Renewal: How a New Generation of Faithful Priests and Bishops Is Revitalizing the Catholic Church
"Contrary to those who opine that the Catholic Church cannot attract a new generation to its pews without modernizing its traditional teachings, the authors argue that it is precisely a robust orthodox defense of the faith that wins the hearts of young people and begets vocations. This book is full of hope and encouragement for the future of the church."--William E. Simon, Jr., professor, author, philanthropist, and businessman "All too often we Catholics can have a utilitarian approach to priests and bishops. Renewal is about gratitude. There are good and holy priests in our midst, serving Christ, teaching the faith, sacrificing for the salvation of souls. Praying for us! Pray for them! Be encouraged and work with them, in union with our Heavenly Father, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is an important snapshot of a beautiful counterculture, a recovering fatherhood. Renewal, indeed.--Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large of National Review Online & director of Catholic Voices USA"This is the most fully detailed and documented account of the culture wars within the Catholic Church that anyone is likely to encounter. Some may think the authors are too pessimistic, stressing all the contentiousness within the living body. Count me as one who holds that public contestation is the reliable sign of vital cultures and inspiring institutions. Both the bad news, honestly reported, and the 'less expected' good news here will make many readers rejoice."--Michael Novak, author ofWriting from Left to Right"Hendershott and White are clear-eyed observers of the Catholic scene who offer the reader careful sociological analysis that leads to truly hopeful conclusions. Citing empirical and anecdotal evidence, they show the positive change the Church has been undergoing for some time--especially with the emergence of strong new leadership in the clergy--and they preview the Church we can expect our children and grandchildren to know. This book is real hope, without a hint of wishful thinking. I highly recommendRenewal.--Scott Hahn, Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville"In Renewal, Anne Hendershott and Christopher White bring to vivid life an unexpected and momentous truth: it is orthodoxy, not heterodoxy, that will write the future of Catholicism. Their wonderfully wrought and prescient book is must reading for serious people, both inside the Church and out."--Mary Eberstadt, author of How the West Really Lost God and Adam and Eve after the PillI won't waste time laying down yet another list of crises that have  diminished Catholicism over the last half century. But is the decline as  bad as it seems? Well, that's actually not the right question,  especially since the probable answer is: yes, it's that bad. The better  question is: Can the decline be halted, even reversed? Well of course it  can, and there is ample evidence that the turnaround is well underway,  which evidence is presented with authority by Anne Hendershott and  Christopher White.- Brad Miner, The Catholic Thing