| "These are wise thoughts, well worth reading word for word. They deal
with the Church's attitude toward the Crusades, dictatorships, war and
peace, religious wars, the Indians, Islam, Luther, even the Mafia. Accattoli
provides background information, history, the thoughts of bishops and cardinals,
and surrounds us with the atmosphere of the Church in transformation. Most
of all he informs us of the Church's desire to be less burdened by the
weight of history, 'better reconciled with the other Christian communities,
and with a bond of friendship with every religion and with all men of good
will.' [This book] is a celebration of the rich and glorious meaning of
humility." --The Book Reader 1998
"Setting the Record Straight: This is a
very interesting new book by Italian journalist, Luigi Accattoli. Based
on the papal outline for the Jubilee Year 2000, it includes a critical
self-evaluation by the Church of its actions over past centuries. The author
catalogues 94 instances of these cited by Pope John Paul II. Part I covers
'Historical and Ecumenical Precedents' (changes in liturgical prayers,
etc.), while Part II examines 21 major prouncements by Pope John Paul II
(Crusades, Galileo, the Inquisition, Racism, etc.). With bibliography."
--Crux of the News,
March 2, 1998
"[In this] provocative new book by Luigi Accattoli,
[the author points out that] Pope John Paul's intent is never to grovel,
or to second-guess Church leaders of past eras. He often asks for mutual
forgiveness, and his evocation of historical wrongdoing is typically brief,
to-the-point and aimed at moving on -- a process he sometimes calls the
'healing of memories.' Accattoli traces the pope's approach to an interesting
treatise written in 1965 by the late Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar
who urged the post-Vatican II Church to make a 'full confession' of past
misdeeds. The pope greatly admired von Balthasar and appears to have followed
his advice to the letter." --John Thavis, Pittsburgh
Catholic, June 27, 1997
"This book is must reading for all involved in
or seeking peace and justice. The reading flows easily enough, though the
message may at times be uncomfortable and disturbing. The pope's example
and words are encouraging as they spell out the steps taken and yet to
be taken as the Church prepares to enter the next millennium." --Pastoral
Life, May 1998
"... certainly a major step in the right direction."
--Patrick McCloskey, O.F.M., St. Anthony Messenger,
June 1998
"A remarkable book that deserves a wider readership than it is likely to get....
Particularly valuable is the book's inclusion of original documents in which John Paul II has no less than
ninety-four times acknowledged that -- regarding racism, anti-Semitism, the crusades, war, divisions
between Christians, and the treatment of women, among other things -- the faithful, including ecclesiastics
at the highest level, have been unfaithful.... Some Catholics think the present Pope has 'gone too far' in
asking forgiveness, while others will apparently not be satisfied until a Pope condemns the Church
itself. What is certain is that no other church or religious community, never mind secular institution,
has so candidly, repeatedly and voluntarily accepted responsibility for its failings. It is the kind of
thing made possible by an unshakable communal confidence in the gospel of forgiveness." --Richard
John Neuhaus in First Things, November 1998
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