What do you think?
Rate this book
God or Nothing: A Conversation on Faith by Cardinal Robert Sarah Nicolas Diat
"The idea of putting Magisterial teaching in a beautiful display case while separating it from pastoral practice, which then could evolve along with circumstances, fashions, and passions, is a sort of heresy, a dangerous schizophrenic pathology. I therefore solemnly state that the Church in Africa is staunchly opposed to any rebellion against the teaching of Jesus and of the Magisterium. . . . The Church of Africa is committed in the name of the Lord Jesus to keeping unchanged the teaching of God and of the Church."— Robert Cardinal Sarah In this fascinating autobiographical interview, one of the most prominent and outspoken Catholic Cardinals gives witness to his Christian faith and comments on many current controversial issues. The mission of the Church, the joy of the gospel, the “heresy of activism”, and the definition of marriage are among the topics he discusses with wisdom and eloquence.Robert Cardinal Sarah grew up in Guinea, West Africa. Inspired by the missionary priests who made great sacrifices to bring the Faith to their remote village, his parents became Catholics. Robert discerned a call to the priesthood and entered the seminary at a young age, but due to the oppression of the Church by the government of Guinea, he continued his education outside of his homeland. He studied in France and nearby Senegal. Later he obtained a licentiate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, followed by a licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of Jerusalem.At the age of thirty-four he became the youngest Bishop in the Catholic Church when John Paul II appointed him the Archbishop of Conakry, Guinea, in 1979. His predecessor had been imprisoned by the Communist government for several years, and when Archbishop Sarah was targeted for assassination John Paul II called him to Rome to be Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI named him Cardinal and appointed him Prefect of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. Pope Francis made him Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2014.
Unknown Binding
First published February 1, 2015
388 people are currently reading
1643 people want to read
About the author
Robert Sarah
68 books280 followersRobert Cardinal Sarah was born in Guinea, West Africa. Made an Archbishop by Pope John Paul II and a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, he was named the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis in 2014.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
January 19, 2018
I began this after a conversation with friends about the Catholic Church in Africa. I expected the entire thing to be biography, but the last 2/3 or so was Cardinal Sarah answering questions about the global Church today, evangelization, and connecting with God. As a result it was informative and inspirational in equal measures. Cardinal Sarah frequently quoted Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis which made for an interesting juxtaposition of papal styles, all with the same message.
I was really interested in the global view and sometimes surprised at how provincial my own American thinking was. For example, Cardinal Sarah was criticizing the way that parishes will personalize the liturgy outside of the bounds of what is allowed. I thought of the dumbing down that is often done and was nodding in agreement. His example turned out to be that in Africa Masses can sometimes last 6 hours with continual dancing and so forth. I had to laugh at my own surprise and then was thoughtful because the impulses that lead to the very different personalizing of the Mass showed the same problem — glorification of the people and not of God. Fascinating.
I also enjoyed Cardinal Sarah's down-to-earth style in talking about current issues. He's not afraid to tell how the cow ate the cabbage. As the interviewer, Nicolas Diat, says, "Sometimes, the cardinal's thinking seems tough and too demanding. It is certainly a great mystery how someone can be so radical only to arrive at last at a happy medium. Robert Sarah displays a gentle and angelic stubbornness in all things."
I think that what makes the cardinal's tough, demanding thinking palatable is that he always is aiming at dignity for each human person. And that, as he tells us, comes from loving God. Thus his declarations often end in gentle treatment for the individuals most affected by the problems he is detailing.
This is a book I'll be coming back to. For one thing it really made me think of Pope Benedict XVI's style and I've been missing that for a while now. Highly recommended.
I was really interested in the global view and sometimes surprised at how provincial my own American thinking was. For example, Cardinal Sarah was criticizing the way that parishes will personalize the liturgy outside of the bounds of what is allowed. I thought of the dumbing down that is often done and was nodding in agreement. His example turned out to be that in Africa Masses can sometimes last 6 hours with continual dancing and so forth. I had to laugh at my own surprise and then was thoughtful because the impulses that lead to the very different personalizing of the Mass showed the same problem — glorification of the people and not of God. Fascinating.
I also enjoyed Cardinal Sarah's down-to-earth style in talking about current issues. He's not afraid to tell how the cow ate the cabbage. As the interviewer, Nicolas Diat, says, "Sometimes, the cardinal's thinking seems tough and too demanding. It is certainly a great mystery how someone can be so radical only to arrive at last at a happy medium. Robert Sarah displays a gentle and angelic stubbornness in all things."
I think that what makes the cardinal's tough, demanding thinking palatable is that he always is aiming at dignity for each human person. And that, as he tells us, comes from loving God. Thus his declarations often end in gentle treatment for the individuals most affected by the problems he is detailing.
This is a book I'll be coming back to. For one thing it really made me think of Pope Benedict XVI's style and I've been missing that for a while now. Highly recommended.
September 22, 2018
How much I regret not reading this when it first came out! Or at least before now. There is much in it which is timeless and I would give those parts a clear hands-down 5 stars, but towards the end, there is also material relating to the clerical abuse scandals which is already historically-dated and appears well, hopefully optimistic? Innocent, even. It shows what a good and holy man he is. I tried reading some of it and then found it too difficult. I may come back to this again later. Kept thinking his other book is the one I need to be reading now; loved almost every part of that. Cannot help thinking he wrote that as his eyes were opened to what was happening. 😢
September 9, 2017: If I got to vote for Pope, Cardinal Sarah would be my choice. But I don't, so guess I will just have to be content to read his books. I loved The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise and will be reading that again. And this book, I love right off the bat just for its title!!!
Now I am going to spend sometime in Africa with the good Cardinal, learning about his early life, his country, its history and the Church from another side of the world.
September 9, 2017: If I got to vote for Pope, Cardinal Sarah would be my choice. But I don't, so guess I will just have to be content to read his books. I loved The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise and will be reading that again. And this book, I love right off the bat just for its title!!!
Now I am going to spend sometime in Africa with the good Cardinal, learning about his early life, his country, its history and the Church from another side of the world.
September 16, 2018
We are living in a world where we see from every corner of the earth has doubts about the Christian vocation. Many questions are asked from various corners of the world. The holiness of the Christian priesthood and religious life have been questioned day by day. Though inside the seminary many eyes and mouths are reached up to us asking the same questions, challenging the vocations, mocking our decisions to adhere to God's call. I received the answer for all these from God through the book "God or Nothing" by Robert Cardinal Sarah. We received the call from Christ not from any Bishop or Priest or religious who went astray, I am looking at Him and going ahead, the obstacles in the path like scandals and other difficulties are manure for our call. The answer is "Stat Crux dum volvitur orbis - the world turns and the cross remains." These words are repeated in the book The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise. This book helped me a lot to strengthen my heart in my vocation. Robert Sarah advise me how to be a holy priest in the vineyard of Christ.
This is an interview with Nicolas Diat. The first chapter began from the childhood of Cardinal Sarah and it continued with his vocation. The problems he faced with the communist regime in Guinea is shown in different chapters, how God protected him from the hands of the ruler of Sekou. His life as a priest and as a young Bishop, then to Cardinalship the vocation journey continued in his life. The different problems in the current world are dealt with in this book. The problems in the liturgy, clericalism, other postmodern ideologies, problems in the family are dealt with in this book.
After all the main emphasis is on prayer life. To have a good relationship with God is very much important in the life of every Christian. As followers of Christ, we need to in the path of Christ as he prayed in solitude we too are called to be like him. The Carthusian prayer life is introduced in this book. The other book about Silence he made an extensive study on that topic. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is the favorite pope for Cardinal Sarah since he worked with him he was inspired by him.
In this book, he tried to put together all the Church teachings by different Popes at different times for a better understanding of his subject. Altogether this book is a worthwhile reading at this time where we are facing the crisis in our Christian faith. I recommend all my Catholic friends this book. May God bless you all, In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen...
This is an interview with Nicolas Diat. The first chapter began from the childhood of Cardinal Sarah and it continued with his vocation. The problems he faced with the communist regime in Guinea is shown in different chapters, how God protected him from the hands of the ruler of Sekou. His life as a priest and as a young Bishop, then to Cardinalship the vocation journey continued in his life. The different problems in the current world are dealt with in this book. The problems in the liturgy, clericalism, other postmodern ideologies, problems in the family are dealt with in this book.
After all the main emphasis is on prayer life. To have a good relationship with God is very much important in the life of every Christian. As followers of Christ, we need to in the path of Christ as he prayed in solitude we too are called to be like him. The Carthusian prayer life is introduced in this book. The other book about Silence he made an extensive study on that topic. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is the favorite pope for Cardinal Sarah since he worked with him he was inspired by him.
In this book, he tried to put together all the Church teachings by different Popes at different times for a better understanding of his subject. Altogether this book is a worthwhile reading at this time where we are facing the crisis in our Christian faith. I recommend all my Catholic friends this book. May God bless you all, In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen...
September 6, 2016
One of the most profound reflections on the state of the Church I have read in decades. More than that, Cardinal Sarah exhibits the spiritual vision of man of deep prayer and scholarship. The sections on contemplation are alone worth the book. In interview format, the book covers his childhood in the African nation of Guinea, his conflicts as archbishop with the dictator, and his eventual appointment to Rome. Cardinal Sarah shows himself to be one of the most literate, incisive, balanced, and God-centered churchmen of our day.
January 25, 2021
ENGLISH: This book is very interesting. Cardinal Sarah tells of his childhood and life memories, at the same time that he offers many thoughtful ideas regarding the current situation of the Catholic Church in the world.
A few quotes from this book:
From chapter 2: Unfortunately, it is easier to destroy a country than to rebuild it.
From chapter 6: [I]f mankind reforms itself, it will live, but if its headlong flight persists, civilization will become a hell.
From chapter 7: A]theism does not exist. Paradoxically, the very fact of not believing is already the declaration of a repressed faith.
From chapter 9: Man is not born to manage his bank account; he is born to find God and to love his neighbor.
ESPAÑOL: Este libro es muy interesante. El Cardenal Sarah cuenta en él sus recuerdos de niñez y de toda su vida, al mismo tiempo que ofrece muchas ideas bien meditadas respecto a la situación actual de la Iglesia Católica en el mundo.
Algunas citas de este libro:
Del capítulo 2: Desgraciadamente es más fácil destruir un país que reconstruirlo.
Del capítulo 6: Si la humanidad se reforma, vivirá, pero si su persiste en su carrera precipitada, la civilización se convertirá en un infierno.
Del capítulo 7: El ateísmo no existe. Paradójicamente, el solo hecho de no creer ya es la declaración de una fe reprimida.
Del capítulo 9: El hombre no nace para administrar su cuenta bancaria; nace para encontrarse con Dios y amar al prójimo.
A few quotes from this book:
From chapter 2: Unfortunately, it is easier to destroy a country than to rebuild it.
From chapter 6: [I]f mankind reforms itself, it will live, but if its headlong flight persists, civilization will become a hell.
From chapter 7: A]theism does not exist. Paradoxically, the very fact of not believing is already the declaration of a repressed faith.
From chapter 9: Man is not born to manage his bank account; he is born to find God and to love his neighbor.
ESPAÑOL: Este libro es muy interesante. El Cardenal Sarah cuenta en él sus recuerdos de niñez y de toda su vida, al mismo tiempo que ofrece muchas ideas bien meditadas respecto a la situación actual de la Iglesia Católica en el mundo.
Algunas citas de este libro:
Del capítulo 2: Desgraciadamente es más fácil destruir un país que reconstruirlo.
Del capítulo 6: Si la humanidad se reforma, vivirá, pero si su persiste en su carrera precipitada, la civilización se convertirá en un infierno.
Del capítulo 7: El ateísmo no existe. Paradójicamente, el solo hecho de no creer ya es la declaración de una fe reprimida.
Del capítulo 9: El hombre no nace para administrar su cuenta bancaria; nace para encontrarse con Dios y amar al prójimo.
January 29, 2021
An excellent book, by a man who, improbably, rose from a childhood in a small farming village in Guinea to become a Cardinal of the Catholic Church and frequently mentioned as a potential future Pope. A deeply spiritual, orthodox faith fills this book and it rewards a slow reading. I will have to go back and re-read The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise, which I had found disappointing, though perhaps because of my own expectations, but not until after reading The Day Is Now Far Spent.
In God or Nothing, Cardinal Sarah speaks to the confusion of our modern Western societies, the neocolonialism in which wealthy Western societies seek to impose a uniform materialist and globalist vision on the countries of Africa and Asia, the impossibility of valid pastoral practice varying from Magisterial Teaching, the heresy of activism and above all, the need for everything in the Christian life to be grounded in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Highly recommended. (I regret that I have but five stars to give this book.)
In God or Nothing, Cardinal Sarah speaks to the confusion of our modern Western societies, the neocolonialism in which wealthy Western societies seek to impose a uniform materialist and globalist vision on the countries of Africa and Asia, the impossibility of valid pastoral practice varying from Magisterial Teaching, the heresy of activism and above all, the need for everything in the Christian life to be grounded in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Highly recommended. (I regret that I have but five stars to give this book.)
April 4, 2016
Absolutely spectacular read. Beginning with an account of his own upbringing in Africa, Cardinal Sarah touches on all aspects of the Church's life. He speaks with wisdom, consideration of the poor, and the strength and heroism of a man of God. His life is not about a particular ideology, but only the proclamation of the Gospel.
Africa is not mission territory. Africa is the missionaries. Let us hope they can have effect soon.
Africa is not mission territory. Africa is the missionaries. Let us hope they can have effect soon.
March 4, 2017
(Crítica de la 2ª edición en castellano, editorial Palabra, 2015)
El cardenal Gantin decía que "Dios no me pide éxitos, sino amor. El verdadero amor no pasa primero por la palabra, sino por el corazón. Lo demás es secundario y efímero. Sólo Dios es esencial y eterno. Y el amor nos permite parecernos un poco a Él".
Esta cita, presente en el libro, condensa de manera admirable su idea central, el pulso que se mantiene constante a lo largo de la entrevista al abordar las diferentes temáticas sobre la Iglesia, la fe y el mundo. Resulta imposible hablar de todos los temas tratados en el libro, pero yo destacaría los siguientes pasajes:
1. En las páginas 91 a 95 la preciosa explicación que hace de la caridad cristiana, como expresión de Dios y prolongación de su presencia en el mundo.
2. La explicación sobre el CVII, en 124 en adelante.
3. La explicación de la virtud de la pobreza, a partir de la página 166.
Son sólo tres pinceladas que nos revelan a un cardenal de inmensa fe y confianza en Dios, humilde y trabajador. La sana doctrina, sin histerismos, sin peleas y tremendamente caballerosa, sale de las páginas como un soplo de aire fresco, con total claridad pero con una caridad, nunca mejor dicho, exquisita.
El cardenal Gantin decía que "Dios no me pide éxitos, sino amor. El verdadero amor no pasa primero por la palabra, sino por el corazón. Lo demás es secundario y efímero. Sólo Dios es esencial y eterno. Y el amor nos permite parecernos un poco a Él".
Esta cita, presente en el libro, condensa de manera admirable su idea central, el pulso que se mantiene constante a lo largo de la entrevista al abordar las diferentes temáticas sobre la Iglesia, la fe y el mundo. Resulta imposible hablar de todos los temas tratados en el libro, pero yo destacaría los siguientes pasajes:
1. En las páginas 91 a 95 la preciosa explicación que hace de la caridad cristiana, como expresión de Dios y prolongación de su presencia en el mundo.
2. La explicación sobre el CVII, en 124 en adelante.
3. La explicación de la virtud de la pobreza, a partir de la página 166.
Son sólo tres pinceladas que nos revelan a un cardenal de inmensa fe y confianza en Dios, humilde y trabajador. La sana doctrina, sin histerismos, sin peleas y tremendamente caballerosa, sale de las páginas como un soplo de aire fresco, con total claridad pero con una caridad, nunca mejor dicho, exquisita.
June 14, 2017
Claridad absoluta de planteamientos, aunque vayan contra las opiniones generales de la sociedad, incluso de muchos de los creyentes católicos. Interesantísimo.
January 19, 2021
Cardinal Sarah is a humble man, deeply rooted in Christ by prayer.
I loved the chapters on his childhood, studies, the political situation of his country, and his recollections about all the popes he has worked with.
His experiences in Africa, and later on as a cardinal with countries in Asia give him a view of the Church which is very different than the one we have living in western countries. He loves the soul and tradition of African countries and shows that they have much to offer to the Church.
I loved the chapters on his childhood, studies, the political situation of his country, and his recollections about all the popes he has worked with.
His experiences in Africa, and later on as a cardinal with countries in Asia give him a view of the Church which is very different than the one we have living in western countries. He loves the soul and tradition of African countries and shows that they have much to offer to the Church.
October 24, 2025
Cardinal Sarah is incredibly wise and well-spoken, but it is evident he is equally as good a listener, which I think makes this a splendid read of a man full of understanding.
Here’s an excerpt at the end of the book I really liked
“Genuine love does not speak. Are not wordless smiles the most beautiful? God’s silence is a voice, the most profound of all”
Also this was the book my friends betrayed me on
Here’s an excerpt at the end of the book I really liked
“Genuine love does not speak. Are not wordless smiles the most beautiful? God’s silence is a voice, the most profound of all”
Also this was the book my friends betrayed me on
May 7, 2025
Good book. If you are looking for a book where you can learn about how faith can be applied to modern day life then this is your book. It covers a wide range of topics and all within a modern view.
I likes the part on virtuality a lot. Emphasising how music, art, film and more in the modern day have removed silence from our life. What impact might this be and more?
I also liked the analogy of the big rocks and how we must work out our own big rocks if we are to live a fulfilling life.
Overall though this book is a transcript of a conversation so it makes for a difficult read at times. It also means that nothing is truly covered in the depth you are looking for. Moreover, the two men are coming from similar backgrounds meaning rarely are they challenged or consider arguments to their insights.
Nonetheless, I liked this read especially as most Christian books are older so one more grounded in my reality was welcome and useful!
I likes the part on virtuality a lot. Emphasising how music, art, film and more in the modern day have removed silence from our life. What impact might this be and more?
I also liked the analogy of the big rocks and how we must work out our own big rocks if we are to live a fulfilling life.
Overall though this book is a transcript of a conversation so it makes for a difficult read at times. It also means that nothing is truly covered in the depth you are looking for. Moreover, the two men are coming from similar backgrounds meaning rarely are they challenged or consider arguments to their insights.
Nonetheless, I liked this read especially as most Christian books are older so one more grounded in my reality was welcome and useful!
January 17, 2024
God or Nothing by Robert Cardinal Sarah is a fascinating dive into the life and thoughts of one of the most captivating and outspoken clergymen of our time. While partially autobiographical, Cardinal Sarah also offers commentary on the state of the world and how the global Church fits into the larger cultural context today. With a consistent theme focused on the importance of God in both personal and public life, Cardinal Sarah still manages to cover a wide breadth of topics, including his own personal life, issues within the Catholic Church today, secular postmodern philosophical movements, controversial cultural topics, and faith, spirituality, and evangelism. On each of these topics, he speaks the truth boldly about our world today and always reorients the lost culture back to God, the interior life, and prayer. With the spirit of many of the great prophets who have come before him, he describes the hell on earth which is created from the abandonment of God and issues a warning to the western world to reclaim its Christian roots. While I found myself being shocked by the bluntness and harsh tone of his words, I still appreciated Cardinal Sarah’s clarity and conviction on so many issues clouded by confusion, offering a needed wakeup call to our world today. While I did find the content of this book particularly relevant and important to our age, there were still a few gripes I had. Firstly, Cardinal Sarah places a considerable emphasis on the clergy and monastic life in relation to issues within the Church as well as the broader culture at large. While I found his perspective interesting, I wish he had spoken more into the laity’s role within the Church and how we as lay people can address many of the issues he brings up. Secondly, although I agreed with many of the points he makes, I didn’t find myself gaining many new insights on many of the topics Cardinal Sarah covers while he simply confirmed what I already believe. Though it may be no fault of his own, I do have a concern that his message will be resigned to preaching to the choir of his readers while falling on deaf ears of those it is ultimately directed most forcefully towards. Although these issues keep God or Nothing from being extraordinary in my mind, I still found it to be overall a necessary and prophetic work for our times. (4.5/5)
July 8, 2019
Part memoir, part commentary on the state of the Church and of global Christianity, this wonderful book has so many highlightable lines you'll need a new system to underscore the really, really profound things Cardinal Sarah has to say. As a Protestant reader, I would obviously differ with some of Cardinal Sarah's teachings. And some sections are more germane to insider-Catholic conversations, but none of it was irrelevant, since the challenges facing Christianity in the twenty-first century cut across denominational lines. I was especially moved by Cardinal Sarah's eloquence in speaking about the "interior life" with the Triune God as the key to Christian faithfulness. This book should be a nice prequel to Sarah's forthcoming 2019 book, which serves as a warning to the Western Church: The Day Is Now Far Spent.
I'll just include one quote that gets at the heart of Sarah's burden in this book:
"Today, in the rich and powerful countries, the eclipse of God leads man toward practical materialism, disorderly or abusive consumption, and the creation of false moral norms. Material well-being and immediate satisfaction become the only reason for living. At the end of this process, it is no longer even about fighting God; Christ and the Father are ignored. The reason for this is obvious: God no longer interests anyone. He is dead, and his departure leaves us indifferent....Confronted with all these difficulties, it is necessary to return to the foundations of Christian hope and to declare that life on this earth is only part of our existence, which will be prolonged and completed in eternity. In season and out of season, the Church must recall that life cannot be summed up in terms of the satisfaction of material pleasures, without moral rules. At the end of a journey without God there is only the unhappiness of a child deprived of his parents. Yes, hope abides in God alone!" (170-71, 172).
I'll just include one quote that gets at the heart of Sarah's burden in this book:
"Today, in the rich and powerful countries, the eclipse of God leads man toward practical materialism, disorderly or abusive consumption, and the creation of false moral norms. Material well-being and immediate satisfaction become the only reason for living. At the end of this process, it is no longer even about fighting God; Christ and the Father are ignored. The reason for this is obvious: God no longer interests anyone. He is dead, and his departure leaves us indifferent....Confronted with all these difficulties, it is necessary to return to the foundations of Christian hope and to declare that life on this earth is only part of our existence, which will be prolonged and completed in eternity. In season and out of season, the Church must recall that life cannot be summed up in terms of the satisfaction of material pleasures, without moral rules. At the end of a journey without God there is only the unhappiness of a child deprived of his parents. Yes, hope abides in God alone!" (170-71, 172).
January 13, 2018
Great telling of a poor African from the bush in Guinea who became a Cardinal. This book is full of truths that many would rather not hear. The west evangelized Africa. Now we need Africa to return the favor.
March 5, 2025
I don't even know what to say. Just read this. Trust me
November 27, 2019
Cardinal Sarah's inspiring life story is a great read for anyone who wants to understand the Catholic church from a more global perspective. It also includes a great wealth of information about the teachings of the Church and the legacies of the several Popes prior to Francis, along with wonderful quotations from Scripture and Encyclicals, which Cardinal Sarah applies to all aspects of the faith, including sin, scandals, and helping the poor. I read this with my book club, and it sparked lots of interesting discussion about the contents of the book itself as well as more current events in the Church. I'm hoping to read the Cardinal's other books soon!
Read
June 2, 2023SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!! it took me about three months to read it, but that’s because it’s so dense (in a wonderful way)! covers so many different concepts about drawing close to God; there were so many moments when i just had to put the book down and reflect for a while. also is interesting because of how Cardinal Sarah discusses many contemporary issues in the Church and the world, and his reflections helped shape / strengthen my own beliefs about the world’s issues today. such a good book for any Catholic out there who is generally curious about the state of the Church!
February 27, 2017
A very good read, especially if you are a passionate Catholic and know a fair bit about the ins and outs of Catholic doctrine and theology. The story of Robert Cardinal Sarah's life is amazing, but the emphasis on doctrine can make this book somewhat of a slow read at times.
August 11, 2016
dopo aver letto questo libro in poco più di una giornata... un' unica cosa mi rimane con certezza e commozione.. la tenerezza di Dio per l'uomo. ( che grande questo Cardinale!!!)
March 25, 2024
Robert Cardinal Sarah, a high official in the Vatican, started his life in an obscure village in Guinea, Africa. His town has a Holy Ghost Fathers mission from the turn of the twentieth century; Sarah is only a third generation Catholic. He was very impressed with the fathers and discerned a vocation to the priesthood, not an easy thing in a country run by communist dictators and awash in poverty. His life took many dramatic turns, eventually leading him to Rome as a seminarian. He was ordained in 1969 and became bishop of Conakry (Guinea's capital) in 1979. He was reluctant to take on the duty, thinking of himself as unworthy and unprepared. Also, his predecessor was jailed by the communist dictator Sekoue Toure. Sarah excelled, reforming the local seminary and eventually being called to Rome to another service for which he was unsure, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He trusted in Pope John Paul II and in the Lord that he would be successful. The story of his life is fascinating and well told by the cardinal through the book's interview format.
But his history only covers the first third of the book. The rest provides reflections and insights Cardinal Sarah has gathered over his years of service. He is forthright in his support of the Catholic faith, especially related to family and social issues. The heart of the faith is the love found in the Holy Trinity; we are meant to reflect and express that love in our lives, no matter what our station in life. He combines a wide knowledge of Scriptures and Church teachings with his experiences in Africa. This book is a delight to read and gives an interesting perspective that is both familiar and original.
Highly recommended.
SAMPLE QUOTE:
The ideological spirit is the opposite of the Gospel spirit. That is why priests who choose to follow or to propagate political ideas are necessarily on the wrong path, since they make sacred something that is not supposed to be. Ideology is by nature disconnected from reality, and it is necessarily a source of division, since it cannot win the lasting allegiance of people who are still anchored in reality, in good times and bad. [p. 130]
But his history only covers the first third of the book. The rest provides reflections and insights Cardinal Sarah has gathered over his years of service. He is forthright in his support of the Catholic faith, especially related to family and social issues. The heart of the faith is the love found in the Holy Trinity; we are meant to reflect and express that love in our lives, no matter what our station in life. He combines a wide knowledge of Scriptures and Church teachings with his experiences in Africa. This book is a delight to read and gives an interesting perspective that is both familiar and original.
Highly recommended.
SAMPLE QUOTE:
The ideological spirit is the opposite of the Gospel spirit. That is why priests who choose to follow or to propagate political ideas are necessarily on the wrong path, since they make sacred something that is not supposed to be. Ideology is by nature disconnected from reality, and it is necessarily a source of division, since it cannot win the lasting allegiance of people who are still anchored in reality, in good times and bad. [p. 130]
August 23, 2022
Difícil resulta escribir una reseña de este libro mejor que la que hace Benedicto XVI y que se puede leer en la sinopsis. El cardenal Sarah es un hombre de profundas convicciones y origen muy humilde (una aldea de Guinea muy alejada de Conakri). La primera parte del libro, más biográfica, es apasionante, y nos muestra los frutos de misioneros desplazados en las zonas más inaccesibles del planeta. Además, nos introduce en la espiritualidad africana, y constituye un testimonio de primera mano del daño que produjo en el país el régimen marxista que tomó el poder tras la independencia. El resto de capítulos está dedicado, por una parte, a las preguntas básicas de la religión católica (el problema del mal, la santidad, la oración, la salvación, etc.) y a los desafíos del siglo XXI (relativismo, ideología de género, pederastia, divorciados vueltos a casar, etc.). Las respuestas no se corresponden con el estilo general de las entrevistas, sino que están muy trabajadas y abundan en citas de los últimos papas (de Juan XXIII a Francisco), de las Sagradas Escrituras y de los Padres De la Iglesia. El cardenal tiene palabras elogiosas hacia los papas con los que ha trabajado, y un capítulo entero está dedicado a la encíclica de Francisco sobre la Alegría del Evangelio. No es de extrañar en absoluto que se haya vendido tan bien, la profundidad y la claridad del autor bien merecen un reconocimiento. Muy recomendable.
October 26, 2019
Una mirada profunda desde África a la Iglesia y al Mundo Contemporáneo. Un místico disfrazado de Cardenal. Un hombre de gran sabiduría y humildad. Un altavoz de los pobres y un fustigador de la corrupción moral e intelectual que habla con suma sencillez y claridad aunque tenga una mente privilegiada.
January 1, 2023
Preclara obra de un agudo cardenal, conocedor de como en la milenaria cultura africana las semillas del verbo siempre estuvieron presente. Además, una obra que presenta un análisis de realidades consideradas desfasadas inclusive por muchos católicos en la actualidad. En la narración de su autobiografía es posible notar como percibió la mano de Dios inclusive en los hechos más difíciles en su vida.
October 4, 2025
The introduction was amazing, for his personal story is inspirational. While this book was well worth reading, I found Sarah's attempts to defend the Hermeneutic of Continuity to be tiresome. His defenses of every document from the Francis Pontificate felt political rather than earnest, and detracted from the otherwise beautiful text of the book.
It is written in a Q&A style because it's the result of an extended interview, and that makes for more enjoyable reading than most in this genre, because it jumps around often.
It is written in a Q&A style because it's the result of an extended interview, and that makes for more enjoyable reading than most in this genre, because it jumps around often.
October 19, 2015
God or Nothing is an interview of Robert Cardinal Sarah conducted by Nicholas Diat. Cardinal Sarah is a Guinean Cardinal Prelate and Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. He was previously Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum (Human and Christian Development). He was born in 1945 and entered seminary in 1957. Yes, you read that right. He entered the seminary at age 12. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 (age 24), consecrated a bishop in 1079 (age 34), and created a cardinal in 2010 (age 65) by Pope Benedict XVI. Not that I had any doubts in Pope Benedict, but he made a wise choice picking Robert Sarah to become a cardinal.
In the beginning of this book Cardinal Sarah, discusses his childhood and village, how his ancestors were all animists, and the missionary priests of the order of the Holy Ghost Fathers and the impact they had on his village and him particularly. He also discusses the nurturing of his vocation and what put him on the path to priesthood. After background on his early life and ordination in the priesthood, we learn about his further studies in Rome, which included Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. By studying these languages he felt, he was able to read and better appreciate Scripture and commentary texts in their original languages. I agree wholeheartedly with him, and it makes me wish I had more of an ability to picking up foreign languages. The really interesting chapter to me was his opinion on all the popes during his lifetime, which so far spans Pius XII to Francis. He was honest in the distress he felt when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, but after a few days, he came to acceptance of the decision, because he knew it was a decision the former pope did not make on his own, but with the guidance of Jesus.
The above paragraph only covers the first three chapters of the book. The rest of the book is where you will find the wisdom of a pastor. He discusses issues facing the world, issues facing the Church, how Christianity and morality align, etc. I found myself nodding along with everything that Cardinal Sarah said, and I am truly grateful that he is one of the leaders of the Church, and I am pleased that he has so strong a voice at the ongoing Synod. May more Cardinals be as bold and honest as him, when they speak the truth in love on who the Church is and what she believes.
In the beginning of this book Cardinal Sarah, discusses his childhood and village, how his ancestors were all animists, and the missionary priests of the order of the Holy Ghost Fathers and the impact they had on his village and him particularly. He also discusses the nurturing of his vocation and what put him on the path to priesthood. After background on his early life and ordination in the priesthood, we learn about his further studies in Rome, which included Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. By studying these languages he felt, he was able to read and better appreciate Scripture and commentary texts in their original languages. I agree wholeheartedly with him, and it makes me wish I had more of an ability to picking up foreign languages. The really interesting chapter to me was his opinion on all the popes during his lifetime, which so far spans Pius XII to Francis. He was honest in the distress he felt when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, but after a few days, he came to acceptance of the decision, because he knew it was a decision the former pope did not make on his own, but with the guidance of Jesus.
The above paragraph only covers the first three chapters of the book. The rest of the book is where you will find the wisdom of a pastor. He discusses issues facing the world, issues facing the Church, how Christianity and morality align, etc. I found myself nodding along with everything that Cardinal Sarah said, and I am truly grateful that he is one of the leaders of the Church, and I am pleased that he has so strong a voice at the ongoing Synod. May more Cardinals be as bold and honest as him, when they speak the truth in love on who the Church is and what she believes.
August 22, 2019
Third attempt at my review:
My first two reviews were deleted [not by me] and didn't 'save'.
Robert Cardinal Sarah is rumored to be someone who could be a future Pope of the Catholic Church With that in mind, I read this book, subtitled: A conversation on Faith with Nicolas Diat.
The format involves Diat asking questions of the Cardinal and his [mostly] lengthy responses. For instance, Do you think that John Paul 11 was a prophet? But many issues are discussed in the book that interest most Catholics such as gender theory, homosexuality, clerical celibacy, scientific research and the Church, progress or hope, euthanasia and the culture of death.
The only omission that might surprise some is that of the clerical sexual abuse scandal, which I believe was not discussed because the interview prior to 2015 predated much of the disclosures made in the media.
Nevertheless, the book is weighty with the Cardinal's insight and perspective which should be appreciated by all Catholic readers.
My first two reviews were deleted [not by me] and didn't 'save'.
Robert Cardinal Sarah is rumored to be someone who could be a future Pope of the Catholic Church With that in mind, I read this book, subtitled: A conversation on Faith with Nicolas Diat.
The format involves Diat asking questions of the Cardinal and his [mostly] lengthy responses. For instance, Do you think that John Paul 11 was a prophet? But many issues are discussed in the book that interest most Catholics such as gender theory, homosexuality, clerical celibacy, scientific research and the Church, progress or hope, euthanasia and the culture of death.
The only omission that might surprise some is that of the clerical sexual abuse scandal, which I believe was not discussed because the interview prior to 2015 predated much of the disclosures made in the media.
Nevertheless, the book is weighty with the Cardinal's insight and perspective which should be appreciated by all Catholic readers.
September 5, 2018
Cardinal Sarah has quite the upstanding reputation in modern Catholicism. From a humble upbringing, a struggle against antagonist government in his early years of ministry, a catapulting to places of religious power, that the cardinal has retained his fidelity to Christ and the Church, espousing and promoting orthodoxy and adherence to the magisterium, prove that he is one of the good princes of the Church. Amid compromising bishops and cardinals, and the push of modernism and aggressive colonial secularism, Cardinal Sarah is steadfast in his beliefs and love of the Church and his people. His story is inspiring and his preaching is impressively touching. Read this if you want to see how Catholicism ought to be lived out.
December 31, 2018
Beautiful book. Beautiful man.
I heard recently that Africa will be the key to redemption of the Catholic Church. I believe Cardinal Sarah may be leading this revolution. Obviously written not long before the real extent of the scandals unfolded but a reflection of a very smart man with a heart for God.
I wish I was half the man of Cardinal Sarah, such an intellectual man of wisdom, faith, hope & love with exceptional knowing.
Much of the intellect and depth of this book is beyond my reach but what I do understand is enough. God is enough - that is pretty much what this book reinforces for me. I loved reading this book and am a better man for it.
Thank you Cardinal Sarah. I would join others in voting you in as next Pope. God Bless You.
I heard recently that Africa will be the key to redemption of the Catholic Church. I believe Cardinal Sarah may be leading this revolution. Obviously written not long before the real extent of the scandals unfolded but a reflection of a very smart man with a heart for God.
I wish I was half the man of Cardinal Sarah, such an intellectual man of wisdom, faith, hope & love with exceptional knowing.
Much of the intellect and depth of this book is beyond my reach but what I do understand is enough. God is enough - that is pretty much what this book reinforces for me. I loved reading this book and am a better man for it.
Thank you Cardinal Sarah. I would join others in voting you in as next Pope. God Bless You.
March 30, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by what I read in this book. I had only heard about Cardinal Robert Sarah. Not only did I come to know about his life, but it was put together in such a way that I believe it is helpful for spiritual growth. There's a great deal of info about the various popes and their work to protect the teachings of the Church and the care they have for God's people. Also, many of the saints are quoted which clarifies Church teaching. This was a selection for our spiritual book club. Excellent choice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews