Why I Am Still a Catholic: Essays in Faith and Perseverance [Paperback]

Peter Stanford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2006

What does it mean to be a Catholic in today's world? What distinguishes the modern Catholic from anyone else? At a time when the Vatican provokes hostility by its opposition to contraception, abortion and the use of condoms in fighting AIDS, how many Catholics share its views? And if they don't, how can they in good conscience stay in the Church? These are among the many questions that writer and broadcaster Peter Stanford is addressing here. There is a whole spectrum of response in this entertaining and enlightening collection.

'Fascinating... a surprisingly uplifting book.' Sunday Telegraph

'A hard-hitting book which criticizes as much as it praises... it should be read by anyone interested in the phenomenon of organized religion.' Spectator

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A hard-hitting book which criticises as much as it praises... it should be read by anyone interested in the phenomenon of organised religion.' Lady Antonia Fraser, Spectator

'Fascinating...a surprisingly uplifting book.' Damian Thompson, Sunday Telegraph

'This book is really rather edifying.' Melanie McDonagh, Tablet

'There is an unmissable feeling in many of the essays that beyond the rules and regulations, there lies at the heart of Catholicism something so much more important.' Irish Independent

'There are levels of Roman Catholicism that are so cultural that you have to be born into them to recognise them. They are beautifully and unselfconsciously described here, with all their strengths and weaknesses.' Lavinia Byrne, Church Times

'an entertaining and enlightening collection of essays'

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About the Author

Peter Stanford is a writer, broadcaster and biographer, whose books include biographies of Lord Longford, C Day-Lewis, and the Devil and the travelogue, The Extra Mile. A former editor of the Catholic Herald, he writes for The Daily Telegraph, The Independent on Sunday and The Observer and has a regular column in The Tablet. www.peterstanford.co.uk

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (September 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826491456
• ISBN-13: 978-0826491459
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,858,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully honest essays on practicing the Catholic faith in the real world, June 28, 2009

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D. Kovacs (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Am Still a Catholic: Essays in Faith and Perseverance (Paperback)

There are some differences between being a Catholic in the U.S. and being a Catholic in England. Despite the fact that England is an extremely secular nation, there's still a shadow cast by the 300 years of persecution of Catholics dating from the Reformation. So what does it mean to be Catholic in England today? This fascinating book of essays gives us an idea. The 14 contributors (only 2 are converts, the rest are cradle Catholics like Tony Blair's wife Cherie) come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Two of the authors are unable to take communion due to divorce -- yet they remain devoted Catholics and never miss Mass. One author was wrongfully jailed for 14 years in 1975 on charges of running an IRA bomb factory in her London home (see the film "In the Name of the Father" for the full story). What keeps this wide-ranging assortment of humanity in the Church Catholic? Their answers may surprise you -- but one thing is for sure, neither persecution nor injustice nor secularism nor the sins and foibles of the church hierarchy will prevail against the beauty, mystery, and truth of the Holy Catholic Church. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars why i am still a catholic, November 15, 2009

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Elizabeth C. Gant (portland, or usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Am Still a Catholic: Essays in Faith and Perseverance (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book for Catholics with some questions about their faith. The essayists written by catholics from Great Britain had great knowledge of their faith. I'm passing this book to my still catholic four daughters. Thank you.
Elizabeth Gant