Christus Vincit: Christ's Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age

by Athanasius Schneider, Diane Montagna

In this absorbing interview, Bishop Athanasius Schneider offers a candid, incisive examination of controversies raging in the Church and the most pressing issues of our times, providing clarity and hope for beleaguered Catholics. He addresses such topics as widespread doctrinal confusion, the limits of papal authority, the documents of Vatican II, the Society of St. Pius X, anti-Christian ideologies and political threats, the third secret of Fatima, the traditional Roman rite, and the Amazon Synod, among many others. Like his fourth-century patron, St. Athanasius the Great, Bishop Schneider says things that others won’t, fearlessly following St. Paul’s advice: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). His insights into the challenges facing Christ’s flock today are essential reading for those who are, or wish to be, alert to the signs of the times. Reminiscent of The Ratzinger Report of 1985, Christus Vincit will be a key point of reference for years to come.

“At this critical moment in the life of the Church we must reflect carefully on all that confronts us and discern what is true, good, and beautiful from what is evil. We cannot but be grateful to a faithful apostle such as Bishop Athanasius Schneider for his clear and courageous analysis of the state of the Church in our day. May this book assist all who read it in living their particular vocation with greater fidelity and zeal, for the glory of Almighty God and the salvation of souls.”—ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH

“No other bishop in recent memory has so tirelessly given of himself in the service of the truths of the Catholic Faith. In this wide-ranging interview, Bishop Schneider, through the account of his life and ministry and through his responses to the crucial questions of the day, gives powerful witness to his profound love of Our Lord and of His Mystical Body, the Church. This book will be of great help to the faithful, and to all people of good will, in navigating the grave confusion, division, and error prevalent in our times. It reveals the heart of a true shepherd of souls, after the Heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd.”—RAYMOND LEO CARDINAL BURKE

“St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (‘the Little Flower’) said that humility is courage for the truth, and courage to serve. Bishop Schneider is a humble and heroic witness to the truth, and a courageous servant. His love for Christ and the Church is strong and deep and heartfelt, like St. Paul’s (Gal. 2:11–20). To the various questions regarding the crises we face (relativism, secularism, modernism, indifferentism), he responds as a faithful pastor and a perspicacious theologian. I found myself inspired and challenged.”—SCOTT HAHN

“A product of the persecuted Church in the Soviet Union, Bishop Athanasius Schneider powerfully appeals in this interview for a return to the classical doctrine, worship, and devotion of the Roman Church. Not all readers will agree with everything in his analyses, but they will find it difficult to dissent from his fundamental perception: the Church requires a radical re-supernaturalization that will save it from internal secularization, free it from the domination of all-too-human agendas, and inspire it with new ardor for its divinizing mission.”—FR. AIDAN NICHOLS, O.P.

“Reading this wide-ranging interview with one of the most outstanding bishops in the Church today is an experience of profound joy and gratitude. Bishop Schneider explains and defends Catholic truth with deep insight and total conviction.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Theology, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality, Nonfiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2019

About the author

Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C. is a Catholic prelate, serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of Astana in Kazakhstan. He is a member of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross of Coimbra. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A courageously honest, and in my opinion basically accurate, critique of the modern (post-1960s) Catholic Church.

Some of the greatest problems the Church faces today are self-inflicted: lack of Eucharistic reverence in her reformed liturgical rites, lack of clarity and courage in her doctrinal & moral pronouncements, and a loss of her missionary zeal that stems from religious indifferentism.

A number of recent books have sought to address the current crisis in the Church, and I think it is dangerous to read too many of them as it can lead to discouragement and bitterness. For my own part, I was grateful for Bishop Schneider’s candor, and charity, and especially his deep conviction that although we may be experiencing one of the most severe challenges that the Church has ever faced, Jesus Christ will be victorious.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only on chapter 6, but 5++++++++++++ stars..... and more. Clarity. Grace. May God continue to bless this man. Grateful.

[Sam Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard-hitting Clarity in a Confused Time

Bishop Schneider lays out the Catholic faith truthfully and clearly in his excellent book. I highly recommend him because he is a bishop who takes his office seriously and calls others to the same.

[Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be mandatory reading... for everyone.

[Bethany Konopelski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
This is the one must read for every faithful catholic today.
I have read many books explaining the many errors and troubles the Church is in, but this one is the most nuanced and positive, while not denying the real problems.
Schneider gives a beautiful witness to love for our faith.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserves dozens of stars. Should be required reading for all Catholics, most especially episcopate and clergy, after the Catechism (Trent, Baltimore, and most recent). With the current state of heresy and apathy and immorality and clericalism, etc infecting the Holy Mother Church from within, Bishop Schneider (in interview format) provides clear teaching, explanation, and a hopeful path forward in concrete action always through Him, in Him, and with Him under the protection of His most Blessed Mother and all of the Angels.

Please read this book. Please.

[William Kimball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read; if I could I would give it a 4.5. My only reservation is regarding his treatment of the Novus Ordo. He is very hesitant to condemn it in itself. But perhaps he will change his mind in this. He has changed his mind about Archbishop Lefebvre of late, saying that his arguments need to be revisited. Perhaps his attitude towards the N.O. will change in time as well.

[John Dembowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing and hopeful, this is a must read for anyone worried about the current state of the Church. It's hard to believe that at the time of writing this review, the book hasn't been out for over a month yet. Bishop Schneider writes a clear diagnosis of the problems the Church is currently experiencing and comments on a myriad of topics, offering a true Catholic approach - something seldom seen in the past 60 years. I can't accentuate enough how refreshing the clarity and directness of his responses are. Too many leaders in the Church today have diluted the faith, and those poisonous fruits show in the hemmoraging of people from the Church and, of those that remain, a disbelief in the basic teachings of Christ.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bishop Schneider is always a voice of reason and a very holy and faithful man. He has explained in great detail all the things that have been lost due to those, who in my opinion, are not holy nor faithful. Great change is needed in the Church and we, the laity can start with our prayers and our demanding from our Bishops a return to truth and a turning from the world and turning back to God.

This is a great read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every catholic should read it!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the current state of the Church and world. I also enjoyed reading about Bishop Schneider's childhood and how they were able to remain Catholic under Soviet rule.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceedingly and refreshingly clear teachings, framed by lines of the Book of the Apocalypse. I really enjoyed the parts about Bp Schneider's youth and Catholicism behind the Iron Curtain (and the lessons it contains for us today); the views and teachings about the world's various religions; Vatican II; the SSPX; the liturgy; advice for families; the Holy Angels; and the "Third Secret" of Fatima.

Oh dear. I just listed half the book. It's really good.

[Chris Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and interview with Bishop Schneider!!! Chapter 14 was my favourite on The Eucharist and Holy Communion. It is a very fitting book for this time and the crisis in the Catholic Church. I highly recommend this to anyone who is struggling with the confusion coming from the Vatican. Bishop Schneider is brilliant in dissecting the problems facing the Catholic Church and how to solve them.

[Leila Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book containing much wisdom. However, I don't go in for Masonic conspiracy theories, and it spoiled what might've otherwise been a 5 star book.

[Elisapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Catholic should be reading this

[Karol Darmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nietuzinkowy wywiad z nietuzinkową postacią, jaką niewątpliwie jest bp Athanasius. Polecam każdemu, kto czuje, że potrzeba nam takiego spojrzenia na Kościół, które sięga do źródeł Jego tożsamości.

[Arthur Lammers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book; exudes a deep trust and conviction for the will of God. Would recommend to anyone

[Charles Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found parts of this book interesting but then it completely put me off. I respect Bishop Schneider and his family for having emerged from a communist state with their Catholic faith unblemished. But they he goes into these diatribes about Freemasonry. He seems steeped in conspiracy theories which frankly I loathe. He sees the Freemason but all the ills of society - much like the Nazis and others saw the Jews in that role. The book is a Q&A format. At one point the interviewer asks him how he knows this about the Freemasons. To which he answers: there are documents and he's seen a few. Documents? He also has a very weird idea that the fall of communism may be just an illusion and that it was set-up for a new and worse kind of communism. Why he just doesn't blame secularism is beyond me. As for conspiracy theories, they have led to the murder of three million Ukrainian, six million Jews, hundreds of thousand of Tutsis. As well as Mao's paranoia that led to the death of 10 million Chinese. I found this book depressing and dark.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me quite a while to get through and deals with a lot of heavy topics in the form of a series of interviews. Despite this, Bishop Schnieder speaks with incredible clarity and humility.

Definitely worth the time it took to read and a much needed book in our crisis-torn church. What struck me the most were his personal stories from growing up behind the Iron Curtain and his grandparents' incredible witness to the faith in the face of such persecution and with so little access to the Sacraments/Mass. He also had some really rich insights in the Eucharist/Holy Communion chapter that made me stop and reread several times in wonder. If nothing else, every Catholic should read that one chapter :) Through all the darkness, overall a strong message of clarity and hope.

[CasLim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beyond my expectations. It revealed the errors of the church including mine, on the reception of the Holy Communion. How he clearly explained why the Holy Communion must be kneeling on the tongue with reverence and trust like a child eating food directly from the parents in a trusting manner, speaks volumes. The history of the church and how Vatican II had destroyed the true beauty of THE traditional Catholic mass with a fake watered down Novus Ordo "new" mass is really an eye-opener for all Catholics old and new. A catechisis of its own in one truly remarkable book that should be promoted in a world where heresies abound.

[Mary L. Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful! Brought up topics I had noted, but never really explored. Plan to re-read it!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should send a copy to their Bishop.

[Mike Kaminski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

Relevant book for our times and well written.
I really hope more young people will read it. Reform of the reform is the only way!

[Rico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Clear, direct statements about the state of the Catholic Church and what one can and should do at all levels.

[Carlos Carrasco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha parecido una obra diseñada con un fin en particular: crear un megáfono para que las ideas, que no siempre son desatinadas, del obispo Athanasius Schneider lleguen a un público más amplio. A diferencia de las obras del Cardenal Sarah, Christus Vincit me parece una obra que busca confrontar al Santo Padre. Me parece bastante severo en sus juicios contra el Papa Francisco, pretendiendo saber las intenciones más profundas del Papa. Se habla mucho de ortodoxia católica, lo cual me parece perfecto, pero habla poco de la caridad, que a mi gusto puede desembocar en un cierto fariseísmo. Sin romper abiertamente con el sucesor de Pedro, juzga negativamente cada decisión del Papa. A mi parecer, el obispo Schneider confunde lo que son los dogmas de fe con asuntos que comportan materia opinable. En temas de doctrina creo que las palabras del obispo Schneider pueden dar mucha luz, pero en materia opinable, es decir, aquello que no es dogma de fe, es muy severo, inclusive tirando a la tiranía ideológica, pretendiendo ser el auténtico depósito de la verdad.

[Emily Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous book, well written, extremely helpful during this age of confusion. I was initially only borrowing this book but ended up buying it to keep as a reference. Bishop Athanasius Schneider hits on many topics -- secularism, Islam and the dechristianization of Europe, freemasonry, religious indifference, vatican II, papal authority, SSPX, the centrality of the Eucharist, the need for a 'reform of he reform', the role of the holy angels in the life of the church, counsel to the faithful, and many more. The first 50 pages or so are mostly about the bishop's life. The book ends with a declaration of truths written in May 2019 by three bishops and two cardinals. I highly recommend this book -- but make sure you are guarding your heart and mind from despair while reading about these difficulties. Remember: Christ Conquers.

[Elkaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I choose this book for my spiritual reading over the last few weeks, and really enjoyed it. I had to read just a chapter at a time, often needing time to reflect on the chapter. I was so gland that Shneider confirmed many of the things that are linked to the tragedies of modern society and its horrific influence on Western Civilization and the Catholic Church, that I have come across in my own studies that are related to the Masonic plan of destroying the Catholic Church from within. But, this Bishop to whom was born under communism giving Hope to the members of the Catholic Church, that things may seem a little deem at present. But, if we remain in our Faith, Jesus and his Mother Mary, will lead us to our Salvation.

I am sure this book will be placed into every Catholic Library in the future.

[John Ray Catingub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part autobiography, part commentary on the state of the Church and world, this interview from Bishop Schneider is a must-read for Catholics looking to understand how we got to where we are in the Church and what we can do in our own lives to help restore our practices of faith and renew the life of the Church.

[Tyler Snook · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that provides inspiration, hope, and clarity to the Church's "little ones", the true treasures of the Church who with simplicity, charity, and zeal hold fast to the teachings and traditions of the true faith. Bishop Schneider covers much ground addressing the modern errors of the age.

[Steven Untalan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for Catholics who want to learn of their faith more deeply, understand true piety towards Jesus, and comprehend some complex issues facing the Roman Catholic Church.

Bishop Schneider is a very intelligent and articulate man and his example is inspiring. Highly recommended for those serious about their faith journey!👏🏽