The Francis Effect: A Radical Pope's Challenge to the American Catholic Church

(Paperback)

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The Francis Effect explores how a church once known as a towering force for social justice became known for a narrow agenda most closely aligned with one political party, and then looks at the opportunities for change in the age of Francis. Pope Francis has become an unlikely global star whose image has graced the covers of Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Time, and even the nations oldest magazine for gays and lesbians. The first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name of a beloved saint of the poor, Francis is shaking up a church that has been mired in scandal and demoralized by devastating headlines. His bracing critique of an out-of-touch hierarchy, pastoral style when it comes to divisive issues, and humble gestures rejecting the trappings of papal power have changed the conversation about the worlds most powerful religious institution. But in the United States, Pope Francis finds a church that has been transformed over the past three decades by a vocal minority of culture warrior bishops, conservative intellectuals, and Christian evangelicals. The first half of the book analyzes the key trends that shaped the Catholic Church over the past century, while the second half looks at the words and actions of Pope Francis, and what they mean for real change.

Reviews

With this book, Gehring has created a thoughtful response to the papacy of the first man to take, as his regnal name, that of Francis of Assisi, the medieval saint renowned for the radical simplicity of his life and message. In Gehrings view, Franciss ascendancy has both global implications and meanings particular to the West, specifically the United States. Pope Francis has already provoked discussion of the most divisive issues facing the church such as those related to marriage and family life, encouraged the revival of Liberation Theology, and been an outspoken advocate for action on climate change. VERDICT A thoughtful, important study of an ever-evolving and exciting time in the Catholic Church. * Library Journal, Starred Review *
Gehring, Catholic director at the advocacy group Faith in Public Life, presents a well-researched work that features dozens of Catholic voices driving the conversation about Pope Francis and his universal call for a radical embrace of the Gospel. Gehring is a veteran journalist who digs for the nuances at the heart of a story; in a media climate often filled with suspicion and polarization, it is refreshing to read something with true journalistic integrity. While not afraid of offering criticism, Gehring is most interested in finding common ground. The book focuses on the consistent, but challenging message that Pope Francis proclaims regarding care for the poor and the resonance of faith in all aspects of life. This message has transformed many faithful who felt disenfranchised by the Churchs sex scandal and injected new and vital energy into Catholicisma progression the author describes in his punchy style. Gehring is able to cover numerous topics that are accentuating Francis effect on the worldwide Church, including LGBT rights, Catholic identity of institutions, religion and politics, and the necessity to stem the tide of Millennials exiting the Church in droves. Anyone who is curious about where the Catholic Church is headed in the 21st century will be fascinated. * Publishers Weekly *
In this narrative and analysis of the papacy of John Francis, Gehring provides a detailed primer of opposition to Francis within the Roman Catholic Church as well as a discussion of current progressive Catholic leaders. Focusing exclusively on Catholicism in the US, though referencing John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Gehring describes the rise of conservative Catholic leaders in the US hierarchy and the unofficial lay organizations that promote traditionalist views. During the ascendancy of traditionalist leaders, progressive thinkers and activistsonce leading voices in Roman Catholic life in the USfound themselves increasingly on the margins of influence. By Francis effect, the author means the return to the forefront of progressive Catholics, who have different conclusions about church teachings on a variety of issues, including economics and sexuality. Gehring offers an up-to-date summary of the diverse perspectives of Catholic leaders in the US and the role that Francis is playing in the conflict among those holding differing views. Gehring invites readers to consider the future of a Roman Catholic Church that has experienced new life with the ascendancy of its progressive wing. The future has yet to tell if unity can exist without uniformity. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. * CHOICE *
The majority of Gehrings book is on the Church itself, and Franciss efforts at reform from within. The author does an excellent job of rendering clearly what might seem to outsiders like so much inside baseball, tracing the movement of prelates according to Franciss appointments and removals, explaining the extent of his work bringing women into contributory roles within the Churchs leadership, and examining his impact on the welcoming of lesbian and gay Catholics into the life of the Church. Perhaps each of Franciss reforms inside the Church is, in itself, small; even Gehring worries that some will view the Francis effect as nothing more than a 'change in tone.' But by taking all of his reform efforts thus far together, Gehring builds a compelling, readable case for viewing Francis as a Pope uniquely equipped to struggle against the vices of his age. * New Republic *
I recommend this book highly. . . .Gehring does a fine job tracing briefly the history of both the rise of the religious right and the generally left-leaning alliance of the Church with a variety of more progressive causes that preceded it. . . .The greatest strength of this book . . . is the reporting Gehring undertook in evaluating what effect Francis has begun to have on the U.S. Church. I found his report on his visit to Mt. St. Marys seminary especially enlightening. . . .Gehrings book is a quick read and a useful point of reference. . . .(Indeed, another strength of this book is his careful detailing of the politics of the bishops conference, where Gehring worked previously.) It is well written and insightful, never getting bogged down, and, finally, posing the question the bishops need to start answering week after next: Is the Church in the U.S. going to stand with Francis or not And, if so, what changes can we anticipate and welcome These are important questions and they will not be answered easily or quickly, but Gehring has given us a fine frame for wrapping our heads around the issues at stake. * National Catholic Reporter *
Gehrings book provides a valuable roadmap to the different forces at play. The book is populated by mini-vignettes of dozens of Catholicswell-known and otherwisewho weigh in on Francis. . . .[T]hey give a helpful panorama of the Catholic landscape according to Gehring. * America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture *
The strength of Gehrings treatise is his juxtaposition of the fresh winds of mercy and reform that Francis has unleashed alongside the history of the transformation of the American bishops from the 1970s to the present.... Anyone wanting a smart, readable, and optimistic account of the Francis era will welcome Gerhring's account. * Theological Studies *
John Gehring has created a stirring, multidimensional account of Catholicism in the twenty-first century. Through a highly engaging, well-researched narrative, he paints a comprehensive picture of the Church dynamics of the past few decades. His insights make sense of my experience and why I'm finding renewed joy in the Gospel. It is the Francis effect! -- Sister Simone Campbell, author of A Nun on the Bus: How All of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community
Pope Francis transcends political categories: like any pope he is neither liberal nor conservative; neither progressive nor traditionalist; and certainly neither Democrat nor Republican. But that doesn't mean that his words and deeds have not had a powerful impact on people who self-identify with all of these categories. In this well-researched, thoughtful, and careful analysis, Gehring shows how Pope Francis has influenced both the Catholic Church in the United States and the American political discourse, thus altering the spiritual and cultural landscape for perhaps decades to come. -- James Martin, SJ, author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Jesus: A Pilgrimage
In Pope Franciss young papacy, he has already proven to be a transformative figure in the global Catholic Churchand, even more, one of the few real conversation changers in the world today. Gehrings accessible and insightful book skillfully documents the deep divisions in U.S. Catholicism and U.S. politics that have emerged in the past few decades. In the process, Gehring shows us why the bold vision of Pope Francis is so necessary and so appealing to many Catholics, other people of faith, and non-believers alike. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what Franciss message may mean for the future of this country. -- Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author of The (Un)Common Good: How the Gospel Brings Hope to a World Divided
Gehring's remarkable, well-documented analysis of the Churchs challenges, struggles, and hopes in a dramatically evolving world since the Second Vatican Council comes at a propitious moment of opportunity. The Francis effect offers a profoundly relational and exciting vision that should lead to a new solidarity in the human family, one in which everyone is valued and no one is excluded. -- William S. Skylstad, Bishop Emeritus of Spokane, Washington; former president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Gehring exactly captures the elation Pope Francis has inspired by describing his papacy as an unexpected gift. In The Francis Effecthis shrewd, thoughtful, and richly detailed account of the struggles inside the American Catholic Churchhe explains why. Gehring combines a deep understanding of the forces at work within Catholicism with a believers knowledge that faith not only informs but also transcends day-to-day politics. He is so right in insisting that Francis opens an unparalleled opportunity for the Church that it dare not miss. -- E.J. Dionne Jr., Georgetown University; author of Souled Out and Our Divided Political Heart
Gehring takes a very perceptive look at how the Francis pontificate is challenging Catholic leadership in the United States after years of a narrow culture war vision of the churchs mission. The book offers fresh insight into the real Francis effect, which involves a profoundly new understanding of the churchs doctrinal tradition and its development. -- John Thavis, former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service and author of The Vatican Diaries
Gehring provides an acute account of how a vocal minority of culture warrior bishops and activists tried to reduce Catholic teaching to Republican talking points. More importantly, he also shows how Pope Francis is healing wounds and breathing new li

Author Bio

John Gehring is Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, an advocacy group in Washington, DC. His writing and analysis have appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, CNN.com, Crux, and the National Catholic Reporter, among other outlets. He is a former associate director for media relations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and has been a staff writer at the Catholic Review, the Frederick Gazette, and Education Week. He is a graduate of Mount Saint Marys University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He lives in Washington, D.C.