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"With brilliance and clarity, [Reese] shows how an institution, which seems so mysterious, can intact be understood and explained He writes as an affectionate critic, an insider whose heart is with the outsiders.... This is an important and trailblazing book"--E. J Dionne
"A masterpiece of information and critique.... It will become the 'bible' for any reporter who attempts to unravel what is going on in the church."-- Rembert G. Weakland, 0. S. B., Archbishop of Milwaukee
"Some readers may be shocked by what they read, but the church has always admitted that it has more sinners than saints. The humanface of the church is not just found in the pews but also in the Vatican."--From the Preface
The Vatican holds a unique fascination for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Rich in history and intrigue, it is one of the few institutions that has played a major role in practically every one of the last 20 centuries. It continues to make headlines today as it attempts to govern the world's one billion Catholics and to mold world events according to its own vision. But for those who love the Vatican as well as for those who fear it, understanding the papacy, with its tendency toward secrecy and Byzantine structures, has been a formidable task.
Inside the Vatican, to be published December 1 by Harvard University Press, is an unprecedented account of the way the Vatican works today, of its unique culture, and of how it is adapting to our changing world as the millennium approaches. Author Thomas J. Reese, a Jesuit, journalist, and scholar, draws on more than 100 interviews for a firsthand look at the people, politics, and organization behind the one of world's oldest and most powerful institutions.
Reese begins with a discussion of the many roles of the pope, who in addition to being the spiritual leader of the world's Catholics, is bishop of Rome, chief bishop of Italy. head of the college of bishops, and absolute monarch of the Vatican City State. He then clarifies the functions of the many religious and lay people who help the pope govern the college of bishops and the college of cardinals, the roman curia and the papal nuncios, the canon lawyers and the administrators-using lively anecdotes from the past and present church. And he captures the unique spirit of the Vatican, where ambition and politicking coexist with piety and service, and where loyalty is the ultimate virtue.
Inside the Vatican also includes one of the most detailed and current discussions available of the process of papal elections. Reese describes elections that have occurred throughout church history and details the process as it has been practiced in recent years. He gives special attention to the significant changes Pope John Paul II has made in the election process, and to the implications of those changes for the next elections.
Throughout the book, Reese shows the Vatican as a living institution, one that is slow to change, but one that has adapted significantly over the course of its two-thousand-year history. He observes the changes that are now under way in response to social pressures within the church and from the world at large, and he identifies weaknesses the papacy will need to address if it is to remain influential in the coming centuries.
Thomas J. Reese is Senior Fellow, the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. He is the author of Archbishop: Inside the Power Structure of the American Catholic Church and A Flock of Shepherds: The National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a masters of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley. He is a former Associate Editor of America, and a Jesuit priest.
The process of electing popes, like the Vatican itself, depends upon ancient traditions, but continues to evolve over time. This evolution is one of the many fascinating topics addressed by Thomas Reese in Inside the Vatican. The following facts about papal elections are drawn from the book.
Church regulations forbid the discussion of candidates before the death of a pope. The purpose of the prohibition is to avoid political campaigns that could divide the church. (see page 78)
When it is time to choose a new pope, the cardinals enter the conclave, which they may not leave until a pope is elected. 'This practice developed after the papacy was vacant for a year during the thirteenth century. The people of Rome locked up the cardinals until a pope was chosen. In 127 1, the people of Viterbo not only locked up the cardinals, but tore the roof off the building and put them on a diet of bread and water to force a decision. (see page 8 1)
Contemporary conclaves are swept for bugs and electronic recording devices. No communication with the outside world is allowed. Phone lines are cut, windows are sealed, and curtains are drawn to insulate the cardinals from outside pressure and to protect the secrecy of the conclave. (see page 83)
In the past, there were several possible methods of selecting a pope. One was election by acclamation, in which the cardinals "freely and spontaneously, unanimously and aloud, proclaim one individual as supreme pontiff." This dramatic method has never been used. Election by adoration occurred when two thirds of the cardinals knelt before a candidate and proclaimed him pope. This procedure led to abuses when elderly cardinals were tricked into joining in the adoration after being woken up and told that a new pope had been chosen. Election by delegation occurred when the cardinals selected a committee to elect the pope on behalf of all of them. The current pope, John Paul 11, abolished these methods, leaving intact only the closely regulated method of election by scrutiny, which involves balloting by all of the cardinals.(see pages 83-84)
Historically, a two thirds majority has been required to elect a pope. Pope John Paul 11 dramatically changed the process by allowing election by an absolute majority (more than half) under certain conditions. (see page 87)
The ballots are burned by the "scrutineers", along with any notes taken by the cardinals. The secretary of the conclave adds chemicals to the burning papers to turn the smoke either white or black. Since 1903 white smoke has signaled the election of a new pope, black an inconclusive result. (see page 86)
to be published December 1, 1996
by Harvard University Press
$24.95 hardcover
"Father Tom Reese is to the Catholic church what Teddy White was to American politics: he provides us with the inside stuff and insight about what it means, without ever losing sight of the profound importance of the subject he's exploring. With brilliance and clarity, he shows how an institution, which seems so mysterious, can in fact be understood and explained. He writes as an affectionate critic, an insider whose heart is with the outsiders. He shows how it is possible to admire Pope John Paul 11 and disagree with him too. This is an important and trailblazing book."--E. J. Dionne
"A masterpiece of information and critique about the way the structures of the Roman Catholic Church are functioning at the end of the twentieth century .... Without a doubt it will become the 'bible' for any reporter who attempts to unravel what is going on in the Church. Only an 'insider' with a good knowledge of history could have written such an accurate treatment of such a complex subject."--Rembert G. Weakland, 0. S. B., Archbishop of Milwaukee