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Diabolical: How Pope Francis Has Betrayed Clerical Abuse Victims Like Me—and Why He Has To Go

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From the bestselling author of The Trial of Roger Stone MILO YIANNOPOULOS HAS EXPERIENCED THE MORAL DECAY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FIRST-HAND. NOW HE WANTS TO FIX IT—STARTING WITH POPE FRANCIS. Who is the real Pope Francis? And can the Church survive him? Milo Yiannopoulos traces the origins of the Church’s descent into sin and shame, pointing the finger at left-wing reformers, trendy progressive bishops, gay clergy, and ultimately, Francis himself. In DIABOLICAL, Milo Yiannopoulos levels his critical eye and legendarily caustic wit at the Catholic Church, an institution he reveres but which, under the leadership of a “Lavender Mafia” of left-wing gay bishops, has become shambolic and depraved. Yes, there really is a gay mafia. And yes, their outfits are fabulous. The Catholic Church hasn’t had a crisis like this since the Reformation. It won’t survive unless it learns how to talk to men again, sets aside transitory political nostrums like environmentalism and identity politics, and gets back to worshiping Almighty God.

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2018

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217 people want to read

About the author

Milo Yiannopoulos

24 books314 followers
Milo Yiannopoulos (born on 18 October 1984)is a British journalist, author, entrepreneur, public speaker, and former senior editor for Breitbart News. He wrote previously using the pseudonym Milo Andreas Wagner.

Yiannopoulos founded The Kernel, an online tabloid magazine about technology, which he sold to Daily Dot Media in 2014. He wrote about the Gamergate controversy. As a self-proclaimed "cultural libertarian" and "free speech fundamentalist", he is a vocal critic of fourth-wave feminism, Islam, social justice, political correctness, and other movements and ideologies he deems authoritarian or belonging to the "regressive left". Yiannopoulos considers himself a reporter of and "occasional fellow traveller" with the alt-right movement. He was permanently banned from Twitter in July 2016 for what the company cited as "inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others". He resigned from Breitbart after a video of him allegedly defending sexual relationships between boys as young as 13 and gay men in their 20s resurfaced

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Hugo Gomez.
101 reviews
March 19, 2019
The cheeky bastard

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the cry of reform would come from one of the gayest people on the planet. Least did I expect such righteous indignation out of the mouth of one of the most scandalous mouthed icons of today, and in the most bi-polar and off handed way. Speaking like a yoked prophet and bare footed saint in one moment, only to lean sideways to make the slave girls blush in the next.

As a father and no stranger to rough roads, I much prefer a heavy word these days, to a light one. That is until The Lord obliges me, and gives me more than I can stomach. Alas, that's not the road he wants me on. He calls, and many of us say, Not yet. Not yet. Only to receive everything you thought you might miss, and then some. Life is strange like that, but the road can become clearer after then too. Let's see where you end up next. I'll be there.
Profile Image for joan.
151 reviews15 followers
March 14, 2020
More of a fat pamphlet than a full book, but I think that's OK: this the written equivalent of a 3 hour Rogan podcast, fuller than a regular article but still immediate, dealing with unfolding events.
Milo has spent the year peering beyond what I agree has been a lot of throat-clearing about how many bad ideas have got current, and about how free speech is vital, about what is false, and so on. Beyond that to ask, what is true, what is civilisation.
I'm not able to tell if his argument rests on cherrypicked data points, but he takes aim at what he considers the base of the fire: spiritual rot and cowardice in what used to be our greatest spiritual guide, the Church of Rome. And gives it a thorough hosing down.
But beyond this is the question, how do you maintain institutions across the generations without drifting into corruption, cynicism, etc. How do you keep a mature form youthful? Making the church great again is one thing, but keeping it great is quite another.
Anyhow, at 4 quid it's easily worth a read.
Profile Image for Marie.
96 reviews
November 10, 2018
Longer review to come

Well researched, insightful, surprising and educational. Also, lots of citations, which I appreciate. My only quibble is that it’s short, but I can’t argue with the price. Now I just need to read Despicable.
Profile Image for Jaime.
49 reviews18 followers
October 28, 2019
De una potencia intelectual insospechada.
Profile Image for Christopher Selmek.
240 reviews5 followers
March 14, 2019
Milo Yiannopoulos is a devoted Catholic. He grew up in the church and continues to honor it despite what he sees as a crisis at the highest levels of the administration. This is not information you will find easily accessible, but Milo assembles a lot of the pieces together with helpful weblink notations so you can check on his facts.

It is commendable that Milo wants to save the church, rather than advocate for its destruction. An appendix goes into more detail about the gifts Catholicism has brought to Western Civilization and the world, but his love for the church is evident in his writing. The priests and bishops who commit abuses, and the archbishops who cover up for them, threaten to erase what is a fundamentally worthwhile institution, and Milo points the finger directly at Pope Francis for allowing it to continue.

Milo admits that his own lifestyle is not 100% Catholic approved, and I can understand why some people don't like his provocative style. He does mention how he was smeared by leftists for talking about his own abuse within the church - and going into detail about his own experience is important to the story - but this book seems to have been written by a more mature Milo who sticks to the topic better than he did in "Dangerous". Much of what he points out reflects thoughts that I have had while seeking to enter the church, and I feel any Catholic who is tired of avoiding uncomfortable topics would be well advised to give this book a read.
Profile Image for Darjeeling.
351 reviews41 followers
March 4, 2022
I take everything Milo says with a pinch of salt, but he makes some interesting points, and says things that I don't hear anybody else saying, so I find it worthwhile to read his books just to get myself out of my own little echo chamber a bit.
Profile Image for Silvia.
1,217 reviews
January 2, 2019
Diabolical sets the tone of a Church that’s rightly paying the price for its sinister deeds which are many but most blatantly includes covering up the evil of child sexual abuse that brewed within it’s holy sanctuaries. Under the precarious leadership of a Pope who’s more interested in pushing a leftist agenda than in the salvation of souls we get a Church badly in need of a transformation. Perhaps another Great Reformation is in order. How much did Pope Francis know and when did he know it and how much support and coverup did he receive from his inner circle of cardinals and bishops? The answers aren’t pretty, in fact they’re quite Diabolical.

Abounding with a plethora of facts which are supported with an abundance of footnotes, Milo occasionally breaks up the seriousness with his dry British wit and sarcasm. I needed it to get me through to the the last page. Upon closing the book I made it out battered and bruised by a Church I once loved. And as I contemplate about what was written what stands out to me above all else is Milo’s love of God and, surprisingly, for the Church and his desire to see the Church reclaim it’s place as the one true faith as he calls on the flock to hold the Church leaders accountable. He gives his opinion on how this might happen but I ask, is it too late? With the man Francis most likely remaining at the head of the Church for several more years, in my not so humble opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. But as a believer I also have to reclaim my faith that with God, all things are possible. I pray, “God renew my faith and feed my spirit with Your wisdom”.

This is Milo at his best. Thank You God for Milo.
Profile Image for The Sandstress.
79 reviews
February 3, 2019
Excellent as usual

I can honestly say that Milo has got to be one of the bravest people in the public eye. I am glad that he wrote this and that Amazon allowed it to be purchased. I look forward to seeing what he does in the future. I'm not Catholic but I am painfully aware of what has gone on in the church. I always say that whether Protestant or Catholic, we are poor representatives of Christ and pray that if we turn our eyes on Him we can begin to fight the good fight armed with the Good News and let the chips fall where they may. Persecution for His sake while in our fallen but forgiven state can be a sign that we are on the right path. Catholics have fought the battle for the unborn (the true innocents) pretty much alone in the U.S. thus, The Church, not those in power, but the Bride of Christ, the body of Christ have withstood the onslaught of the left and their ilk even with the weakening of their leaders from within the Vatican. We will keep the faith bravely and openly with all of our own individual frailties alongside other fellow believers even if we aren't quite as outspoken or as "Fabulous" as Milo. He's got guts and we need to be more like him, fearless.
388 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2018
Milo is a fascinating mess of contradictions. I assume he is still finding himself, after the chaos of his Breitbart exit, rumors of his deep debt, and rumors that his first book was ghost written. That said, I am finding Milo (in this book) wickedly funny, somewhat vulnerable, and not wrong about much. The first four chapters of this book are mostly provocative, but chapters 5 and 6 are worth the price of the book. I'd love to believe Milo read all the works he cited. If so, he's on his way to being an important philosopher for his time. I tend to give Milo credit, because he has apparently offended nearly everyone. How is that actually possible in this day and age? Only by being a truly independent voice, I believe. This book isn't for the kiddos, but I recommend it for mature readers who truly care about the intersections of race, religion, sexuality, gender roles and politics. I am looking forward to see who Milo pisses off next. Maybe it will be me. Who knows?
2 reviews
December 8, 2018
Diabolical:How Pope Francis Has Betrayed Clerical Abuse Victims Like Me

Interesting the point of view of Milo, however, his lack of theology and historical knowledge of the Catholic Church did not provide the whole picture of the reason of Vatican II and the motivation of such council. I agree with him 80 percent in regards to the bad response from the clergy when facing the sex scandal and the misinformation and silence is not justified.
Profile Image for Joy.
1,591 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2018
Mill's second book targets the Catholic church and its sex abuse scandals. Milo was abused by a priest as a boy which is described in chapter two. He has done research into the more recent scandals as well as looking at historical problems with priests. In the end, he concludes that Francis is a horrible Pope and needs to go. He also calls for a religious revival in America to stem a possible second civil war.
2 reviews
December 3, 2018
I found this book to be very informative

You are required to write a review with at least twenty words so I came up with this
I really enjoyed this book
Profile Image for Mike Morris.
20 reviews10 followers
December 5, 2018
Entertaining

Maybe not the most thorough or academic read for those trying to understand the scandals roiling the Catholic Church, but certainly the most entertaining.
Profile Image for Linda Edmonds Cerullo.
387 reviews
January 19, 2019
Milo Yiannopoulos is a mystery to me. While I enjoyed this book and agreed with its premise, I cannot for the life of me figure out why he remains in the Catholic Church. Obviously the Catholic Church is against gay marriage, yet Milo is married to a man. While not a Catholic, I was raised Evangelical Christian and the teaching of that denomination also believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, not because of any pope or church, but because it is forbidden in the Bible -- in both the Old and New Testaments. However, I cannot help but wonder why anyone who has decided to LIVE the gay lifestyle would remain in a church that preaches against it. Surely there are other denominations that may be more welcoming. Still, Milo clearly believes in the teachings of the RCC. Which is what makes this book so intriguing. I first came to know of Milo during the 2016 election where he was very vocal about his support for Donald Trump. I found myself in agreement with him on so many issues both spiritually and politically that I became a FB follower. As he makes clear in this book, he is a victim of priest abuse. He doesn't belabor the issue or even hype it, but it's clear he is very upset with the whole clerical abuse disaster. Without a doubt he is not a fan of Pope Francis and lays out his reasons quite well. He is also a believer in the Catholic teaching regarding sacraments and Holy Communion which leaves me wondering what he does when it comes time to partake. This book makes very strong points regarding how the country and the churches have sunken to an all time low. He lays forth ideas for what can be done to correct the damage. I wish he had included other Christian denominations who fully follow the Scriptures in his answers. He apparently believes the only answer lies in the RCC changing its ways and barely mentions other Bible-oriented churches and believers as also being instrumental in trying to live Biblical Truth. Many of his points are spot on, but regrettably Milo is a bit hypocritical in standing by these convictions while flagrantly living in a manner that contradicts RCC teaching. His praise of the RCC clearly leaves out the times the church has been a source of pain and terror for many people. He glosses over the many times in history the church has lead more people away from Real Truth than brought them to Truth. An interesting insight into someone who wants things both ways and has formed a sort of religion of his own under the umbrella of the RCC. But then it seems to me most of the members of the RCC do that. It's not called "cafeteria Catholicism" for nothing.
89 reviews
March 29, 2020
Less Milo, more complaining

Not bad, but not nearly as entertaining as all other Milo writings I have seen previously. Yes, there is the occasional chuckle about the fabulous attire of the bishops, but many pages of serious foot stomping in between. In terms of the balance between entertainment and persuasion, Milo is far on the side of persuasion with this book. Lots of evidence and arguing. Other Milo works are to me more about humorous provocation with an assumption that the reader agrees well enough, or perhaps that it doesn't matter. Milo is a 5 star to me, but this time his book isn't.
5 reviews35 followers
February 7, 2021
Essential Read: at times poignant always funny

I commend the author for being able to talk about such a dark topic in a way which is both sensitive and incredibly humorous so that readers can empathise and understand victims of sexual abuse whilst retaining a sense of hope and optimism that survivors can emerge from the ashes and take their rightful place in the world, fearless and invincible
Profile Image for Chan-joo Moon.
91 reviews
May 21, 2019
A pretty awesome case for Christianity and western civilization. Milo makes a call for revival in the church, for christians to walk the difficult path of devotion to God, and to fight to preserve the values of christianity which define western civilization. I don't know why a guy like Milo is talking about this, but it's a great read and he seems spot on.
Profile Image for Carbonel.
156 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2021
His best book

The puckish, bawdy voice has muted itself to good effect in this one. Mr. Yiannopoulos stands on the shoulders of giants and holds up a torch that both exposes corruption and the way out of it. Well done.
79 reviews
August 7, 2024
Diabolical

This was a SURPRISING book for me! As well as Disclosing there I corruptness of the Catholic church, starting with the pope and Vatican members, the author supplies the only solution for the saving of the West that was fought for, is a return to Christianity!! YAY!!!!
Profile Image for Konrad.
41 reviews
June 9, 2019
Most eloquent and best educated attack dog the Church has at the moment.
Profile Image for Katie Vaughan.
37 reviews
January 5, 2020
Mortifying and stomach churning. But, a must read for all Christians (Catholics and Protestants alike).
Profile Image for Arash Ahsani.
116 reviews
July 15, 2020
It would have been a great book if Milo understood the religion as Hayek understood it.
5 reviews
November 28, 2018
A timely book written by someone who loves God

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the truth about the Catholic Church. The author is a surprising advocate for the Church, in spite of the abuse he suffered there as a young man.This book is a call to revival and a return to the truth of Christ.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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