To Change the Church

To Change the Church examines Pope Francis's leadership of the Catholic Church and the tensions between tradition and reform during his papacy. The book focuses on debates over communion for divorced Catholics and other doctrinal questions that emerged after Francis became pope in 2013. Ross Douthat traces the history of Catholic doctrine and past reforms to provide context for current controversies. He analyzes Vatican II, the sexual revolution, and other key developments that shaped modern Catholicism and led to present-day disagreements. Through interviews and research, the book presents perspectives from both progressive and conservative Catholics on Francis's decisions and their implications. The narrative follows major synods, public statements, and behind-the-scenes discussions that reveal the scope of division within the Church. The book raises fundamental questions about religious institutions' ability to adapt while maintaining core beliefs. It explores the challenge of balancing preservation and progress in an ancient faith confronting modern pressures.

Readers describe this as a balanced analysis of Pope Francis's papacy and the Catholic Church's internal conflicts. Catholic readers from different perspectives found Douthat presents complex theological debates in accessible terms. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear explanation of church history and doctrine - Fair treatment of both conservative and liberal Catholic views - Thoughtful examination of papal authority limits - Strong research and citations Common criticisms: - Too focused on Western/American Catholic perspective - Some perceived conservative bias in analysis - Insufficient coverage of positive Francis reforms - Occasional repetitive passages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (324 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (144 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Explains complex theological debates without taking sides" - Goodreads reviewer "Missing important context from Global South Catholics" - Amazon reviewer "Best overview of Francis-era Catholic tensions" - Catholic World Report reader

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🔵 Ross Douthat became the youngest regular op-ed writer in New York Times history when he was hired at age 29 in 2009. 🔵 The book examines Pope Francis's papacy and its impact on Catholic doctrine, particularly focusing on the controversial debate around allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion. 🔵 The author wrote this book while battling chronic Lyme disease, which he has spoken about affecting his writing process and perspective on faith and suffering. 🔵 The title references a famous quote from Archbishop Fulton Sheen: "Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people." 🔵 Douthat, who converted to Catholicism as a teenager, wrote this book as both a journalist and a practicing Catholic, offering a unique insider-outsider perspective on Church reforms.