The Jesuits: The Society of Jesus and the Betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church

by Malachi Martin

In The Jesuits, Malachi Martin reveals for the first time the harrowing behind-the-scenes story of the "new" worldwide Society of Jesus. The leaders and the dupes; the blood and the pathos; the politics, the betrayals and the humiliations; the unheard-of alliances and compromises. The Jesuits tells a true story of today that is already changing the face of all our tomorrows.

Genres: History, Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Faith

525 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1987

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating account of how liberalism arose in the Jesuit branch of Catholic church and how it spread to North America. It is amazing how so many years can pass and suddenly a generation believes that wholesale change in a very humanistic direction is for God's benefit. Each time I read one of Martin's books, I come away amazed. His novels seem to have more fundamental truth in them that most non fiction books these days.

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics is often more than the "art of compromise" that Plato called it. It represents the struggle for domination of ideas and power. Any organization that deals with wealth or ideas will inherently be subject to competing forces in the drive for control. The Catholic Church is no exception, and Malachi Martin has written a riveting history of the "war" between the Papacy and the Society of Jesus, known to the rest of the world as the Jesuits.

The effects of the battles have been profound and may affect millions. The conflict has two defining issues: authority, i.e., who creates doctrine and moral law; and purpose, i.e., what is to be the role of the Church in the modem world.

Arthur McGovern, SJ. wrote a book entitled Marxism, an American Christian Perspective that suggested Jesus was a paragon of revolution, a Marxist, if you will, who proclaimed, "I have come to preach good news to the poor, to set the downtrodden free, to redeem the captives." Elemental Marx also declared this class struggle. (Pat Robertson must be getting a hickey over this.) One faction of the Jesuits adopted this point of view. The Pope, vigorously antiCommunist, and the antisocial gospel adherents formed the lines on the, other, side of the debate.

Martin clearly sides with the Pope, arguing it is specious to throwaway 1500 years of moral and spiritual proclamation merely because Karl Rahner, SJ. and others theorize the hierarchy is wrong and the social gospel correct. This is ironic because the Jesuits had become over the centuries the Pope's men, the one organization that the Pope could always count on for unswerving loyalty.

Inigo de Loyola was born in 1491, a time when the European Christian world was being turned on its head. The Byzantine Christians had been overrun by the Turks, sending art and literature artifacts westward; the Moors were finally being pushed out of Grenada, their final stronghold in Spain; and Columbus returned from his historic voyage in 1493. Little Europe was no longer the center of the world and the powers recognized there were millions of souls in the world that needed Christianizing.

Inigo started off badly. He was worse than the proverbial typical teenager and was arrested for malicious behavior on several occasions. The turning point was the convalescence period following his severe injuries in the war. A cannonball passed between his legs, shattering one. The French doctors did not set it well, and back in Spain it needed to be broken once more and reset. This required a long period in bed during which time he read the lives of the saints, gradually becoming more and more mystically oriented. A pilgrimage to Jerusalem clinched his change in masters: he would now serve Jesus rather than the temporal Spanish king (actually it was the queen he had been most infatuated with).

He began a period of intense study at the University of Paris. He was thirty-four. Paris was seething with the heady rebellious thinking of the Renaissance, and Inigo (he changed his name to the more Latin Ignatius about this time) was examined by the Inquisition three times, but acquitted - although he spent some time in prison. After becoming a priest and receiving his degree, he presented a plan to the Pope that was bold in its simplicity. He would create an army, beholden to no one but the Pope which would not be tied to any particular discipline or way of life, but would acquire whatever skills were needed in the battle against the great evil one, Lucifer. As the
Pope was Christ's personal representative on earth, devotion to the Pope was to be paramount.

The structure of the organization was to reflect that of God's ordained hierarchical edifice, i.e. subordination to the superior, all elements bound together in recognition of higher authority, simple in design, much like a pyramid. The bonds of authority and obedience became the glue that held the sQciety together. Order was paramount. "Sin and Lucifer had violated that order of created things. The great enterprise of Christ was to restore that order."If the links were altered in anyway; so too would the Society of Jesus be fundamentally changed.

Martin blames "Modernism" for the changes in the Jesuits and the Church. George Tyrell, a late 19th century Jesuit, believed the structure of the Church, the hierarchy, was a medieval anachronism that was a passing phase in Christ's development of the institution. This view struck at the heart of the Pope's authority, transferring it to the community of believers. Martin argues this democratic concept leads to faith in the world rather than faith in the church. Liberation theology, Martin's bete noire, was a natural result of this world view.

This is a truly a fascinating book. Martin is obviously a dedicated conservative who staunchly believes in the rightness of a patriarchal, fascistic hierarchical structure for his church .

[José · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible book! Anyone with any sense should stay as far away from this book as possible. As a former Jesuit, the late Fr. Martin has a major axe to grind. He attacks the Jesuits for allegedly derailing Ignatius' mission in the aftermath of Vatican II. Martin represents the wing of the Church that detests the Jesuits' new focus on social justice. Martin is so rabidly opposed to this trend that he spends 1/3 of this very repetitive text lashing out against Liberation Theology and another 1/3 going after Fr. Arrupe and his two General Congregations. Scant energy is spent on Ignatius and the Jesuit achievements up through the end of the 19th century. In 500+ pages, Martin fails to convince why the Church should not pursue a believer's physical welfare. Nor does he explain to my satisfaction how the learned Jesuits are supposed to ignore the scientific evidence of their secular endeavors. It gets two stars because, somehow, I came away from this tirade with a deeper affection for the Jesuits, their message, and their work.

[Charles Maranto · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a graduate of a Jesuit high school, I've always been intrigued by the Jesuits and their history. This book gets into a lot of politics and history. I thought it was fascinating. This book does a hatch-it job on Liberation theology - a political theology that focuses on liberation from unjust economic, political and social conditions.

[Cyril · Rating 5 out of 5]

It lays out the systematic denaturing of one of the most influential organizations in modern history, and its transformation over a few decades into something its founder would have never recognized.

[Chuck Van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of information about both the Jesuits and Vatican II. There are probably better places to learn about both, but if you have an open mind, it presents an extreme perspective that I thought was honest to the author's convictions. I know Martin is a bit controversial, but the book is well written and honestly says some beautiful things at times. You'll see the man's faith written out written on the page at times. If anyone is so partial to the Jesuits or the Catholic hierarchy that they can't stand to hear criticism, then don't read this book. Anyone else I think will find themselves surprised at what an interesting read it is.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was attracted to read this book by the recent election of Pope Francis, being the first Jesuit Pope. Little did I realize what I was getting into, as this book is nothing less than an open castigation of Jesuitism and the Catholic Church by author Malachi Martin.

Because Martin himself was a former Jesuit, and devout Catholic, this book provides a unique cross section perspective into the history of the Catholic Church and the emergence of South American Liberation Theology. It has been a good number of years since I read the internationally popular work by Gustavo Gutierrez: A Theology of Liberation, but my recollections of the book were never of anything sinister, or even Marxists, as Martin depicts it. Quite frankly, I was very surprised by Martin’s vicious attack against this theology, as something diabolical that is overwhelming the Catholic Church. Martin appears to have great difficulty in recognizing and accepting that religions evolve. With the exception of God, nothing in the world is immutable. Everything changes. That which persists, does so because it adapts.

In this book, Martin predicts that Liberation Theology will lead to the demise of Jesuitism and severely damage Catholicism, but Martin never imagined that we would witness the installation of a Jesuit Pope in 2013 (Martin died in 1999). Remarkably, Pope Francis is not only the first Jesuit Pope, but he is also the first Pope from Latin America, which Martin identifies in the book as the breeding grounds for this new theology that he sees as so deviant.

The great thing about a good writer like Martin is that the research and factual reporting is typically so thorough that you can easily disagree with the theme and still benefit greatly from the reading. Such is the case with this book, in which Martin’s personal viewpoints come across as archaic, dusty, and obsolete; and yet the detail with which Martin writes allows the open minded reader to gain a very good perspective of the history of the Catholic Church. The book also accentuates ones understanding of the main divisions between Catholicism and the Protestant faith. As a result, this book holds a great deal of relevance for today’s reader and even more so since the rise to prominence of Pope Francis. In fact, I’d venture to say that this book would be indispensable to the edification of anyone seeking to understand the future directions of Catholicism.

In a manner akin to certain conservative talk show hosts, Martin sees communists around every corner. With accusations that reek of McCarthyism, Martin exhorts capitalism and democracy, while lamenting the expansion of socialism. Yet, in hypocritical contradiction, Martin somehow sees the totalitarian or monarchal organization of Catholicism as perfectly acceptable. There is something extremely difficult to digest in Martin’s contention that totalitarianism is appropriate for the Catholic Church but somehow diabolical in government.

There is a great divide between the teachings of Jesus Christ and those of ultra conservative talk show hosts. It is not truly possible to fully adhere to the teachings of both. Jesus proclaimed: “I have come to preach the good news to the poor, to set the downtrodden free, to redeem captives.” Jesus didn’t say that he had come to insure political mechanisms remain in place to permit people to hoard their resources. It is a hoarding that quickly leads to a flaunting and ultimately to the display of pompous frivolity in the very face of suffering and need. This is, unquestionably, a certain form of sin that is about in the world, disguised beneath a political façade. It is a sin of uplifting and praising those that flaunt decadence because of what they have, with less regard to what they are. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of Christ’s message.

I think that Martin misunderstands that systems of government are not the most relevant factor. Jesus sought to change men, not governments. Systems of government cannot do what necessarily requires changes in the hearts of men. A true Christian environment compels us to subordinate ourselves to love and righteousness before Nation States.

Martin’s conservative paranoia ultimately leads him to identify philanthropic movements in the church as a rising Humanism that he sees as contrary to traditional worship. Martin encourages the reader to refrain from putting faith in mankind because man is inherently sinful. But Martin fails to appreciate the part of Humanism that is congruent with the great commission: to love God and to love others with all your heart, soul, and mind. Quite simply, it is impossible to be a true Christian and to ignore human suffering about you. It is as impossible as a camel going through the eye of a needle. Serfs, slaves, the exploited, the politically oppressed, the poverty stricken, and the culturally isolated are essentially imprisoned by a social framework that refuses to fully acknowledge their plight and this hurt is exacerbated when such people are ignored by haughty, high minded folks who are more concerned with self adornment and rituals of exclusivity than with reaching down and lifting up their fellow beings.

What Martin sees as subversion in the Catholic Church, I see as a wave of necessary change. Martin would clearly argue the contrary, but there is something incredibly narcissistic in his arguments. Martin’s arguments favor a hierarchy headed by a monarch that can unilaterally dictate what is to be construed as religious fact. The Pope is indeed very similar to an ancient monarch, fully replete with elaborate costume, ritual, and requisite human deference from an entire caste of underlings. In contrast, I feel the need for religious governance (or should I say domination) is lessened as a man progresses toward a higher plane, transcending from ritualistic dictates of primitive religious systems, upward to an enhanced state of volitional conformance with righteousness. A state that is sustained by an indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Martin exhibits the cage that binds so many. It is a cage that is constructed of rules, dogma, doctrines, and rituals, many of which are archaic and of questionable relevance in the modern world. To observe his fellow Catholics breaking free from this cage infuses Martin with a bitterness that is apparent throughout this book. In his fervent opposition to change, Martin exhibits a fundamental misunderstanding of the life of Christ and what Christ stood for. Christ blatantly opposed the very edifice of self-righteous theology that Martin clings to. Martin comes across like an old man, still attired in apparel that was worn centuries before.

Juxtapose the Protestant understanding that God communicates to us directly against the elaborate hierarchy of bishops, cardinals, and popes, and you may begin to see why such change is needed. But it is a change that Martin cannot stomach and which he snarls about throughout the book. Quite frankly, Martin seems to be lamenting what may be viewed as a sustained continuance of the Reformation. A continuation that increasingly recognizes that contemplation must be combined with action in order to ferment true spiritual growth. There are those who wish no less than to die completely harnessed by the Holy Spirit, engaged in a full passionate gallop for the Lord, right up until the very end.

A new world will be less the result of the success or failure of any particular religion or social system than it will be by changes in the attitudes of human beings. As painful as the alteration of tradition may be for immutable attitudes like Martins, change is inevitable. Had Martin been alive to witness the installation of the first Jesuit and South American Pope, the very shock of it would likely have killed him.

[Roger Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about war – outright warfare – in the Church.

Like most of the late Father Malachi Martin’s works, it is about the war in the Church between conservatives and progressives, so-called. And like most of Father Martin’s works, it is about war not simply in this world – but the world beyond this world, as well.

Because, although tremendously learned and scholarly, Malachi Martin does not succumb to the temptations of modern academia: he does not shy away from speaking about either the supernatural or the preternatural. For him to do so, would to be make concessions to the precise kind of worldly, materialistic mentality which he argues – very powerfully – has now betrayed the Catholic Church …

Taken from my blog. Much more can be found here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2011/...

[Bookman8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

While dated (1987), this is an interesting read for anyone now, or formerly, a Catholic. If you were educated in a Jesuit school or college, you should read this. If you went to a Jesuit college in the late sixties, early seventies, you must read this.

Martin begins with the history of the Jesuits and their interactions with the papacy. When we get to the sixties, Vatican II, liberal theology, and Father Arrupe SJ,(a fascinating story in itself), it is obvious that Martin believes the Jesuits jumped the proverbial "shark." Later in the book it appears that the entire Catholic church jumped the shark at the same time. The machinations of the Jesuits in South and Central America are viewed as the beginning of the lost path.

Martin himself, left the order in 1964, while remaining a priest and continuing to honor his priestly vows, and offering mass privately. He was throughout his life a conservative Catholic. He died in 1999.

In this book he provides tremendous insight into the Jesuit order, and to the concurrent trends in the Catholic church. He does carry on at great length in some areas, well after he has made his point and defended it. Still it is important that one soldier on to the very end, because the last 5 pages are excitingly revelatory.

I can only think that Reverend Martin is spinning in his grave with the election of a Jesuit to the Papacy. Add to that the fact that this Pope is also Argentinian, and we no longer have a white pope and a black pope, but a truly grey pope ("Who am I to judge.").

[Ellie Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I DNF this book, I only read about half of it. It is very detailed (which is great), but as a mom with littles I could only read small sections at a time and it was hard to keep up with. I did enjoy what I was able to read and I thought it was a very informative read. I’ve often wondered why the Jesuits seemed to be so progressive and liberal now a days and this book does a good job of telling that story. Modernism truly is a poison. Worth reading if you have time.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other face of catholicism.

[Fawls13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, informative and insightful.

[Dolores Despiau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned about St. Ignatius of Loyola, the society he started as a founding father of the Jesuits. The History Of the Jesuits and it's significance in the development of our society today.

[Ben B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable insight into the history and intrigues of the society. Eye-opening.

[Landis Duffett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here's the entire book reduced (accurately) to one humdrum and laboriously Scholastic Martinian syllogistic argument: George Tyrrell at the turn of the 19th-20th century introduced a virus into Jesuitism: Modernism and a concern for the poor and suffering in this world. This virus has only increased and spread, receiving theoretical underpinnings from thinkers like Rahner, Küng, and Gustavo Gutierrez. Its most prominent expression was in a Jesuit-supported and activist Liberation Theology prevalent in Central and South America since the 1960s, masquerading as Catholicism and advocating--gasp, that bane of hierarchies everywhere--democracy. But Catholicism is orthodoxy, not modernism. Catholicism only cares about saving souls, not lives. Therefore, modernism bad. In the fight of Arrupist Jesuitism vs. Papacy, Papacy orthodox and thus good, Arrupism modernist and thus bad. Thus, pope good, Jesuits bad.
Seriously, just read that paragraph a few times until you grasp it and you will gain nothing by reading the 500 pages of an at times doltishly simplistic argument, with next to no nuance, which never makes an effort to understand (not agree with, but just to understand) the other side other than to caricature young Jesuits as ponytail-wearing, pot-smoking, blue jean wearing pseudo-seminarians (mostly his description, not mine) barhopping in Manhattan in the 1970s. Even Arrupe himself is reduced to his charisma and political acumen rather than any moral fortitude or caritas. (And surprise: I, even though an atheist, mostly agree with the orthodox side: how is that possible? Modernism doesn't need the trappings of church or superstition anymore so it shouldn't be a debate over whether the Church should be modernist or orthodox. Let the church wear all the costumes it wants. In the meantime, let's go fight for the poor without wearing silly costumes and without the church; thus, sure, let the Church be orthodox, nobody should care how elaborate their costumes and rituals are anymore than we care about the cut and trim of Howard Cunningham's Grand Poobah hat on Happy Days; that's for the Poobahs to decide, as far as I'm concerned.).
Mostly a pretty painful read with all the subtlety of a Jack Thomas Chick comic tract on how you (replace "Jesuits") are going to go to hell for celebrating Halloween (replace "wearing blue jeans and talking to peasants").
And it's not to say the story (Pope vs. Society of Jesus) would not have been an interesting one to tell in the less head-bludgeoning and tendentious hands of a different storyteller, but in the hands of Martin, give it a pass.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my formal introduction to the Jesuits. I had heard of the SJs but I knew little about the order and their relationship with the vatican specifically the pope. Malachi did an admirable job of providing a history of the order as context, its original charter, and the evolution of the same that led to the riff between the order and the holy see. And while it is obvious that Malachi does not agree with course chosen by the Jesuits he offers balance in his criticisms of the popes' approaches to dealing with dispute. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about this order.

[Robert]

Excellent book. I suffered 12 years of my youth at a Jesuit "concentration camp" College. Malachi Martin told how evil this mob is and how much they control the Roman Catholic Church.

[Michael Tien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account, interesting insights to politics and a period of church history.

[Scot León Pfuntner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well written and provides invaluable insight into how the Society of Jesus broke their vows to the papacy to become a rogue secret society. I believe the Jesuits are now infiltrating every other secret society in order to promote the New World Order as their complete and perfected "evolution" of mankind. They are deceived by the ultimate deceiver and have in these last days taken over the papacy they were sworn to protect. That's like the bank guards deciding one day to kick out the bank managers and taking over the bank. However, the analogy breaks down at that point, because the bank guards would still be guards, but if the bank guards decided to nominate one of their own as the bank manager and then paraded that person around as the manager - the analogy would be complete.

[Trish Remley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an eye opener. Didn't know this history at all. Actually I knew the early history of St Ignatius and founding of the Jesuits (1500's), but not from say the 1950's on. Wow, marxism, Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, war, ignoring two Popes. At the same time - so educated, so inventive, working for the people. This story only goes up to 1984 or so and the beginning of John Paul II. Need to find out what has happened since. This book was so full of information and I really had to pay attentiion when reading. Seemed like it took a long time, but worth it. Pope Francis is a Jesuit from South America - no wonder he is so much about the people and not the pomp and circumstance!

[Victoria Amator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exposing the secrets of a society is difficult when danger abounds. Malachi Martin was a member of this society who knew the danger in writing this book. His courage makes him a real soldier in the Battle between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness by shining a light for the world to see the truth.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachi Martin's book on the Roman Catholic Jesuit order is fascinating, captivating, as well as informative. Martin vividly portrays the political and religious intrigue of the Vatican and clearly shows how these struggles led to the formation of the Jesuit religious order, and how the order has evolved to this day. Highly recommended!

[Sara J. (kefuwa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Recognise the signs of your times." Hmm. Totally fired up reading this... but it sort of petered out for me around 3/4ths through the book. Anyhow - there is nothing harmless about a "little" compromise... especially in terms of absolutes.

[Zdenek Sykora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jesuits by Malachi Martin is a controversial and provocative book that delves into the history and influence of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. Martin, a former Jesuit priest himself, offers a critical examination of the order, focusing on what he perceives as a betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church's traditional values. Published in 1987, the book quickly became a bestseller and sparked considerable debate both within and outside the Catholic community.

Summary: The book traces the history of the Jesuits from their founding by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century to their modern role within the Catholic Church and global affairs. Martin argues that the Jesuits, originally established to defend the Church against the Protestant Reformation and to promote missionary work, have strayed from their original mission. According to Martin, the order has become increasingly politicized, embracing liberal and progressive ideologies that conflict with the Church's doctrines.

Martin is particularly critical of the Jesuits' involvement in liberation theology in Latin America, which he views as a dangerous fusion of Marxist principles with Christian theology. He contends that this shift in focus has led the Jesuits away from their spiritual roots and into the realm of political activism, often in opposition to the Vatican's authority.

Analysis: The Jesuits is both admired and criticized for its passionate and polemical style. Supporters of the book praise Martin for his insider perspective and his willingness to tackle complex and sensitive issues within the Catholic Church. His detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the Jesuit order adds credibility to his critique.

Conclusion: The Jesuits: The Society of Jesus and the Betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church is a compelling but polarizing read. Malachi Martin's sharp critique of the Jesuit order provides valuable insights into the internal conflicts within the Catholic Church, but readers should approach the book with an understanding of its controversial nature. Whether one agrees with Martin's perspective or not, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between religion, politics, and power.

[Galilea Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

No es un libro fácil de leer porque obviamente es un libro largo. En algunas partes puedes perderte. Pero cuando vas analizandolo y comprendiendolo vemos cómo se fue dejenerando esta orden. Alejándose del verdadero propósito de su fundador. Como el concilió vaticano segundo les sirvió como arma de doble filo para hacer lo que les plazca y ser desobedientes. Alejarse de la verdadera doctrina católica y queriendo ser reyes de este mundo, cuando son enseñanzas que no coinciden con lo que viene en la biblia. Me parece algo ridículo que sino están de acuerdo con los estándares de una religión mejor se salgan y funden una en base a sus creencias. Pero es algo obvio que no lo hacen porque quieren seguir dañando a la iglesia desde adentro. Los libros de Malachi Martin te enseñan como se ha ido fracturando la iglesia en los últimos tiempos. Cómo la toma de decisiones equivocadas de un papá puede y ha estado dañando a nivel mundial a sus fieles, pero recordándonos también que en sus manos existe una gran responsabilidad y siguen siendo simples mortales con defectos y miedos. Creó que todos los sacerdotes deberían de leer estos libros para que entiendan más la institución a la que pertenecen y la enorme responsabilidad que tienen con su pueblo sin dejar en lado la verdadera doctrina católica.

[Marcos Zamith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tive uma boa impressão do padre Malachi Martin num programa de William Buckley, Firing Line, assim como num documentário da Netflix.

Minha expectativa da qualidade desse livro era semelhante, no entanto não consegui concluir a leitura.

Acredito que sejam verdadeiras muitas informações no livro a respeito da história dos jesuítas como também de pensamentos e comportamentos seus na história recente da Igreja. Entretanto, achei a escrita verborrágica e repetitiva. Em vez de demonstrar ponto por ponto uma negação da doutrina católica pelos jesuítas, que são variados no mundo, o assunto focado, pelo menos no primeiro capítulo e trechos de uns outros, é política eclesiástica, que é diferente de doutrina ou de teologia dogmática. Desse modo, a polêmica levantada é "conservadores x progressistas", teologia da libertação, que, em via de regra, observo haver muitos opinantes (em qualquer grupo que seja) que não estudaram os assuntos adequadamente, ou ainda, que são repetidores de slogans.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening behind the scenes look at the Jesuits from an insidser's perspective. As a cradle-Catholic I had heard much about the society from an early age from priests in the family, to friends in the clergy, to lifelong Catholics who recall pre-Vatican 2 Catholicism. It was good getting the information from someone who was actually there, on the front lines so to to speak, as a Jesuit in the Vatican. Fr Malachi Martin was a brilliant and controversial figure to be sure. But as a thoughtful reflection on The Jesuits and the papacy, especially in light of the current pope's reign, this book is invaluable in understanding some of the (unfortunately) uglier and worldly politics inside the church.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at how liberal theology, liberation theology, and modernism came to completely eviscerate the "Society of Jesus" and most of the Roman Catholic Church. While reading this book, I couldn't help but see the startling parallel with how the Evangelical Industrial Complex is currently replaying the same kind of path, with it's redefinition of words and purpose, incessant political intrigues, and conformity to the world, that the Jesuits embarked upon in the 20th century to the demise of their organization and the RCC at large.

Highly recommended, particularly if you have any desire to see the necessary consequences of liberation theology play out within an "orthodox" institution.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative study of the history of the Jesuit order - from its founding by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the mid 16th Century - to the broken and heretical state we see today. Special attention was paid to the Jesuit role during Vatican II, which I found to be exceptionally detailed and helped fill gaps in my understanding of ecclesial events during the early 1960s. Popes have both relied upon and fought against the Order, and today it remains a leader in promoting Modernism, Ecumenism, and Humanism. I grew up knowing that any Jesuit school was not to be trusted to promote orthodox theology, and this book explained the how and why behind that sentiment.

A very long, very detailed, and very interesting read.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The truth is in the telling, as Robert Evans wrote in the, “The kid stays in the Picture”, there are 3 truths; your truth, their truth and what actually happened.

What stands out to me is that the Jesuits feel a part of a cause, something far greater than an individual, spanning millennia, joined in belief that embraces all, regardless of creed or position, the stakes are higher, and the scale infinitely greater.

Obviously if you are a church conservative, then the brotherhood’s realignment back to the teachings of Christ, is a betrayal of the pope and hierarchical church order.
If you feel that the church has inserted itself between the faithful and god, and on the way drifted from teachings of Christ, then the picture looks somewhat different.

It’s a fascinating insight into the responsibility of authority, the overt and tacit contract of trust and the foibles of man.