This very unusual Pope actually seems to be practicing Christ's teaching--what a concept! But the conservatives are sharpening their knives and he had better be careful. We have seen many times what terrible crimes can be committed by conservatives who are upset about social issues. We've seen the killing of gays, blacks, doctors who performed abortions, and yes, even the murder of Pope John Paul I, who also wanted to make changes that made the conservative cardinals surrounding him aghast. (Read reviews in blue below of important investigative book "In God's Name").
Unfortunately for all of us, those who prefer to have everything defined in black-and-white terms (racial pun intended) never seem to change their point of view willingly. They have to be dragged kicking and screaming to make even small changes in social/religious/political/you-name-it issues. They would like everything to stay just the same as it was in their childhood--or in their granddaddy's day.
The people protesting Pope Francis in the Catholic church today pray to Saint Francis and revere statues of him but would have feared and ridiculed him when he was alive in Assisi. When a Pope appears to be actually emulating St. Francis and his merciful compassion for all beings, the "orthodox" Catholics are horrified and run to the protection of cut-and-dried rules and dogmas. There appears to be no room for growth or change in their world--or for expansion of the heart.
So....what do they do when someone threatens their cherished ideals? Well, we've already seen what some of the most fanatical conservatives are capable of. Pope Francis is walking in dangerous territory, but I get the feeling he is more attuned to love than to fear.
IN GOD'S NAME by David Yallop
David Yallop is a highly regarded investigative journalist and "seeker of justice." He has overturned opinion with every book he has written, continuously uncovering injustice and truth in his research into the Derek Bentley case, Carlos the Jackal, and the murder of John Paul I.
This is a difficult book to digest for faithful Roman Catholics like myself. It is the story of a wonderful priest who loved the poor and wanted the church to improve the quality of life for Catholics. Pope John Paul the First was a man who would not seek to impose christian solutions on non-Christians; he was someone who was sensitive to social problems and open to dialogue; with a commitment to the search for unity; a good pastor, a good shepherd in the way that Jesus was; a man who sincerely believed that the church should not be out of date but be a relevant, nurturing factor in the lives of Catholics worldwide. However, I think it is important for all interested in the pursuit of truth to read this compelling book and drawn one's own conclusion. The evidence is hard to ignore. The conclusion is based on facts. It is truly hard to imagine but I am now convinced that Pope John Paul the First was murdered because he dared to promote positive change and rid the Vatican of corrupt banking practices. Highly recommended.
Bert Ruiz
By Jane Anthony on March 24, 2005
When I first started reading the book, I thought well,it might be interesting to learn some more about the Vatican. I didn't know it was going to be so breathtaking. I remember I heard my father comment when pope John Paul I died that he has definitely been murdered. I was young at the time and knew nothing of the ways of our world. After reading In God's Name, I have no doubt that there was a murder. Mr. Yallop's certainly knows how to conduct a research and more importantly, how to write his conclusions without passion (although his feelings do transpire and his positions with respect to corruption and crime are very clear).
However, for myself, the important part of the book was the description of Pope John Paul I. The life of this charismatic man, this priest of Christ, is simply beautiful. And the Catholic Church has lost with his death its chance to become what it never should have ceased to be: the church of the poor. This book for me was full of the spirit of papa luciani. And the corruption, the crimes, were set on one side, and this true priest on hte other. And somehow, He weighed much more in the balance.
Corruption and crime, wars all around the world, conflicts in the middle east area moved by the interest of the few, all this is the reality of our daily life. To know that we can do little to avoid a war because it would be bad for business bears a great dose of despair in itself.
But then, the good news will not come from the leaders. Only from the humble and poor men and women who dedicate their lives to relieve other people's pain and suffering. The leaders will never be allowed to be that. In a way, maybe papa luciani should never have become pope.Read more ›
However, for myself, the important part of the book was the description of Pope John Paul I. The life of this charismatic man, this priest of Christ, is simply beautiful. And the Catholic Church has lost with his death its chance to become what it never should have ceased to be: the church of the poor. This book for me was full of the spirit of papa luciani. And the corruption, the crimes, were set on one side, and this true priest on hte other. And somehow, He weighed much more in the balance.
Corruption and crime, wars all around the world, conflicts in the middle east area moved by the interest of the few, all this is the reality of our daily life. To know that we can do little to avoid a war because it would be bad for business bears a great dose of despair in itself.
But then, the good news will not come from the leaders. Only from the humble and poor men and women who dedicate their lives to relieve other people's pain and suffering. The leaders will never be allowed to be that. In a way, maybe papa luciani should never have become pope.Read more ›
By brent howell on August 6, 2005
Format: Mass Market Paperback
"In God's Name" gets the prize as the most professionally written book about the mysterious death of John Paul I. Its limitation is that it restricts its investigation to the Great Vatican Bank Scandal - yet, there is much more than just that. Although a work of fiction, Yallop does such a riveting job of telling his tale that one is left with the convinction that everything he has to say actually happened - the mark of a great writer. If one wants the facts about the Great Vatican Bank Scandal turn to "Pontiff' If one wants the most comprehensive published record of all of the known facts surrounding the mysterious death of this good man turn to "Murder in the Vatican" by Lucien Gregoire. The latter is also the only existing biography of this Pope - of his struggles as an impoverished child - as a revolutionary priest as an outspoken bishop - and as a compassionate cardinal. It is written by a man who spent much time with this Pope.
By Robert M. Logan on January 9, 2005
By Robert M. Logan on January 9, 2005
A mere 33 days after Albino Luciani became Pope John Paul I, he died. To the date, the cause of death remains unknown or at least it remains undisclosed to the public. No autopsy was preformed. No official certificate of death was released.
Author David Yallop follows the footsteps of Albino Luciani and chronicles his life and journey to Rome. Yallop reveals the process and speculates on the politics of the election of John Paul I. His investigation provides a detailed sketch of the final hours of Pope John Paul I, drawn minute by minute.
In the book, Yallop names six individuals who had much to lose under the reign of John Paul I. He asserts that these individuals: a Bishop; two Cardinals; two bankers; and the head of a secret organization, P2; applied the "Italian Solution" either alone or in some combination. Now twenty years after this book was first published the author's website claims that the central questions raised remain unanswered and the frightening accusations are still undisputed.
I found Yallop's development of the cases of motive for the six suspects to be strong. Although motive does not equal guilt, it does help make Yallop's theory of murder plausible. Wonderfully, author Yallop has included pictures, lots of them.
Author David Yallop follows the footsteps of Albino Luciani and chronicles his life and journey to Rome. Yallop reveals the process and speculates on the politics of the election of John Paul I. His investigation provides a detailed sketch of the final hours of Pope John Paul I, drawn minute by minute.
In the book, Yallop names six individuals who had much to lose under the reign of John Paul I. He asserts that these individuals: a Bishop; two Cardinals; two bankers; and the head of a secret organization, P2; applied the "Italian Solution" either alone or in some combination. Now twenty years after this book was first published the author's website claims that the central questions raised remain unanswered and the frightening accusations are still undisputed.
I found Yallop's development of the cases of motive for the six suspects to be strong. Although motive does not equal guilt, it does help make Yallop's theory of murder plausible. Wonderfully, author Yallop has included pictures, lots of them.
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