Customer Reviews

The Good Enough Catholic: A Guide for the Perplexed

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This book written in 1996 is by a Catholic layman, journalist and religious writer who appears to be in his late forties. His intent is to describe, especially for the lukewarm or fallen away Catholic, how one can be "good enough" to consider and call oneself a Catholic despite both personal faults and misgivings/disagreements regarding church teaching. Wilkes developed this notion from his reading of Bruno Bettelheim's writing about good enough parenting. The notion is that you aim for excellence, do your best, accept your limitations, but most of all don't exclude yourself or become discouraged because perfection isn't available - either in yourself or the church generally.

This strikes me as a valid and useful approach to get people alienated from the church to rethink the value of participating in organized religious life (which is by far the strongest case Wilkes makes). Unfortunately, however it becomes the rationale for a generally liberal and tolerant (some would say loose or even aberrant) approach to Catholicism. Wilkes is anxious to dispel what older Catholics would certainly take as church teaching - that you can't feel free to pick and choose what you like from official church teaching and practice and still consider yourself a Catholic in good standing. Wilkes warns against a too easy "cafeteria" Catholicism, urging serious consideration of official teaching, but the ultimate authority is one's own conscience. He doesn't seem to consider the traditional Catholic notion of obedience and assent in the face of doubt. Perhaps this is what leads him to suggest that one can dissent on a broad range of controversial issues (as he evidently does) and still consider oneself a faithful Catholic. He also neglects the distinction between private disagreement and open challenge that can be disloyal and disruptive depending on the circumstances. That distinction is important to any organization, religious or secular.

The risk of such an approach is revealed by much of his discussion of these controversial issues. Though Wilkes is generally well informed, especially for a layperson, he is no scholar or theologian. His assessment of these issues is uneven, somewhat cursory, and sometimes contains factual misinformation. No one should rely on his analysis for deciding these matters. Yet a reader could easily get the impression that Wilkes has come to his own positions with little more than he presents in this book. Such is the danger that the Catholic Church has tried to avoid (in contrast to Protestant Christianity) by maintaining a strong sense of the teaching authority of the church.

There is no question that such authority has eroded in fact within the Catholic Church. The hierarchy bears much of the blame by exercising that authority too often in an arrogant manner in which it fails to follow consultative processes that have strong historical precedent and theological support, and are unquestionably appropriate in the modern post Vatican II environment. But the individualism of popular culture is also to blame because it distrusts authority in principle, lacks discipline, and eschews loyalty and commitment to institutions of all kinds. There is a vicious circle in which the Vatican tries to shore up its teaching authority against the onslaught of relativism and skepticism, and its efforts only provoke greater distrust and resistance. We end up with polarization.

Wilkes tries to bridge this divide by finding common ground. But he does it in a way so lacking in rigor that one suspects he neither dissuades the disaffected from rebellion or indifference nor abates the fear of the hierarchy and traditionalists that Catholic identity will continue in its free fall by being picked to death by dissenters. Still, I found the book a good reminder of the many values of Catholicism even for those who may find themselves alienated and half-hearted. But a true renewal that will both attract the straying and satisfy the committed will await a more dynamic and convincing vision than that presented by Wilkes.

As a history teacher and life long Catholic by choice, I approached this book with trepidation. Too many books by Americans rebel against the Church and use the "Cafeteria" method. Wilkes is a devout Catholic by choice. He knows the history of the church and more than just the history, the reasons why. It is a guide for to any thoughtful Catholic wondering about dealing with our modern world, its problems and keeping their faith. I believe it could easily be used as the basis for an adult study class in most parishes in America. Pat Gibson St. Martin de Porres Parish Dripping Springs, Texas

thinking of returning to the church but at odds with some of the church's teachings. The author brings up virtually all of the controversial points of Catholicism and tells why you don't necessarily have to leave the church even if you disagree with some of the teachings. However, I hated the title, and I objected to the overall tone of the book. It implies that you can justify anything and still consider yourself a Catholic. No, the church isn't perfect, but I think you have to wrestle long and hard with your conscience to still consider yourself a Catholic when you disagree with church teaching . You aren't supposed to feel good about it! This book just doesn't convey that.

Paul Wilkes' "The Good Enough Catholic" is like taking the fundamental theology course in the seminary. The difference here is that Wilkes has a popular writing style that makes the theology accessible to many people. The main point Wilkes makes is that many Catholics,who want to be loyal to their church, but also find some practices and teachings troubling, are trying to find some ways to be "good enough," even though they may not understand or are able to be "perfect" in their practice. The idea of being "good enough" is that sometimes many people have to settle for something that seems less than the ideal of what one should be as a Catholic.

Wilkes treats the fundamental topic in Catholic theology, scriptures, church, sacraments, marriage, priesthood, the papacy, etc. by attempting to find ground somewhere between the extreme positions of absolute loyalty and an attitude of skepticism. He finds much in the Catholic tradition that speaks well of being Catholic. He refers to the moral teachings of the church as the most comprehensive and systemitized than any other religion. He also demonstrates that throughout the church's history there have been different emphases and nuances in how and what the church has taught.

Wilkes' book is positive and honest. He includes quotations from lay people and clergy throughout using opinions that spread the gamut of Catholic thought. He summarizes very clearly some complicated history. He presents some failures of the church along side great successes, showing how the institution of the church can be guided by the Holy Spirit as well as be mislead by the popular culture of the time.

I believe this book to be balanced in its approach. It can be applied easily to RCIA programs as well as other adult education in the church.

I'm all in favour of re-interpreting Catholicism, but Wilkes' presentation is stultifying and tired. He obviously thinks he's offering radical new insights, but I much prefer the treatment of these subjects by Catholics like Andrew Greeley who appeal, not only to sentiment, but to theology and church history as well. Having enjoyed "And They Shall Be Your People," his profile of a rabbi and his congregation, I know Wilkes can do better.

In this book, he focuses on individual Catholics' experiences (including his own), rather than on formal theologies, with highly unprofessional results. Wilkes' own experiences and beliefs slant the book immensely, and the quotations almost all support his own opinions of what Catholicism should be. Those opinions are rarely supported, and there is little opportunity to hear dissenting voices.

Wilkes' conclusion -- rather dully reiterated in each chapter -- seems to be that almost anything is "good enough," as long as the individual's conscience isn't troubled. I have a hard time believing that any religion -- particularly one with a solid core of religious *law* -- can be distilled to that essence.

Wilkes has picked up on the necessity of guiding the perplexed, but, in this book, he has done too little guiding, and perhaps too much perplexing, shedding murkiness and confusion rather than clarity.

As a read this book, I found myself asking the question, "Good enough for what?" Catholics that I know are seek to deepen their knowledge of God through the Church, not trying to be "good enough." This may be the author's form of Catholicism, but I found it rather depressing.

Fortunately, I'm back, having discovered that not all Catholics are as wishy-washy about their faith as the author!

When I first saw this book, it seemed perfect for me. I was tempted to blame the Church's politics for my spiritual malaise: "If only it could be just a bit different...just a bit more in keeping with what *I* want..." After reading the case studies, though, I wasn't attracted to the "do-it-yourself" Catholicism he describes.

After some searching outside the Church, I realized that the root of the problem was my pride driving me to try to remake God (and His church) in my own image. If I believe that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ, and continues to be guided by the Holy Spirit, then surely it's worthy of my obedience. (If I don't, there are 23,000 Protestant denominations to choose from. )

I wonder if the vocal dissenters and quiet rebels understand that there's great joy and freedom to be gained from obeying the teachings of one's religious leaders in a disciplined way, rather than just picking and choosing? This concept is still holding its own in Eastern religions, but it seems to be out of fashion among many Christians. And books like this one do nothing to help.

I thought this was a flippant, shallow interpretation by the author of what a Catholic is. Practicing Catholics that I know have more respect for their faith and for themselves than to play this "cafeteria Catholic" game. We look for writings by reputable authors that will bring us closer to Jesus, not books that "water down" our faith.
Other writings by Paul Wilkes led me to expect more. I was disappointed.

Well written, but troubling book that encourage Catholics to be...well, not Catholic. As Catholics we are all called to become saints. While for most of us (myself included) that is a slow and laborious process, and most of us are far, far from being saints, the reality is that "good enough" simply isn't good enough. I remember when I was in school, if I aimed just for a pass or a B, I usually got a poor result. If I aimed for a perfect test paper, I would usually get an A.

Catholic truth and dogma has stood the test of time (2000 years). That it is difficult to adhere to, there is no doubt. I prefer to try to configure my life to an ideal, rather than to being just "good enough".

I recommend that faithful Catholics stay away from this book, or simply read it as a testament to what is wrong in our society today. Do NOT read it as a guide for configuring your lives.

Ironically, all the negative reviews for this book merely reinforce its necessity. A fine, nuanced, thoughtful work, it explores the choices to be made by the individual conscience of each Catholic. Far from trying to make things easy, it advises wrestling with the issues & making deeply considered & deeply felt decisions, rather than letting established dogma do the thinking for us.

For those who cling to a strict & narrow view of Catholicism, as if it has been unchanging since the founding the Church, I can only state that Catholicism has changed & grown constantly over 2000 years; indeed, it could not have survived this long without doing so. And just as the accepted truths & dogma of centuries past have been modified or discarded completely, in keeping with the changing times & the growth of human understanding, so too will many of the supposedly uncontestable truths & dogmas of today be modified or discarded eventually.

These are dark & uncertain times; and in such times, frightened people tend to clutch at fundamentalism & rigidity, often surrendering their own consciences to an established, unquestioned belief. But the truly courageous spiritual seeker won't simply abdicate his or her life & conscience; instead, he or she will most likely take the more challenging path offered by Wilkes, and attempt to find the common ground between the institution & the individual.