Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for The Pontiff in Winter by John Cornwell - Available

The Pontiff in Winter

Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II

by John Cornwell
John Lee
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
Over more than a quarter of a century, John Paul II has firmly set his stamp on the billion-member strong Catholic Church for future generations and he has become one of the most influential political figures in the world. His key role in the downfall of communism in Europe, as well as his apologies for the Catholic Church’s treatment of Jews and to victims of the Inquisition, racism, and religious wars, won him worldwide admiration. Yet his papacy has also been marked by what many perceive as misogyny, homophobia, and ecclesiastical tyranny. Some critics suggest that his perpetuation of the Church’s traditional hierarchical paternalism contributed to pedophiliac behavior in the priesthood and encouraged superiors to sweep the crimes under the carpet. The Pontiff in Winter brings John Paul’s complex, contradictory character into sharp focus. In a bold, highly original work, John Cornwell argues that John Paul’s mystical view of history and conviction that his mission has been divinely established are central to understanding his pontificate. Focusing on the period from the eve of the millennium to the present, Cornwell shows how John Paul’s increasing sense of providential rightness profoundly influenced his reactions to turbulence in the secular world and within the Church, including the 9/11 attacks, the pedophilia scandals in the United States, the clash between Islam and Christianity, the ongoing debates over the Church’s policies regarding women, homosexuals, abortion, AIDS, and other social issues, and much more. A close, trusted observer of the Vatican, Cornwell combines eyewitness reporting with information from the best sources in and outside the pope’s inner circle. Always respectful of John Paul’s prodigious spirit and unrelenting battles for human rights and religious freedom, Cornwell raises serious questions about a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness. The result is a moving, elegiac portrait of John Paul in the winter of his life and a thoughtful, incisive assessment of his legacy to the Church.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    September 1, 2004

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781415952382
      • File size: 340160 KB
      • Duration: 11:48:39

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Both writing and narration bring a studied elegance to this biography of Pope John Paul II. Cornwell summarizes the Pope's youth and early priesthood in the first two of twelve hours and then spends the remaining ten discussing John Paul's papacy and philosophy of life. Narrator John Lee has no trouble with the book's formal language and brings freshness and respect to a weighty treatise. His slight British tone conveys erudition, while his vitality imparts both the criticism and admiration of the author for his subject. While this reviewer would likely have a hard time sitting still long enough to absorb the written text, the audio version proves riveting. R.L.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Graeme Malcolm gives an expert reading of a well-balanced look at the life and work of Pope John Paul II. Malcolm's scholarly tone complements Cornwell's impartial assessment of the papacy and the Pope's contribution to the world at large, covering both flaws and strengths with equal voice. Cornwell touches on the hot topics relating to Catholicism today: abusive priests, political involvement, the role of women in the Church, birth control, and abortion. Cornwell's criticisms of the Church may be difficult for devout Catholics to hear, but anyone looking for a balanced perspective on the impact of John Paul II's papacy will find a thoughtful retrospective read with gentle authority. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading