The Reform of the Papacy (UT Unum Sint) [Hardcover]

John R. Quinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 25, 1999 | Series: UT Unum Sint

A prominent American archbishop examines the Pope's ministry of unity in the contemporary Church, offering proposals for reform in the way in which the papal primacy is exercised.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Quinn] gives us a clear, methodical, careful and interesting text based on personal experience... -- America -The National Catholic Weekly, March 18, 2000

About the Author

John R. Quinn was Archbishop of San Francisco and served as past president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Herder & Herder (December 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824518268
• ISBN-13: 978-0824518264
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Popes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 173 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Modest, Reasoned Call for Reform, January 6, 2000

By 

William C. Hunt (Somerset, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Reform of the Papacy (UT Unum Sint) (Hardcover)

In response to the papal encyclical "Ut Unum Sint" (May 25, 1995) John R. Quinn examines the necessity of reform in the papacy as a prerequisite for serious consideration of union between the Roman Catholic church and other Christian churches. The retired Archbishop of San Francisco stresses the need for decentralization, greater collegiality, and reform of the way bishops are appointed. He also recommends changes in the college of cardinals, whcih have become an elite group within the college of bishops, and in the way the Pope is chosen. Finally, he calls for reform of the Roman Curia. Written in a clear informative manner, the book displays acquaintance with current scholarship and avoids polemics. It might be a bit esoteric for many readers. Quinn could have given greater attention to the system of Roman colleges for the training of clergy, a vestige of the imperial Roman practice of taking the children of royalty in subject countries, educating them in Rome, and , once imbued with the Roman mentality, sending them back to rule in their own countries. Quinn, a gratuate of the North American College (class of 1954) is a product of this system but does not seem to realize the implications of "Romanita'"- both for reform of the papacy and for church union. Well worth reading and, hopefully, a contribution to ecumenism.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Careful, Considerate, Courageous and Much Needed Critique, February 5, 2001

By 

Peter Fennessy (Bloomfield Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Reform of the Papacy (UT Unum Sint) (Hardcover)

Acknowledging that the way the papacy currently functions is an obstacle to Christian unity, John Paul II in 1995 invited suggestions for change, and John Quinn took him at his word. Quinn, former Archbishop of San Francisco, is a man who knows whereof he speaks and a man deeply concerned for the welfare of the Catholic Church. He points out in nuanced and respectful terms that the centralizing of power in the Church, the lack of subsidiarity in the appointment of bishops and in many other things, and the aggrandizement (and ordination) of the Roman Curia and college of cardinals - all changeable aspects of the way the papacy functions -- have undermined the exercise of real collegiality in church synods and national conferences, and deprived the local churches and bishops of rightful authority and power. Other Christian groups have no incentive to unite to such a church. Drawing on history and the ideas of Vatican II, Quinn makes suggestions pointing the way to a much needed reform, and not just for the sake of ecumenism. This is recommended reading for thoughtful Christians of all persuasions.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just right for starting a discussion..., January 28, 2001

By 

M. H Mele "Mary H. Mele" (Bellingham, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Reform of the Papacy (UT Unum Sint) (Hardcover)

A group of ten women from our parish met recently to discuss this book. We were surprised that it hasn't attracted banner headlines. We found it to be a prophetic book, and disturbing, in the way good prayer is disturbing. It described not only the problem we have with the hierarchical structure of the church at the top but at the bottom, too. The problems that exist between bishops and the pope, exist between priests and their bishop, and most especially, between lay folk and their pastor.

We took his advice to heart - " How does the Pope propose to pursue the search for unity? At the outset, he mentions four things: the centrality of the cross, reflection, prayer and conversion. There must be honest reflection on past differences, the purification of memories, mutual forgiveness, and honest, clear and calm vision of the present divisions."(p.17)

This book was a wonderful place to begin a small group discussion in a parish.

Some of us thought that Archbishop Quinn might have mentioned the primacy of conscience, and so strengthened his argument, but, as he says, " I have rarely given a talk...without someone pointing out that I failed to speak about something of great concern to them."

We closed our discussion with the promise to pass this book on, to keep this reflection going, out of love for our church.