Phoenix from the Ashes: The Making, Unmaking, and Restoration of Catholic Tradition

by H.J.A. Sire

Phoenix from the Ashes is a comprehensive look at the state of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council--one of a series of recurrent periods of moral and intellectual crisis to which it has succumbed in its history. A chapter on the Council describes in detail how Pope Paul VI diverted it by placing it under the exclusive control of European liberals. An equally close study is devoted to the liturgical "reform" entrusted by the same pope to a group of radicals whose work undermined the spiritual and devotional legacy of the faithful. The loss of orthodox teaching and the disorientation following upon these changes produced a grave crisis in both clergy and laity, but the movement of return to tradition visible today promises a revival of the full Catholic life of the Church. Catholic readers now have a complete and eminently accessible account of the last 50 years of momentous changes in the Church, right up to the pontificates of Benedict XVI and Francis I.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Christianity, History

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2016

About the author

Henry Sire (H. J. A. Sire) is an author and historian. Sire was born in 1949 in Barcelona to a family of French ancestry. He was educated in England at the Jesuits' centuries-old Stonyhurst College and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he gained an honors degree in Modern History. He is the author of six books on Catholic history and biography, including one on the famous English Jesuit, writer, and philosopher Father Martin D'Arcy, SJ.

Sire's book The Dictator Pope is the fruit of his four-year residence in Rome from 2013 to 2017. During that time he became personally acquainted with many figures in the Vatican, including Cardinals and Curial officials, together with journalists specializing in Vatican affairs.

Reviews

[Jovan Weismiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolutely Amazing Book!

I had expected a bland history of the Council. Instead, what I found was a well written, well documented, totally damning account, minutely describing the great damage done to the Body of Christ by that gathering of bishops. This is a must read for any Catholic serious about his Faith and who wants to help restore sanity to our Holy Mother Church!

[Emily Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the most interesting, thought-provoking Catholic history book I have ever read. Its theme, in a nutshell, is that the Church is troubled by many and varied ideologies, events, and trends throughout history, but the worst conundrums often work themselves out in a way that no one can foresee, sometimes quite suddenly. (That is why this book as the unusual title that it does.)

This book has two parts. The first 40 percent of the book is about Church history from the early Church until 1960. From the start it was clear that this was not the typical overview of Church history one usually finds; rather, it focused on examination and analysis of time periods that relate to modern times, either for reasons of turbulence, or the lack thereof. Far from being review for me, it was unique and thought-provoking analysis. Sire does write as a man of Faith, but he doesn't try to whitewash difficulties, but examines them in detail. Every few pages contained fresh insights or considerations I had never thought of before. (Because of this, a reader should be familiar with basic Church history before reading this book. It expects you know the general events already.)

The next 60% are about the lead-up to Vatican II, the Council itself, and its aftermath. This is also brilliant and interesting historical analysis. His analysis and criticism are careful, direct and (I think) usually accurate. They are also just plain interesting. He wants to really dig into what happened, not give facile party lines. Sometimes this leads him to render judgment on people and their decisions, but sometimes he gives mitigating factors based on their motivations or points of view at the time.

I have two criticisms of the book. First, I wish that he footnoted more. There are footnotes, but they are certainly not exhaustive, and I would have loved to consult his sources to learn more.
He is also, very occasionally, overly hyperbolic. There are a few sentences where his usually reserved and witty British delivery turn into exaggerations. This is extremely rare, though, and I only remember this in the section about the Vatican II document on the priesthood. I think his criticisms on the topic are valid, but the conclusions he reaches go a little too far.

I highly recommend this book. Even when I didn't agree or wasn't convinced by what Sire was saying, the book gave me new ideas and perspectives to consider. It provides superb context for what we are going on in the Church right now, and is also compelling in it own right.

[Sam Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

This book lays out in well researched historical detail the history of various heresies and reforms to the present. A particular emphasis is placed on the liturgical movement and Second Vatican Council. Sire takes a Lefebvrian critique to the Council and the Novus Ordo, but he uses a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer. This book is ironically a precursor to his later Dictator Pope, and it shows because this book written in 2015 has a "jury is still out" verdict on Francis while subsequent events led him to write Dictator Pope, which definitely is critical of Francis. This trajectory fits with my own assessment of Francis. Through 2015, I defended him. After the Synod on the Family and Amoris Laetitiae, I could no longer defend him. Sire's books give intellectual and historical grounding to my own assessment of Church history and affairs.

[Matthew Livermore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Catholics wishing to understand the larger context of the crisis in the Church.

[Thomas F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required Reading. An ingenious author

Henry Sire's magisterial work on the decline of the Roman Catholic Church in the 20th and 21st centuries informs on many levels. It is a subtle and detailed history of the modern era, but it also weaves hundreds of pages of erudite treatment of ancient and medieval church and secular history.

For myself, even as a 70 YO cradle Catholic, I can attest that this book has given me insights into the faith and the liturgy to which I had no previous exposure.

Highest recommendation.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overview of "Why Traditionalism?"

One of the most comprehensive analyses of the status of the church. A must read for anyone looking for clarity on the future of Catholicism.