Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Greeley the novelist is also a respected sociologist specializing in surveying the American religious scene. This particular volume, he says, is aimed at the Phil Donahues of the world, who espouse certain ``truths'' about the beliefs and behavior of American Catholics--and particularly Irish-American Catholics--that Greeley's survey shows not to be true. The survey results are presented in narrative style, with much provocative comment thrown in. He tests his theory that religion is imagination before anything else and finds that Catholics imagine differently from others. Catholics remain Catholics, he says, because they like the imagery of the Catholic imagination. Greeley's Religious Change in America ( LJ 2/15/89) offers a survey of both Protestant and Catholic opinions in a more subdued manner.-- Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, N.J. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

With characteristic insouciance, Greeley, professor of sociology at the University of Arizona and bestselling novelist, sets himself the task of defining contemporary Catholicism as practiced in the U.S. What he describes as ``the fascinating, wonderful and slightly daffy story of American Catholicism since the end of the Second Vatican Council'' is explored with imaginative departures based on sociometric analyses generated at the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center. Greeley's conclusion that Catholics remain in their institutional church ``because they like being Catholic, because of loyalty to the imagery of the Catholic imagination . . . '' is buttressed by his often angry, sometimes humorous attacks on established Church figures such as St. Augustine, for his sexism. This lively, readable assessment of contemporary Catholicism may affront some readers, but will likely stimulate and challenge others. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

Greeley debunks the popular myth that American Catholicism is virtually moribund. Employing an impressive array of concrete sociological data to support his thesis, he asserts that Catholicism is thriving in the U.S. Though many American Catholics have lost faith in the institutionalized hierarchy of the Church, they remain assiduously devoted to the essential poetry of their religion. According to the author, these seemingly paradoxical truths are compatible when considered in terms of the intriguing concept of the sacramental imagination. An insightful analysis of the current state of the American Catholic community. As always, Father Greeley's fact fares better than his fiction. Appendix; to be indexed. --Margaret Flanagan

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Roman Catholic priest Andrew M. Greeley was the author of more than 100 non-fiction works of theology, sociology, prayer, and poetry; a professor of sociology; a newspaper columnist; and a successful novelist, writing in several genres, including mystery and science fiction. He was born on February 5, 1928 and was a native of Chicago. Greeley studied at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and earned an AB from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in 1950, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1952, and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1954. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in 1961 and a Ph D in 1962.

Greeley's fiction, which often told stories of crime and scandal in the Roman Catholic church, can be violent and lurid and are considered controversial by many Church leaders. Greeley wrote on such issues as homosexuality in the clergy, pedophilia, and papal politics, and he created the popular mystery series starring Father Blackie Ryan, as well as another featuring the character Nuala McGrail.

Greeley was awarded honorary degrees from the University of Arizona, Bard College (New York State) and the National University of Ireland, Galway. In 1981, he received the F. Sadlier Dinger Award, which is presented each year by educational publisher William H. Sadlier, Inc. in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the ministry of religious education in America.

Greeley died on May 29, 2013 at his Chicago home. He was 85. (Bowker Author Biography)