quit. A hermit, a reformer, an instigator, a prophet, a coward, a saint, and possible murder victim -- it all depends on who you talk to. That really made me interested in the book, which I received for free through Goodreads and was able to read before it hit stores 2/14/12.
After I got the book in the mail I realized that I might not be the ideal reviewer they are looking for thought because the book is by Image Catholic Books and I am an atheist, but here are my thoughts.
Growing up in an Anabaptist background I had taken church history in Mennonite school, so I know a bit about this time period in church history.
I would recommend this book to Catholics because if you are going to be catholic I think you should know your church history. I would also recommend this book to all Christians because like the Catholics, if you are going to be a christian you should know church history.
I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.Had you ever heard of this story prior to reading this book review? Do you think you'll read the book now that it is on shelves?
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- From: Kristenmomof3@xanga
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- About Me: It's not about surviving. It should be about love. When you know love...that's what makes this life worth it. When you live with it everyday. Wake up with it, hold on to it during the thunder and after a nightmare. When love is your refuge from the death that surrounds us all and when it fills you so tight that you can't express it. — Carrie Ryan
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Comments (5)
Sounds interesting.
Ah, good old St. Celestine V! What a humble man.
And YES; Catholics should know their history! And all Christians, really, since at least 1500-some years of their history is Catholic, too!
@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - exactly. It is shocking how many Christians don't know that
I loved studying Church history.
My faith increased many fold. When Jesus established his Church on Peter the rock and gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven and the power to bind and lose on heaven and earth, he said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18-19)
The reformers lost faith in Jesus and went off and started their own churches under the firm belief that the Word of God needed to be reformed.
Those who remain faithful to the Jesus see his hand guiding the Church in spite of man's endless propensity and ability to create corruption.
I've heard the story before, though it might be worth reading a more in-depth look at the situation.
@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - And Orthodox as well. And fraught with many fascinating heresies. I often wonder what will be the heresy that characterizes my generation from a historical perspective. And what will my generation do in the Church? I look forward to finding out my own place in the history of the Church, you might say.