Sacred Silence: Denial and the Crisis in the Church

by Donald Cozzens

Sacred Silence  is a book about failed leadership in the Catholic Church. Donald Cozzens looks at various challenges and the scandal gripping the Church and offers an historical overview of our church leadership. He explains how the misplaced loyalties of those in leadership positions created the current crisis. Cozzens clarifies why bishops and church authorities think the way they do and why the ecclesiastical system might be the real villain in the abuse scandal. With compassion and understanding Cozzens answers the why of the present and past leadership failures and proposes a new direction. Chapters in  Part Masks of Denial  are "Sacred Silence," and "Forms of Denial." Chapters in  Part Faces of Denial  are "Sacred Oaths, Sacred Promises," "Voices of Women," "Religious Life and the Priesthood," "Abuse of Our Children," "Clerical Culture," "Gay Men in the Priesthood," and "Ministry and Leadership." The chapter in  Part Beyond Denial  is "Sacred Silence, Sacred Speech." Donald Cozzens, PhD, a priest and writer, is author of two award-winning titles,  Sacred Silence  and  The Changing Face of the Priesthood , and editor of  The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest , all published by Liturgical Press. He is writer in residence at John Carroll University where he teaches in the religious studies department.

Genres: Theology

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sharla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate Cozzen's diagnoses of the problems that caused and are caused by the Catholic sexual abuse crisis, but I was troubled by many of his prescriptive suggestions, as well as his analysis in a specific chapter.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Cozzens is candid and frank about the situation of the Catholic Church in the light of societal changes and the recent failures of the institution. In a genuine and heartfelt way, he faces the issues squarely and with compassion - well worth the read. It is clearly the work of much reflection and years of experience.