Bad Shepherds: The Dark Years in Which the Faithful Thrived While Bishops Did the Devil's Work

by Rod Bennett

Shocked to find corruption widespread in the ranks of their shepherds today, too many good Catholics are tempted to leave the Church, unaware that ever since the days when Jesus’ own treasurer, Judas Iscariot, had his hand in the till, the Good Shepherd and His faithful followers have regularly been betrayed by bad shepherds.

In these eye-opening pages, Church historian Rod Bennett introduces a number of those bad shepherds, including Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, who regularly sold out the Church to the Roman emperor; Pope Stephen VII, who so hated his late predecessor that he had him dug up, put on trial, and flung into the Tiber; Benedict IX, who bought and sold the papacy (twice!); and Pope John XII, whose debauchery rivaled that of the corrupt emperor Caligula.

Those were very bad shepherds indeed, but while they did the Devil’s work, good Catholics not only survived — they thrived. They outlasted their bad shepherds, preserved in their ranks the Faith of our fathers, and served in each instance as the foundation for a cleansing of the House of God and a vigorous renewal of the Faith.

These enlightening pages demonstrate that it can happen again!

Genres: Catholic, Religion, History, Christianity, Audiobook

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2018

About the author

My first published writing appeared when I was 15 years old in the pages of the legendary Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. Since then, I've been featured in other national publications, ranging from Rutherford and Gadfly to Catholic Exchange and Our Sunday Visitor. I spoke on film and television topics for 10 years at Jesus People USA's Cornerstone Rock Festival, leading seminars on the cinema of Frank Capra, John Ford, and the Star Wars films of George Lucas. In 2006 I was invited by the Archbishop of Pittsburgh to address more than 300 teachers on the role pop culture can play in the religious education of teenagers. Recently, I've had the chance to discuss my work on radio and television programs such as The Journey Home and Bookmark. My first book, Four Witnesses The Early Church in Her Own Words , including an account of my conversion to the Catholic Faith in 1996, is a best seller from Ignatius Press.

Reviews

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite being Lutheran myself, I often enjoy reading historical texts written through the lens of Catholicism. I am deeply fascinated by the early formation of the church and how it has evolved over the last 2000 years. However, the snarkiness here is bordering on ridiculous and I’m throwing in the towel. I don’t expect Catholics to love Martin Luther, but the continuous juvenile digs are just that, juvenile. This line on page 81, was the end for me: “Martin Luther, God help him, probably suffered from mental health problems…“ Right, he obviously had to be crazy to take on the abuses that were rampant in the church. What a bunch of garbage.

[Mel (Reviews In A Pinch) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was easily 3/5 for the book itself. It was interesting reading the church history from a religious person’s perspective. I do still prefer the historian’s perspective but I think it’s important to regularly branch out. That’s how we learn in the end.

The preachy afterword is what knocked this down to 2/5; I considered going as low as 1/5. I have little to no patience for those who believe their beliefs and opinions are the be all end all and feel they can preach with a holier than thou attitude. Perhaps that’s not how the author intended the afterword to be read but reading is not objective. It is and always will be subjective.

I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you want to read this from a pro-catholic perspective. It’s not a bad book, but like I said I do prefer the historian’s perspective.

[Jonathan Orso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

Wonderfully written! Very educational and inspirational to fight back against the evil that continues to attack OUR Church. It very simply reminds the reader of the Church's past and how WE the laity, the faithful, the Church's support network has always guided the Church of our fathers' back into the light and on steady, straight paths.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to some of the worst popes in history. In spite of them, the Church has always continued on, as Jesus Christ is the head. It is obvious from reading this that if She were not of God, She would have disappeared a very long time ago. The laity remain and at times (like now) keep the light burning. She will go on. A good read.

[Matthew P. McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read

The best explanation of Arianism I have ever read. Mr. Bennett knows his history and it is incumbent on every Catholic to know theirs. This book is an excellent resource toward that end.

[Surisaray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a cradle Catholic, I did have some knowledge and understanding of the existence of bad popes , but I was clearly sheltered, this is an eye opener, it is painful to read, This book gave me a rough history lesson on our Church, but also on how cruel in general people can be.

[Timothy Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past few years, I suspect many Catholics have felt, "How could it be this bad?" Untrustworthy and cowardly bishops seem to be the norm, not the exception. For the first time in my lifetime orthodox Catholics are expressing real doubts and concerns about the Holy Father's ability to lead, and even his motivations. These are the darkest times the Church has ever seen...

Not so.

Rod Bennet's "Bad Shepherds" puts the current ecclesial crisis in context. Yes, there are cowardly clerics , but it doesn't compare to "constitutional priests" who abandoned the faith before the French Revolution for political expediency. Pope Francis might not be as well received as St. John Paul the Great, but he isn't conniving to have an illegitimate son be his successor. Bishops might not be courageous enough to speak up, but it doesn't compare to the Arian crisis, when more bishops were heretics than Catholic. The Church survived all these crises, why not one more?

The underlying theme of this book isn't "It's been bad, so we'll get through this, too." Rather, the author notes that the laity have always been the bulwark of the faith when the hierarchy failed in its duty.

Recommended for: Shaken Catholics, fans of popularized history.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole point of this book is to show how, when the clergy went rogue, the laity stepped up and preserved the Church. This book is ultimately all about hope in our present circumstances. The Book covers five periods in history where the clergy could have doomed the Church's future, but failed. Putting these events in their proper historical perspective adds a deeper dimension to the events as studied in secular schools.

[Carl Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Catholic History of its dark times

Rod Bennett puts forth and amazing history of the Catholic Church and its dark past. He shows a church that despite evil within its hierachy survives. It survives only due to its laity. The faithful followers of the Catholic Church through Jesus Christ as its savior saved it. And despite its recent scandal it will continue to survive. A must read by all Christians.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical account of the bad shepherds of the church which call to mind that which is going on now. Despite these bad shepherds, the church's people have stood firmly in their belief of the Gospel as we should also now.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! I loved learning about the history of the Church, even when it was in its darkest hours.