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The St. Gallen Mafia: Exposing the Secret Reformist Group Within the Church
In the mid-1990s, a clandestine group of high-ranking churchmen began gathering in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Opposed to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the circle plotted a revolution in stealth.
By 2015, their secret ached to be told. Before an audience, Cardinal Godfried Danneels joked of being a part of a "mafia." But as explosive as Danneels's confession was, a thick cloud of mystery still enshrouds the St. Gallen mafia.
In this compelling book, Julia Meloni pieces together the eerie trail of confessional evidence about the St. Gallen group. Copiously researched and grippingly narrated, The St. Gallen Mafia sheds light on the
By 2015, their secret ached to be told. Before an audience, Cardinal Godfried Danneels joked of being a part of a "mafia." But as explosive as Danneels's confession was, a thick cloud of mystery still enshrouds the St. Gallen mafia.
In this compelling book, Julia Meloni pieces together the eerie trail of confessional evidence about the St. Gallen group. Copiously researched and grippingly narrated, The St. Gallen Mafia sheds light on the
168 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 2021
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189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 31, 2022
I ironically finished this book the same day that Pope Benedict XVI passed away 12-31-22.
Reading the facts on what I had long suspected that darker, liberal forces were plotting within a small group of Cardinals and Bishops in the Catholic church to steer the Church away from Tradition and Morals, was a heavy read for my Traditional, conservative, devout Catholic heart.
These darker forces manifested themselves in the group known as the St Gallen Mafia. Ordained high ranking men, plotting to bring a liberal like minded Cardinal into the Seat of Peter. Men that highly disliked and disagreed with the holy and traditional Pope Benedict. These men's main goal was to shift the Church of Christ into the post modern era, praising homosexuality civil unions, ordination of married men and women, promoting contraception and even abortion. Elevating "climate change" before repentance and relationship with Jesus Christ. These are the men that have given the Catholic faith such lukewarmness and men that give Holy Communion to the likes of Pelosi and Biden and "cancel" holy priests that speak out against the corruption in the name of "Disobedience".
I want to highlight two quotes from the ending chapters:
" Pope Francis, as liberals once said of Barack Obama, is the one they have been waiting for. "
And
From Pope Benedict and Cardinal Robert Sarah's 2020 book... "Save us, Lord, for we are perishing!" "The Lord is asleep while the storm is unleashed. He seems to abandon us to the waves of doubt and error. We are tempted to lose confidence. On every side, the waves of relativism are submerging the barque of the Church."
Yes, Lord save us and Pope Benedict XVI pray for us and the Church that we may not be overcome by the storm.
Reading the facts on what I had long suspected that darker, liberal forces were plotting within a small group of Cardinals and Bishops in the Catholic church to steer the Church away from Tradition and Morals, was a heavy read for my Traditional, conservative, devout Catholic heart.
These darker forces manifested themselves in the group known as the St Gallen Mafia. Ordained high ranking men, plotting to bring a liberal like minded Cardinal into the Seat of Peter. Men that highly disliked and disagreed with the holy and traditional Pope Benedict. These men's main goal was to shift the Church of Christ into the post modern era, praising homosexuality civil unions, ordination of married men and women, promoting contraception and even abortion. Elevating "climate change" before repentance and relationship with Jesus Christ. These are the men that have given the Catholic faith such lukewarmness and men that give Holy Communion to the likes of Pelosi and Biden and "cancel" holy priests that speak out against the corruption in the name of "Disobedience".
I want to highlight two quotes from the ending chapters:
" Pope Francis, as liberals once said of Barack Obama, is the one they have been waiting for. "
And
From Pope Benedict and Cardinal Robert Sarah's 2020 book... "Save us, Lord, for we are perishing!" "The Lord is asleep while the storm is unleashed. He seems to abandon us to the waves of doubt and error. We are tempted to lose confidence. On every side, the waves of relativism are submerging the barque of the Church."
Yes, Lord save us and Pope Benedict XVI pray for us and the Church that we may not be overcome by the storm.
April 5, 2022
A group of like-minded church leaders met to discuss ideas. And Pope Francis was elected. The author argues that a secret “plot” links these facts. But the book ultimately seems to insinuate it, rather than arguing for it with clear evidence.
Throughout history like-minded individuals have got together to discuss ideas and to work to achieve preferred outcomes. There is nothing surprising in that, whether it be politicians or religious leaders. So, there is nothing necessarily bad in a group of “St Gallen” cardinals and bishops meeting and working together, unless the individuals have acted immorally in pursuing their ends.
Is there immorality? The author suggests that there is doctrinal heterodoxy, to the extent that the St Gallen group are in favour of communion for the divorced, female ordination (etc). But is there immorality in how the St Gallen group promotes, or works for those ends?
The book implies so. We hear that cardinals swear an oath to maintain secrecy about papal elections (Kindle loc. 210) yet St Gallens members may have betrayed their oath (433) by revealing details of the papal election. But, of course, information about the papal election has been leaked anonymously, so it is difficult to blame a specific person.
We hear much of “secret” meetings, like the one which happened after Pope John Paul II’s funeral (120). But, in what sense are meetings like that a “secret meeting,” as opposed to just a “private” meeting? Most business meetings are private, in the sense that strangers cannot just walk into them. But that doesn’t make them “secret.” The author seems to use the word “secret” to insinuate a pejorative negativity, but there is no explanation of what exactly the wrongness of the secrecy is meant to be.
We hear of people like Cardinal Silvestrini “plotting” for several years (503). At times the “plot thickens” (2704). Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor hints at possible changes to celibacy laws in the next papacy. The author tells us “whether he speaks out of optimism or plotting, he did not say” (2970). These uses of the word “plotting” imply wrongdoing, but again this looks more like journalistic insinuation, as there is no evidence or explanation of what constitutes a morally bad “plotting.”
There is an insinuation of dishonesty in that Cardinal Martini is alleged to have advised Pope Benedict to resign in 2013, by assuring him that a conservative would replace him, whilst he was working for a liberal to replace him. The author tells us that “we may never know for certain” whether this is so. If we can’t know whether claims like this are true, then why make the claim? Doing so just creates an impression of insinuation in the absence of evidence.
Pope Francis himself is portrayed as misrepresenting himself as an ultra-conservative, whilst he is just patiently working towards the opposite conclusion of liberalising the Church (3223). Really? How does the author know that Pope Francis was that devious? Couldn’t he have changed his mind? Once again analysis and argument is absent.
Apparently, the St Gallen Group got Pope Francis elected so that he could liberalise Church rules within four or seven years of his 2013 election (loc 3184). However, nine years later, there is no evidence that Pope Francis has in fact liberalised rules about celibacy, female priests, etc. Doesn’t that fact challenge the book’s claims?
The book tries to explain Pope Francis’s slow actions by alleging that Pope Francis is working patiently and subversively to change “praxis,” about issues like communion for the divorced, so that it becomes doctrinally inevitable in the future (2739).
Whether that is true or false, communion for the divorced marks a tiny proportion of what the St Gallen group was allegedly trying to achieve. So, if Pope Francis only seems to be working very slowly towards a small part of the St Gallen agenda, doesn’t this begin to suggest that perhaps the book is wrong. Perhaps Pope Francis is not a St Gallen agent after all?
Ultimately, the book’s claims of conspiracy do not seem to be supported by the facts. The book’s allegations also seem to rely upon insinuation, rather than evidence. This means that it is difficult for a reader to avoid the conclusion that this is just another conspiracy theory.
Throughout history like-minded individuals have got together to discuss ideas and to work to achieve preferred outcomes. There is nothing surprising in that, whether it be politicians or religious leaders. So, there is nothing necessarily bad in a group of “St Gallen” cardinals and bishops meeting and working together, unless the individuals have acted immorally in pursuing their ends.
Is there immorality? The author suggests that there is doctrinal heterodoxy, to the extent that the St Gallen group are in favour of communion for the divorced, female ordination (etc). But is there immorality in how the St Gallen group promotes, or works for those ends?
The book implies so. We hear that cardinals swear an oath to maintain secrecy about papal elections (Kindle loc. 210) yet St Gallens members may have betrayed their oath (433) by revealing details of the papal election. But, of course, information about the papal election has been leaked anonymously, so it is difficult to blame a specific person.
We hear much of “secret” meetings, like the one which happened after Pope John Paul II’s funeral (120). But, in what sense are meetings like that a “secret meeting,” as opposed to just a “private” meeting? Most business meetings are private, in the sense that strangers cannot just walk into them. But that doesn’t make them “secret.” The author seems to use the word “secret” to insinuate a pejorative negativity, but there is no explanation of what exactly the wrongness of the secrecy is meant to be.
We hear of people like Cardinal Silvestrini “plotting” for several years (503). At times the “plot thickens” (2704). Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor hints at possible changes to celibacy laws in the next papacy. The author tells us “whether he speaks out of optimism or plotting, he did not say” (2970). These uses of the word “plotting” imply wrongdoing, but again this looks more like journalistic insinuation, as there is no evidence or explanation of what constitutes a morally bad “plotting.”
There is an insinuation of dishonesty in that Cardinal Martini is alleged to have advised Pope Benedict to resign in 2013, by assuring him that a conservative would replace him, whilst he was working for a liberal to replace him. The author tells us that “we may never know for certain” whether this is so. If we can’t know whether claims like this are true, then why make the claim? Doing so just creates an impression of insinuation in the absence of evidence.
Pope Francis himself is portrayed as misrepresenting himself as an ultra-conservative, whilst he is just patiently working towards the opposite conclusion of liberalising the Church (3223). Really? How does the author know that Pope Francis was that devious? Couldn’t he have changed his mind? Once again analysis and argument is absent.
Apparently, the St Gallen Group got Pope Francis elected so that he could liberalise Church rules within four or seven years of his 2013 election (loc 3184). However, nine years later, there is no evidence that Pope Francis has in fact liberalised rules about celibacy, female priests, etc. Doesn’t that fact challenge the book’s claims?
The book tries to explain Pope Francis’s slow actions by alleging that Pope Francis is working patiently and subversively to change “praxis,” about issues like communion for the divorced, so that it becomes doctrinally inevitable in the future (2739).
Whether that is true or false, communion for the divorced marks a tiny proportion of what the St Gallen group was allegedly trying to achieve. So, if Pope Francis only seems to be working very slowly towards a small part of the St Gallen agenda, doesn’t this begin to suggest that perhaps the book is wrong. Perhaps Pope Francis is not a St Gallen agent after all?
Ultimately, the book’s claims of conspiracy do not seem to be supported by the facts. The book’s allegations also seem to rely upon insinuation, rather than evidence. This means that it is difficult for a reader to avoid the conclusion that this is just another conspiracy theory.
December 20, 2021
A well researched book that offers a deep insight into the “St. Gallen (self-declared) mafia”. Of particular eeriness is the fact that these liberal prelates advocated for ideas and positions which are now being openly promoted during the Francis pontificate, such as allowing communion for the divorced and civilly remarried & the ordination of married priests, as well as synodality. I could not put this book down.
June 8, 2022
After hearing so much about this book, I actually bought it and listened to it on Audible on my way to work. It is a realistic and historical background of what we are experiencing in the Catholic Church at this time which is undoubtedly one of the largest crises since we have faced since the time of the Medici popes. After having spent about one year studying the impact of the French Revolution on the Church as well as other factors leading up unto the Second Vatican Council, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand what has happened. All of this has lead of course through a group of men who gathered to turn over what we have understood for 2,000 years as Catholics. The resignation of Benedict XVI as well as the ushering in of Pope Francis. If you read this book as well as Infiltration by Taylor Marshall (both extremely well documented and not conjecture), you will be able to see the golden thread that has brought us to were we are today. As Jesus said in the Gospel of John, "by your fruits you will know them." We have a pontiff who declared while visiting the Middle East that "God wills a plurality of religions." Really? We have never believed this; the Great Commission, believing that in Christ exists the fullness of God's revelation and the fulness of that revelation exists in the Catholic Church, what happened with all of that? Like our Lord said so long ago to St. Augustine in the 4th century, "take and read."
October 30, 2023
Thoughts & Impressions
I find it interesting that Malachi Martin was considered a lying kook for making allegations of a mafia of cardinals trying to force a papal resignation and influence the election of the succeeding pope in his controversial book Windswept House. This book explains a lot about the pontificate of Francis and why he is so progressive. After all, modernism is the heretical movement that truth isn’t immutable. Modernists are moral relativists and are enemies of absolutes, religion, and tradition.
Memorable Quotes
The closing quote is my favorite: “But as Benedict announced his abdication on February 11, 2013 and the lightening struck St. Peter’s – twice, an acceleration of time occurred. Motion accelerates toward the end. Time passes more swiftly at a period’s close and we are living through an historical hour which is not necessarily the end of times but certainly the end of a civilization and the termination of an epic in the life of the Church. For a clock wound up with its inexorable ticking, the revolutionaries have to hurry. For some dreams like Martini’s are finally, as fleeting as lightening, destined to evanesce, while somewhere in the sistine chapel the Christ of the Last Judgement gazes on.”
I’d Recommend This To:
I’m not sure that I’d really recommend it; Probably only for the people who are well-versed in Church politics and have an interest in such.
I find it interesting that Malachi Martin was considered a lying kook for making allegations of a mafia of cardinals trying to force a papal resignation and influence the election of the succeeding pope in his controversial book Windswept House. This book explains a lot about the pontificate of Francis and why he is so progressive. After all, modernism is the heretical movement that truth isn’t immutable. Modernists are moral relativists and are enemies of absolutes, religion, and tradition.
Memorable Quotes
The closing quote is my favorite: “But as Benedict announced his abdication on February 11, 2013 and the lightening struck St. Peter’s – twice, an acceleration of time occurred. Motion accelerates toward the end. Time passes more swiftly at a period’s close and we are living through an historical hour which is not necessarily the end of times but certainly the end of a civilization and the termination of an epic in the life of the Church. For a clock wound up with its inexorable ticking, the revolutionaries have to hurry. For some dreams like Martini’s are finally, as fleeting as lightening, destined to evanesce, while somewhere in the sistine chapel the Christ of the Last Judgement gazes on.”
I’d Recommend This To:
I’m not sure that I’d really recommend it; Probably only for the people who are well-versed in Church politics and have an interest in such.
Read
April 6, 2025Disclaimer: read this one for research purposes
March 30, 2022
I could not finish this book.
May 1, 2023
Ms. Meloni takes public material on the main players in the St. Gallen mafia (a faction of liberal bishops and cardinals) and compartmentalizes it into pre and post Benedict / pre and post Francis. This book's style/organization was challenging for a "Joe sixpack in the pew" reader such as myself. Perhaps the mischief caused by the old boys in the Vatican playing their game of thrones doesn't lend itself to a clear storyline.
Though the style was challenging, the substance was good. Ms. Meloni exposes what the St. Gallen group has done and wants to do by exposing what they've already said and done. She doesn't peddle in conspiracy theories but footnotes her assertions. She puts it in a small package for those of us who don't follow Vatican politics.
This book will be a distressing read for those of us who want Christ's teachings to be respected. It would be nice if the palace intriguers in the Vatican concerned themselves with works of charity, the salvation of souls, and the Glory of God. Instead, there are those who appear to be bending the Church to conform to the zeitgeist, but we might as well face facts about what's happening.
I'm glad someone of Ms. Meloni's educational pedigree has taken the side she has and is willing to fight this battle.
p.s. I got this book from the public library via interlibrary loan. I've got too many books already! :)
Though the style was challenging, the substance was good. Ms. Meloni exposes what the St. Gallen group has done and wants to do by exposing what they've already said and done. She doesn't peddle in conspiracy theories but footnotes her assertions. She puts it in a small package for those of us who don't follow Vatican politics.
This book will be a distressing read for those of us who want Christ's teachings to be respected. It would be nice if the palace intriguers in the Vatican concerned themselves with works of charity, the salvation of souls, and the Glory of God. Instead, there are those who appear to be bending the Church to conform to the zeitgeist, but we might as well face facts about what's happening.
I'm glad someone of Ms. Meloni's educational pedigree has taken the side she has and is willing to fight this battle.
p.s. I got this book from the public library via interlibrary loan. I've got too many books already! :)
December 11, 2022
A little too much back and forth in the timeline for a five-star
This book has a plethora of footnotes and is well documented in all ways. I appreciate its thorough investigation of the topic at hand. I had a little bit of difficulty with the forward and back, forward and back, with conversations, references and different scenes in the lives of the main players of the mafia and in the Vatican. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to anyone who is interesting in delving deeper into politics that unfortunately infect the Church. What should be noted, is that this "situation" has been going on since the Church began. While it seems to be heightened because we are living through it, we should have a sure hope that the Church that Jesus Christ established will last till the end of time.
This book has a plethora of footnotes and is well documented in all ways. I appreciate its thorough investigation of the topic at hand. I had a little bit of difficulty with the forward and back, forward and back, with conversations, references and different scenes in the lives of the main players of the mafia and in the Vatican. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to anyone who is interesting in delving deeper into politics that unfortunately infect the Church. What should be noted, is that this "situation" has been going on since the Church began. While it seems to be heightened because we are living through it, we should have a sure hope that the Church that Jesus Christ established will last till the end of time.
June 18, 2022
A rigorously researched insight into the forces at work in the Church, forces that are bent on wafting the smoke of Satan into every corner of the Temple of God. This book is necessary for anyone doubting the reality of this sinister plot, for the longer the faithful remain in ignorance, the tighter the Enemy’s grasp becomes. In the end, Christ will emerge victorious—but books like these are invaluable reminders that, in the meantime, only prayer and penance will give us the strength to withstand this storm.
June 19, 2022
Well written account of the alleged conspiracy behind the power grab in Rome. The author Julia Meloni is a commentator on Lifesite News among other Catholic media. There is a preponderance of footnotes that are cited. Which in the initial chapters seemed too many. But later chapters, I did reference the notes closely.
A quick read, and informative. One never knows the real story in these big picture events. But on the surface this account of the ‘mafia’ seems to fit.
A quick read, and informative. One never knows the real story in these big picture events. But on the surface this account of the ‘mafia’ seems to fit.
February 14, 2024
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
To these people ,they may think that are in a just cause, but the truth is..... 'God'.
Our true God is Holy and Pure, He is not compatible with sin, He detests sin. Heaven is our home, but to be able to enter we need to wash clean our wedding garments, to be allowed in God's house and enjoy His loving and pure presence for all eternity.
To these people ,they may think that are in a just cause, but the truth is..... 'God'.
Our true God is Holy and Pure, He is not compatible with sin, He detests sin. Heaven is our home, but to be able to enter we need to wash clean our wedding garments, to be allowed in God's house and enjoy His loving and pure presence for all eternity.
November 24, 2021
A good, well-researched survey of the cabal at the highest levels of the Catholic hierarchy. They are the men who were responsible both for the election of Francis as pope in 2013, and the implementation of their reformist agenda . Less clear is the role they may (or may not) have played in the resignation of Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI.
January 11, 2022
The book is important for those who find themselves wondering what is going on with the Pope Francis papacy. This well researched book does an excellent job of explaining carefully how the St. Gallen Mafia (self- named) has been working over decades to destroy the Catholic Church as we know and love it.
September 26, 2022
I have long lamented Pope Francis and his cabal’s ability to sow division and confusion, but this excellent and meticulously researched book really clarified what a disaster his papacy has been. It seems he is and always has been hell bent on razing the Church to the ground. I miss the days when the pope just had a secret family or something. Brood of vipers, indeed.
December 23, 2021
Read this book...
It is well written, by someone who has been, for years, a fan of Pope Francis. This book has provided a good overview of the history and thought of the St. Gallen mafia. It’s heartbreaking and enlightening.
It is well written, by someone who has been, for years, a fan of Pope Francis. This book has provided a good overview of the history and thought of the St. Gallen mafia. It’s heartbreaking and enlightening.
February 13, 2022
Depressing
but ultimately, God is in charge.
I would have preferred, along with a recitation of facts, some indication of what the author thinks is right and wrong for the Church, and why.
but ultimately, God is in charge.
I would have preferred, along with a recitation of facts, some indication of what the author thinks is right and wrong for the Church, and why.
January 31, 2023
A sobering, meticulously researched, and concise account of how Pope Francis came to the papacy and his agenda. This book fills in a particular puzzle piece to what is currently happening in the world today and more specifically the Church. A must read.
November 10, 2023
Highly recommend to anyone puzzled by how a bunch of ultra-liberal, practically-banished set of bishops elected a pope who is out-of-touch with with the history and tradition of the Church and the majority of its members.
March 21, 2024
Essential reading for concerned Catholics
Well-researched and readable study of ecclesiastical masonry and its plan to destroy the Catholic Church, by attempting to change its moral teaching.
Well-researched and readable study of ecclesiastical masonry and its plan to destroy the Catholic Church, by attempting to change its moral teaching.
November 6, 2025
8/10 - A bit repetitive towards the end. Whilst I think the St Gallen group gets undue credit for all the reforms in the Curia, you cannot neglect the organised attack against traditional teaching from the Catholic Church.
December 10, 2021
Much contained in this book was already known, but there was enough new material and insight to be an intriguing read.
January 15, 2022
Very dark and deep subjects
February 4, 2022
Worthy of a read
Terrifying, but information that needs to be shared. What the faithful can do armed with this information, is certainly unknown, but prayer comes to mind.
Terrifying, but information that needs to be shared. What the faithful can do armed with this information, is certainly unknown, but prayer comes to mind.
February 9, 2022
Truly eye opening. Made me wish I had been paying more attention to the politics of the Vatican over the last few decades.
March 1, 2022
Good read.
Leaves one asking, “So what happens now?”
Leaves one asking, “So what happens now?”
March 23, 2022
Good read. It clearly demonstrates how the Church is being destroyed from within, beginning with Vatican II. Francis is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
May 6, 2022
Fascinating and disturbing examination of the rise of Bergoglio and his cronies
May 9, 2022
Did not finish
June 22, 2022
Deep dive
Deep dive into modern church history the 'regular' media won't do. Definitely helps one make sense of what is otherwise incomprehensible moves in this pontificate.
Deep dive into modern church history the 'regular' media won't do. Definitely helps one make sense of what is otherwise incomprehensible moves in this pontificate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews