From Inquisition to freedom: Seven prominent Catholics and their struggle with the Vatican

By Paul M. Collins

In this fascinating account of the inner workings of the Vatican, seven prominent Roman Catholics who have been silenced for their views record their struggle against the inquisitorial power of the Church. For the first time, they tell the full story of how they clashed with the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), headed by Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, over such issues as the Church's position on birth control, women's role in the Church, and liberation theology in Third World countries. The contributors include famous Swiss theologian Hans Kung; noted American moral theologian Father Charles E. Curran, silenced by the Vatican and fired from his teaching position at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; Sri Lankan priest Tissa Balasuriya, whose excommunication was reversed after an international outcry; well-known British broadcaster, author, and ex-nun Dr. Lavinia Byrne, targeted for her views about the ordination of women; American priest Father Robert Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick, both banned permanently from ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics; and prominent Australian priest Father Paul Collins, whose 1997 book Papal Power brought him on a collision course with the Vatican.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0731810430
• ISBN13: 9780731810437
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 256 Pages
• Dimensions: 5.9" x 9.1"