Customer Reviews

When Values Collide: The Catholic Church, Sexual Abuse, and the Challenges of Leadership

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This is a timely and insightful book, consisting of narratives and meditations. Chinnici does not compose his narratives as someone viewing the sexual abuse scandal from the outside. As a major religious superior of the Franciscan Friars of St. Barbara Province, he has personally encountered the sinners and the scandals involved. He has personally and compassionately treated the victims of abuse.
Chinnici's narratives remind us of what has taken place in recent USA Catholic history and also give us insight into what transpired in the hearts and minds of leaders who dealt with this scandal.

Over and above these narratives, which show Chinnici as the outstanding historian that he is, are his reflections as a theologian who draws his inspiration from Sacred Scripture, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Bonaventure. I quote pp. 189-190: "I have attempted to construct a memory of the past that opens up for us a creative path for the future. The crisis over the sexual abuse of minors in the Church has begun to fade ... but its consequences, our memory of it, and what it has taught us about our Church and society, we need always to treasure. I do not believe we should bury the facts of our own history, the injuries done and the penances required. When not clouded by denial or retreat, memory can open us to a richer sense of Who God Is and who we are who encounter each other.... One challenge before the Church is clearly the complete elimination of the crime of the sexual abuse of minors. There is also another task: To re-member the scandal, and by this re-membering to insert into our public discourse and life a Gospel vision of God's goodness and who we are called to be together. May the Lord give us peace." One might wish that Pope Benedict XVI would make this book required reading for all Bishops and major religious superiors.

The scandals that the Catholic church has been facing have proved to be daunting for this millennia year old institution. "When Values Collide: The Catholic Church, Sexual Abuse, and the Challenges of Leadership" discusses the challenges that the Catholic Church faces with the recent allegations of child abuse and how it has lead to a more vehement debate of the fallibility of the Catholic Church and its leadership. A fascinating debate with much to think about, "When Values Collide" is a key read for anyone pondering the future of the Catholic church.

In reading "When Values Collide," I sensed what great courage and painful honesty it took for Fr. Joseph Chinnici, OFM, Catholic priest , to put into writing the shock of the recent sexual abuse scandal during the time of his religious administration. He is a well-known spiritual leader. Through the prism of his writing about these sad details, and the many correcting steps needed to be taken, I saw his deep faith, academic analysis, and insights into past, present, and future forming of stronger spiritual leadership. The book had me thinking, "What weaknesses could lead me to such a serious downfall. And, what values did I need to lodge up front in my head?" Personal integrity and ethics, as I saw them, in the role of leadership, are a must no matter where we serve, be it as parents, students, or in public or spiritual roles. It is a book that will sober one's senses, and offers a lesson about the traps that could weaken our thinking!

This book helped me resolve some of my anger at my Church. I have been able to forgive the ugly behaviors of some of the clergy. The forgiveness freed me to be a better person. I continue to pray that the Catholic Church will be more transparent in handeling any problem that may arise. That when speaking of the sins of the Church they will be "Christ Like" I continue in the Catholic Church without any guidance from the Vatican. God help us all.

The author's courageous willingness to face the reality of the sexual abuse of adolescents by members of his
Franciscan community is truly moving. I had heard reports of what was going on but had little idea of what
this actually entailed, that is, a thoroughly organized,lengthy process of identifying the offenders and
the offended, providing therapy and compensation, and, perhaps most importantly, making a report to the world
at large. Corrections and healthy new directions are indicated, all based on solid research thoroughly documented.
I intend to read it again. The section on St. Francis and St. Bonaventure had much to say to our modern world.

This was a very well-written and thoughtful book about the sexual abuse scandal in the American catholic church and specifically the Franciscan Friars in California. The specific events that took place and those who perpetrated them are not the main subject of this book; instead it looks at the conflicting requirements of pastoral care for families against legal requirements of no contact between parties, at the need to financially recompense victims against the Franciscans' vow of poverty and lack of ownership of personal property. As such I wasn't sure for whom this book was aimed (church leaders?) but felt, after reading it, perhaps it wasn't that suitable for the average person in the pew.

The first few chapters of the book gave an overview of the historical situation as tales of abuse came to light in particular locations, then more widely. The ways in which the Franciscans dealt with the problems, setting up a board of Inquiry and more, are also explained, as are the issues that hit the local newspapers and how that changed the course of events. The author of the book happened to be Provincial Supervisor at that time and the stresses of the situation on him and other Friars, most of whom were blameless of any abuse, were notable.

Subsequent chapters focus on how the Friars and the wider Catholic church deal with the collision between values and behaviour, the change in public view of the hierarchies and the far-reaching scandal, the legal compensation and settlements, all intertwined with lessons to be learned from the life and writings of St Francis of Assissi and Bonaventure.

This is a useful book on a difficult subject, although I felt it had some omissions. For example, we learn almost nothing about priests and friars who have carried out the abuse and how they were dealt with, which left me with a slightly one-sided feeling about the book (all about the healing of church structures, not about abuse victims or even abusers). The book is more of a theological overview of how the Church's former position as the repository of holiness had to adapt to the new situation of acknowledging evil within. It is well written and sobering.