Breaking Faith: The Pope, the People and the Future of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is an extraordinary operation. Even in our supposedly secular age it numbers more than a billion faithful throughout the world, and its followers are increasing at a remarkable rate. But today, on the threshold of a new papacy, Catholics face a gamut of crises threatening division, fragmentation - even schism. Far from healing the rift, the Vatican under Pope John Paul II is driving the opposing factions still further apart.;In this highly controversial book John Cornwell, himself a committed Catholic, assesses the state of the Church throughout the world. He warns that on the death of Pope John Paul II a major schism - and with it the spectre of a new Reformation - will occur unless his successor can bridge the gulf between conservatives and progressives. The role of women in the Church; the split between teaching and practice on birth control, sexual morals and divorce; the changing face of the priesthood\* all are examined in this riveting survey.Read less