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Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church
The Catholic Church is on the threshold of a bold new era in its two-thousand year history. As the curtain comes down on the Church defined by the 16th-century Counter-Reformation, the curtain is rising on the Evangelical Catholicism of the third millennium: a way of being Catholic that comes from over a century of Catholic reform; a mission-centered renewal honed by the Second Vatican Council and given compelling expression by Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
The Gospel-centered Evangelical Catholicism of the future will send all the people of the Church into mission territory every day -- a territory increasingly defined in the West by spiritual boredom and aggressive secularism. Confronting both these cultural challenges and the shadows cast by recent Catholic history, Evangelical Catholicism unapologetically proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the truth of the world. It also molds disciples who witness to faith, hope, and love by the quality of their lives and the nobility of their aspirations. Thus the Catholicism of the 21st century and beyond will be a culture-forming counterculture, offering all men and women of good will a deeply humane alternative to the soul-stifling self-absorption of postmodernity.
Drawing on thirty years of experience throughout the Catholic world, from its humblest parishes to its highest levels of authority, George Weigel proposes a deepening of faith-based and mission-driven Catholic reform that touches every facet of Catholic life -- from the episcopate and the papacy to the priesthood and the consecrated life; from the renewal of the lay vocation in the world to the redefinition of the Church's engagement with public life; from the liturgy to the Church's intellectual life. Lay Catholics and clergy alike should welcome the challenge of this unique moment in the Church's history, Weigel urges. Mediocrity is not an option, and all Catholics, no matter what their station in life, are called to live the evangelical vocation into which they were baptized: without compromise, but with the joy, courage, and confidence that comes from living this side of the Resurrection.
The Gospel-centered Evangelical Catholicism of the future will send all the people of the Church into mission territory every day -- a territory increasingly defined in the West by spiritual boredom and aggressive secularism. Confronting both these cultural challenges and the shadows cast by recent Catholic history, Evangelical Catholicism unapologetically proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the truth of the world. It also molds disciples who witness to faith, hope, and love by the quality of their lives and the nobility of their aspirations. Thus the Catholicism of the 21st century and beyond will be a culture-forming counterculture, offering all men and women of good will a deeply humane alternative to the soul-stifling self-absorption of postmodernity.
Drawing on thirty years of experience throughout the Catholic world, from its humblest parishes to its highest levels of authority, George Weigel proposes a deepening of faith-based and mission-driven Catholic reform that touches every facet of Catholic life -- from the episcopate and the papacy to the priesthood and the consecrated life; from the renewal of the lay vocation in the world to the redefinition of the Church's engagement with public life; from the liturgy to the Church's intellectual life. Lay Catholics and clergy alike should welcome the challenge of this unique moment in the Church's history, Weigel urges. Mediocrity is not an option, and all Catholics, no matter what their station in life, are called to live the evangelical vocation into which they were baptized: without compromise, but with the joy, courage, and confidence that comes from living this side of the Resurrection.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2013
41 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
George Weigel
126 books154 followersAmerican author and political and social activist. Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Weigel was the Founding President of the James Madison Foundation.
Each summer, Weigel and several other Catholic intellectuals from the United States, Poland, and across Europe conduct the Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society in Krakow, in which they and an assortment of students from the United States, Poland, and several other emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe discuss Christianity within the context of liberal democracy and capitalism, with the papal encyclical Centesimus Annus being the focal point.
He is a member of the advisory council of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
Each summer, Weigel and several other Catholic intellectuals from the United States, Poland, and across Europe conduct the Tertio Millennio Seminar on the Free Society in Krakow, in which they and an assortment of students from the United States, Poland, and several other emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe discuss Christianity within the context of liberal democracy and capitalism, with the papal encyclical Centesimus Annus being the focal point.
He is a member of the advisory council of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 27, 2014
Short Review: This is much more inside baseball than what I expected. And while I enjoyed some of it, other parts were too obscure (or detailed) for a non-catholic like myself. I also think that Weigel occasionally confuses his conservative beliefs with Catholic theology. But even though it took me forever to get through the book I am encouraged by the recounting of a real movement of orthodox reform within the church.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/evangelical-catholic...
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/evangelical-catholic...
March 27, 2020
Evangelicalism Catholicism is exactly the kind of book that I have been wanting to read. I was looking for a Catholic analysis of the contemporary Catholic Church that steers clear of both Traditional Catholicism and Liberal Catholicism. Weigel does exactly that. The major thrust of the book is narrating the shift that has occurred in the Catholic church from what Weigel calls “Counter-Reformational Catholicism” to “Evangelical Catholicism”. The first part of the book lays out 10 characteristics of Evangelical Catholicism. The second part of the book is where Weigel suggests deep reform of the episcopate, priesthood, liturgy, consecrated life, lay vocation, the Church’s intellectual life, the Church’s public policy advocacy, and the papacy all in light of his description of Evangelical Catholicism. I found myself in large agreement with Weigel’s analysis. One thing I would of liked to have seen is a deeper and more theological and historical engagement with the claim that Pope Leo XIII started the evangelical Catholic stage of the Church’s life and left behind the counter reformational posture of the Church embodied in Pope Pius IX.
February 17, 2020
I am a Protestant but I thoroughly enjoyed this fine book. It is exciting to see fellow Christians of the Catholic persuasion aggressively pursuing intimacy with God.
January 23, 2015
The always perceptive George Weigel has, quite simply, described the future of the Catholic Church. Moving beyond the post-Vatican II divide of progressives and traditionalists, Weigel describes a joyful, courageous Church that stands for something instead of providing social services with a spiritual twist. Weigel argues that the current state of the Church is at a tipping point, driven there not by the last Council, but since the papacy of Leo XIII when it moved away from a catechetical-devotional Church. This is an evangelical pilgrimage Church that, true to itself and its history, is an authentic vibrant Catholicism attractive to the next generation. Weigel's description of future Catholics is not some imaginary prescription for growth, but a description of what is already happening in the pews.
March 5, 2015
The author writes of reform in the Catholic Church in spreading the gospel. He discusses the actions of Popes from Pius XII through Benedict and what they have accomplished. Marriage and the pro-life stance are mentioned as is the duty of priests to serve as shepherds. This is a thoughtful read on the Catholic faith.
March 15, 2022
This book goes into a great deal of detail about the Catholic Church's policies. I was hoping for more of a how to approach. It was very informative. It goes over how clergy and parishioners should approach the policies set forth. This book is important for parishioners who are set in the their beliefs that we just need to follow the rules and go the Mass regularly.
November 13, 2013
This book is amazing. It is the New Evangelization spelled out in all its parts, its raison d'etre, its origins, and how to go about implementing it.
June 9, 2025
The content of this book was good but the narrator's mispronunciation of even the most basic Catholic words was incredibly distracting.
Weigel is an interesting voice in the space of reform and renewal. This is a worthwhile read for those interested in the renewal and reform of the 21st Century Catholic Church with an eye toward engaging the world in the Faith and the Sacramental life. More progressive readers will struggle with portions, though Weigel is often simply upholding the truths of the Faith. If you want a more academic understanding and viewpoint on church renewal, this is a good starting place before moving into more practical reads such as Divine Renovation or Rebuilt.
Weigel is an interesting voice in the space of reform and renewal. This is a worthwhile read for those interested in the renewal and reform of the 21st Century Catholic Church with an eye toward engaging the world in the Faith and the Sacramental life. More progressive readers will struggle with portions, though Weigel is often simply upholding the truths of the Faith. If you want a more academic understanding and viewpoint on church renewal, this is a good starting place before moving into more practical reads such as Divine Renovation or Rebuilt.
January 20, 2024
If you are wondering about the demise of the church and how it happened over the past 100+ years this is your book. Weigel also gives common sense ways to correct it for the future, eliminating the 2 old to lead group, parish priests who can not lead a parish, cardinals who do nothing, etc. It is a get tough book for church leadership and it is needed. Weigel relies on Leo Xii and his move to take the church beyond the reformation and into the 20th century. As he describes in the book, these changes have lead us to a new kind of leader in Pope Francis. A leader that steps back to what the early church fathers intended, meeting people where they are and listening and teaching.
December 20, 2024
Written by a Catholic for Catholics, so some of the conversation was a bit esoteric for me. However, Weigel's charge to live a Gospel centered life is convicting, even for a protestant such as myself. It also helped me gain a better understanding of this particular movement within Catholicism, of which many of my friends follow.
December 24, 2017
It sounded like the reform he speaks of are his beliefs about how the faithful must behave/believe. I know he's very informed about our faith but it read more like a list of "must do's" and while I agree with his thinking, I don't need to read it so I didn't finish this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
Typical George Weigel intellectual depth, spoiled by the repetition of the title in every other sentence. Read any other book by GW and you realize what a contribution he has made to American Catholic thought in the early 21st century.
December 31, 2019
I need to read it with a pen in hand next time.
April 13, 2023
A thorough academic treatise on the need for deep reform in th e a Roman church. I was expecting a few more hints and tips towards how to practice a more evangelistic Catholicism.
March 5, 2017
Interesting for the history and enjoyed a lot of his ideas. However, he has a tendency to be disregarding of those who may come from a different theological or political persuasion. There was a number of time that he criticises a book or people without reason or without qualifying his statements.
May 12, 2013
In the immediate wake of the election of Pope Francis, George Weigel was asked what he would like readers to take from his book (which was completed less than a year ago). His reply, I think, is no different than what it would have been when the volume was published: "A sense of hope for a bright Catholic future, in which a purified and revivified Catholicism, meeting the Lord once again on the Emmaus roads of the 21st century, rediscovers the power that comes from a commitment to mission."
Weigel's vision of a properly executed "commitment to mission" is the thread that runs throughout the book. Part One lays out his vision for Evangelical Catholicism covering its roots (EC is not something that needs to begin but rather something that needs to continue to be implemented), what it means for the Church and the world, and what "deep reform" (note that the subtitle is not subtle) would look like.
Part Two looks at how these reforms would impact the episcopate, the priesthood, the liturgy, religious life, lay persons, Catholic intellectual life, the Church's public policy advocacy, and the papacy. Weigel is not hesitant to point out historical and current problems in each of these areas, the roots of these problems, and correctives needed. Every member of the Church is addressed and challenged here. When finished with it, lay persons may want to pass this along to a priest or religious, even if that person only has time to read the chapter dealing with his vocation, and then discuss it with him. This would be a great way to engage those with a special religious vocation.
Particularly impressive is that the author appeals to Scripture, the authentic letter and spirit of Vatican II, and many Church documents from Leo XIII's "Rerum Novarum" to the latest encyclical, Benedict's "Caritas in Veritate." John Paul II, with whom Weigel is intimately familiar, naturally receives significant treatment not only because of this familiarity but because of the length of his pontificate and his desire to properly implement the reforms of Vatican II. Weigel clearly shows that his own proposals for reform are based solidly in recent (at least in relation to the age of the Church) teaching, thus in continuity with them, yet, like them, solidly grounded in Biblical roots.
If you are on the fence regarding purchasing this book, I suggest using the "Look Inside" feature in Amazon to peruse the table of contents and to read the prologue. This will provide the overview a potential reader needs to get a good sense of what Weigel dives into in admirable detail (he says in the acknowledgments that the "book is the product of some thirty years of reflection on the future of the Catholic Church" and it shows). Weigel's broad knowledge of history, both of the Church and of the world, his understanding of the culture, and his deep faith are on display once again.
Heartily recommended to convict the convinced, spur to action the lukewarm or disengaged, and challenge the rest.
Weigel's vision of a properly executed "commitment to mission" is the thread that runs throughout the book. Part One lays out his vision for Evangelical Catholicism covering its roots (EC is not something that needs to begin but rather something that needs to continue to be implemented), what it means for the Church and the world, and what "deep reform" (note that the subtitle is not subtle) would look like.
Part Two looks at how these reforms would impact the episcopate, the priesthood, the liturgy, religious life, lay persons, Catholic intellectual life, the Church's public policy advocacy, and the papacy. Weigel is not hesitant to point out historical and current problems in each of these areas, the roots of these problems, and correctives needed. Every member of the Church is addressed and challenged here. When finished with it, lay persons may want to pass this along to a priest or religious, even if that person only has time to read the chapter dealing with his vocation, and then discuss it with him. This would be a great way to engage those with a special religious vocation.
Particularly impressive is that the author appeals to Scripture, the authentic letter and spirit of Vatican II, and many Church documents from Leo XIII's "Rerum Novarum" to the latest encyclical, Benedict's "Caritas in Veritate." John Paul II, with whom Weigel is intimately familiar, naturally receives significant treatment not only because of this familiarity but because of the length of his pontificate and his desire to properly implement the reforms of Vatican II. Weigel clearly shows that his own proposals for reform are based solidly in recent (at least in relation to the age of the Church) teaching, thus in continuity with them, yet, like them, solidly grounded in Biblical roots.
If you are on the fence regarding purchasing this book, I suggest using the "Look Inside" feature in Amazon to peruse the table of contents and to read the prologue. This will provide the overview a potential reader needs to get a good sense of what Weigel dives into in admirable detail (he says in the acknowledgments that the "book is the product of some thirty years of reflection on the future of the Catholic Church" and it shows). Weigel's broad knowledge of history, both of the Church and of the world, his understanding of the culture, and his deep faith are on display once again.
Heartily recommended to convict the convinced, spur to action the lukewarm or disengaged, and challenge the rest.
March 17, 2013
The timing for George Weigel's book, being released widely just as Pope Benedict was resigning, couldn't have been more perfect.
The term, Evangelical Catholicism, was coined by John Paul II in his first return trip to Poland in 1979 and developed over his Papacy and that of Benedict's. It is being discussed even more as Pope Francis begins his Papacy. But Weigel shows how it's roots go back to the late 19th century, when the church went from being on the defensive following the reformation, toward the road toward evangelizing in an increasingly secular world.
"The cultural Catholicism of the past was 'comfortable' because it fit neatly within the ambient public culture, causing little chafing between one's life 'in the church' and ones life 'in the world,' Weigel writes. "Evangelical Catholicism, by contrast, is a counterculture that seeks to convert the ambient public culture by proclaiming certain truths, by worshipping in spirit and in truth, and by modeling a more humane way of life. Evangelical Catholicism does not seek to 'get along,'; it seeks to convert.''
Cardinals, Bishops and other top church leaders were already using the words of John Paul's biographer to guide them as they grow the church through Evangelical Catholicism.
"Evangelical Catholicism is the Catholicism that is being born, often with great difficulty, through the work of the Holy Spirit in prompting deep Catholic reform -- a reform that meets the challenges posed to Christian orthodoxy and Christian life by by the riptides of change that have reshaped world culture since the 19th century,'' Weigel writes.
Secularism, simply not talking or thinking about God or religion, as well as atheism are on the rise. More challenging: relativism, the notion that there is no absolute truth, that we all come up with our own truths, that your actions are relative to others.
"The challenge today is to recognize the distinctive character of that cultural hostility, which was born of an indifference to biblical religion that mutated in the 19th century into the claim that the God of the Bible is the enemy of human freedom, human maturity and progress in the natural sciences,'' Weigel writes.
Most reporting of the workings of he church is cartoonish at best. Weigel understands these issues better than nearly anyone and he can explain them in a way that makes sense to laymen.
He shows the change from Post Reformation Catholicism to Evangelical Catholicism actually began a century ago and has slowly evolved with the church manifesting itself when John Paul coined the term. The church isn't an organization- it's a living organism and Weigel explains it well along with the challenges ahead.
The term, Evangelical Catholicism, was coined by John Paul II in his first return trip to Poland in 1979 and developed over his Papacy and that of Benedict's. It is being discussed even more as Pope Francis begins his Papacy. But Weigel shows how it's roots go back to the late 19th century, when the church went from being on the defensive following the reformation, toward the road toward evangelizing in an increasingly secular world.
"The cultural Catholicism of the past was 'comfortable' because it fit neatly within the ambient public culture, causing little chafing between one's life 'in the church' and ones life 'in the world,' Weigel writes. "Evangelical Catholicism, by contrast, is a counterculture that seeks to convert the ambient public culture by proclaiming certain truths, by worshipping in spirit and in truth, and by modeling a more humane way of life. Evangelical Catholicism does not seek to 'get along,'; it seeks to convert.''
Cardinals, Bishops and other top church leaders were already using the words of John Paul's biographer to guide them as they grow the church through Evangelical Catholicism.
"Evangelical Catholicism is the Catholicism that is being born, often with great difficulty, through the work of the Holy Spirit in prompting deep Catholic reform -- a reform that meets the challenges posed to Christian orthodoxy and Christian life by by the riptides of change that have reshaped world culture since the 19th century,'' Weigel writes.
Secularism, simply not talking or thinking about God or religion, as well as atheism are on the rise. More challenging: relativism, the notion that there is no absolute truth, that we all come up with our own truths, that your actions are relative to others.
"The challenge today is to recognize the distinctive character of that cultural hostility, which was born of an indifference to biblical religion that mutated in the 19th century into the claim that the God of the Bible is the enemy of human freedom, human maturity and progress in the natural sciences,'' Weigel writes.
Most reporting of the workings of he church is cartoonish at best. Weigel understands these issues better than nearly anyone and he can explain them in a way that makes sense to laymen.
He shows the change from Post Reformation Catholicism to Evangelical Catholicism actually began a century ago and has slowly evolved with the church manifesting itself when John Paul coined the term. The church isn't an organization- it's a living organism and Weigel explains it well along with the challenges ahead.
May 4, 2013
A clear and insightful analysis of 21st century Catholicism. Weigel explains "evangelical Catholicism" as a movement that began with Pope Leo XIII and urges a continuation of this "deep Catholic reform," issuing an inspiring challenge to the faithful while also proposing concrete changes. Yet he does so without getting stuck in the tired out liberal vs. conservative, progressive vs. traditional dichotomy. Weigel explains how "evangelical Catholicism" moves beyond these classifications, using "truth" and "mission" as its reference points and building upon the foundation of deep friendship with Christ. I noted that his acknowledgement section mentioned the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, and Pope Francis certainly fits into his vision of an Evangelical Catholic, so it will be interesting to see how his observations and challenges play out over the next few years. A very thought-provoking read.
April 23, 2015
into missionary heart, begin Leo13th w/Aquinas, not to get along to convert, to holiness, preach gospel without compromise, human search for divine, made by God destined for God, the Gospel reveals, 77 years war in Europe 1914, friendship with Jesus, conversion a matter of love-deep fidelity with sacraments and word of God-joyful discipleship-courageous evangelism, truth and love, renaissance of faith-renewal, one God unity-holy sacred bride-catholic communion-apostolic witness of friendship, unity with Jesus, reform of communities, cycles of heresy in history, honest id of higher ed to truth and mission, life issues measure degree totalitarian govts and failed regimes, begin with human rights commissions, totalitarianism restrictions on rights and liberties, politicians as baptized pagans, love God more than others-feed lambs sheep, intellect and humility, opportunities not obstacles, follow me.
June 4, 2013
George Weigel, who is best known as the premier biographer of Blessed John Paul II, turns his attention to the Catholic Church of the 21st Century in his new book Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st Century Church. While the title of the book may be disconcerting to some, Weigel’s primary premise is that the Catholic Church must live out the teaching mandates of the Second Vatican Council to be effective in it mission to evangelize to all the nations (Matt 28:19). He asserts that the People of God, collectively and individually, manifest Evangelical Catholicism when they live their lives in friendship with Christ as witnesses to the world of faith, hope and charity.
To read my full review please visit my post at Joe Catholic Review of Weigel's Evangelical Catholicism
To read my full review please visit my post at Joe Catholic Review of Weigel's Evangelical Catholicism
November 30, 2014
Published within days of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, this book all but predicted the election of Pope Francis and the keynote evangelical style of his papacy (see the quotation from the Apericida document, authored by Bergoglio, on the front page). The first half of his book is an accurate analysis of the century-long transformation of the Catholic Church from the start of Leo XIII's reign right up to and including JPII and BXVI demonstrating how the ship of the Church has navigated a 180 degree turn around from "Fortress Catholica" to "Evangelical Catholicism". Although things didn't quite turn out the way that Weigel hoped (the second half of his book is less analysis than personal agenda), Evangelical Catholicism is here to stay.
August 6, 2014
An excellent and positive look back at where the Catholic Church has been and how that has landed us where we are now. His vision for leading the Church into the future is faithful, orthodox, grounded in history but unafraid to move forward. It reads like a manifesto or a prophecy. This is the Catholic Church that will change the world by proclaiming the life altering relationship with Jesus Christ that the world so desperately needs. Now, if only every Catholic could read this book and help this vision become reality.
August 23, 2014
Many insightful thoughts on how the Church needs to move to provide a new, meaningful "position" for, as Weigel calls, "post-moderninty". He talks about the Church and individual Catholics getting back to to two main "reasons for the Church" truth and mission. These two principals, Weigel suggests, should guide all that we as Church and individuals, do in moving the Church forward in the 21st century. [It's also amazing to realize that we are part of the beginning of this new 'movement' in the Church (or really of the Holy Spirit) in our own days!]
July 31, 2015
While I agreed with some of the things Weigel said in this book, he came off as being too harsh. For example, while I agree that the older songs were better than the new songs I often hear in church, which sound like they belong on some Andrew Weber CD, I would not say that this had led to people leaving the church. I honestly do not think that I enjoy Weigel’s writings. I know some people praise him, but I do not put down a Weigel book feeling like I have grown in my faith. I feel like I just read a rant.
January 31, 2016
Many insightful thoughts on how the Church needs to move to provide a new, meaningful "position" for, as Weigel calls, "post-moderninty". He talks about the Church and individual Catholics getting back to to two main "reasons for the Church" truth and mission. These two principals, Weigel suggests, should guide all that we as Church and individuals, do in moving the Church forward in the 21st century. [It's also amazing to realize that we are part of the beginning of this new 'movement' in the Church (or really of the Holy Spirit) in our own days!]
January 12, 2014
One of the most important books I read in 2013. It shows a new way forward not only for Catholicism, but for all churches who are committed to orthodoxy and the proclamation of the gospel. As a non-Catholic, I found the back half of the book to not be terribly practical for my situation, but his overall point is excellent and is written with Weigel's unique intelligence and wit. Highly recommended.
October 27, 2015
Fantastic overview of the state of the Catholic Church in America, and an important call for Catholic renewal -- which, by the way, you could also get a fresh vision of by simply reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and some of the important encyclicals in the 20th and 21st century that Few people ever read but should!: Dei Verbum, Veritatis Splendor, Deus Caritas Est, and most recently: Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).
July 31, 2016
Polar opposites with Girardian / Alisonian / Rohrian thinking. Deep reform for the catholics is to discover themselves as penitent former persecutors and that everything now belongs, not just the evangelical ones. In this sense there is far more important theological reasons for the priest to face the congregation than away from it. So sad to see how dualistic thinking has reached its zenith in this book.
August 19, 2013
Refreshing. George Weigel is upfront about the problems facing the Church and offers some ideas of how to fix them. He doesn't try to contradict the authority of Church leaders, but rather offers well-informed opinions based on years of experience. I like this book because it has a note of just anger without being rant-y.
June 14, 2015
I think his prescriptions for the next reform of the Church, but felt like he didn't really prove their efficacy just more taking it for granted they would improve things. (I do believe they will, but he didn't close the case.) Other than that, a well-written and thought-out book whose advice should be heeded.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews