The Priest Who Left His Religion: In Pursuit of Cosmic Spirituality

by John Shields

The story of an ordained Catholic Priest and his disillusionment over the Pope’s betrayal of scientific insight into the Bible. John Shields takes us through the torment of leaving the priesthood and the church. As he examines his own life, John tells how the findings of science convinced him that spirituality is rooted in the universe.

220 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Michael Herrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this memoir by the author's daughter, who is a personal acquaintance. I have not, however, personally met the author.

I've put off writing this review for a long time. The reasons are entirely personal, mainly that it struck a little close to home. While the author found his way out of a worldview that was fully immersed in the Catholic faith, I reasoned my way out of evangelical fundamentalism. The result, for me, was instant empathy with the author.


For him, the crisis came as a clash between a literal interpretation of Genesis and interpretation-as-allegory following the Second Vatican Council. The scholarly conclusion, that there was no talking snake, that there was no magic fruit, and that there is no original sin cast Mr. Shields' understanding of his calling into a humanist's light. When the powers entrenched in the Church refused to act on the findings, he found himself at odds with the institution. Because of that, he could not in good conscience retain his office and he left the church.

So, this guy is fresh out of the priesthood. He's down in the mouth, he has no experience as an independent adult in the outside world, and he's a virgin. So what does he do? Well, he asks a lady friend to marry him and they take off to Canada.

Most stories would probably end there, but not this one. Mr. Shields' tale is one of painful growth, of infidelity and of love lost to cancer. It's a story of spiritual progress in a universe without a jealous god and a path that leads him into the light of a greater, more profound marvel.

Robert Anton Wilson often spoke of the Chapel Perilous, a time in a life when the symbols at one's disposal no longer make sense and the map becomes useless. It's then that events seemingly 'from beyond' intervene, and a person can easily spend a lifetime trying to decipher exactly what happened and what it means. That's a long, difficult, (but fulfilling) road and this man has walked it.

What comes through in the narrative, from his early roots as a young devotee to an adult activist (civil rights, poverty) and eventually a labor leader, is the author's respect for and sense of duty to his fellow human beings. In my estimation, he's a true humanitarian.


If you enjoy inspiring accounts by admirable people, you will certainly enjoy this book.

[Colin Mallard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Christ said, “The truth will make you free,” and it was the author's love and respect for the truth that carried him thru very disturbing times in his life.

A crisis of faith is a very difficult experience for anyone, and particularly for those who enter the ministry. When truth, the facts whatever they are, take precedence over belief, awakening must eventually take place. The process itself is not an easy one, however, it is not free of suffering.

To devote one’s life to serving others, to spend years in preparation and training, to experience the deep satisfaction and joy that comes with true service is immensely fulfilling. It is the path of the Karma Yogi.

And then, suddenly, without warning it comes to and end. All the anchors are gone, belief is of no help, and there is no alternative but to move into the unknown with nothing.

I felt uplifted by this book, deeply moved and very very thankful for having had the opportunity to read it. I think it struck me so deeply because it mirrored in so many ways my own experience during the same time period John describes.

I wondered going into the book how a priest could end up as one of the major leaders of the union movement in Canada. That journey is what the book is about and it is inspiring.

This is a book I would recommend highly for spiritual seekers. It is a book for those growing up in the Christian cultural context of the West, who find they can no longer subject their intellect to the nonsense still espoused in so many churches today.

For me it was a delight to discover there are thinkers in the West who have come to the same understanding found in the wisdom of Taoism, Zen and Advaita Vedanta.

Thank you John Shields for sharing the journey you took with truth as your only guide. Much appreciated, indeed! I look forward to meeting you. Inshallah!

Colin Mallard.

[Val Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Priest who left his religion is a really fascinating story of a man who has spent his life caring for and helping people, first as a priest, then a social worker and later as a Union representative. I enjoyed following his gradual shift from disillusionment with religious beliefs to the understanding of spirituality which is based on fact rather than ideology.


I was shocked by the section on Pope John XX111 under whose governance the church went back to original documents and started to teach truth rather than beliefs rooted in a time when the earth was flat and the centre of the Universe. Among the new teachings was the understanding that the garden of Eden was just a metaphor, there is no original sin, that Jesus was about love rather than sin and guilt. After the pope’s death these teachings were dismantled and John left the church.

My question is how in good conscience can priests teach what they know to be untrue?

[Lawrence Verigin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of John Shields life. How many people are so open that they can make such huge changes in their lives, from being a Catholic priest, to leading a union and exploring cosmology? Very commendable.
Lawrence Verigin, author of, Dark Seed