Author Description

Fascinating accounts of U.S. Catholic priests who are softening the hardline message from Rome, applying church rules creatively "for the sake of the people." This candid book reveals how American priests tailor their advice and pastoral care to 53 million Catholics. Told in priests' own words, it shows how Catholic pastoral practice departs from Vatican severity on issues such as birth control, divorce and re-marriage, women's rights, abortion, liturgy, spirit versus law, and much more. What American priests tell their parishioners is supported here by comments from U.S. and European theologians. Many of the latter are known to be at odds with the Vatican, but their arguments have not yet been told in detail to the public. Now for the first time, their views are explained in tandem with the views of the parish pastor. Bending the Rules is the first book to present in detail what really goes on between priest and parishioner in day-to-day decision-making about moral issues and liturgical practice. It will provide a shock (or joy) of recognition to Catholics, and will fascinate all readers interested in religion and in the power of compassion over blind adherence to a given rule.