Mitre and Crook (Catholic Traditionalist Classics)

by Bryan Houghton

Book Overview

This epistolary novel is the story of an English Roman Catholic bishop determined to resist, to the extent of his powers, the attempts of 'modernizers' in his church to destroy centuries of tradition... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1621384950
• ISBN13: 9781621384953
• Release Date: November 2019
• Publisher: Angelico Press
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Episcopal epistles in an inspiring rear-guard action

This epistolary novel is the story of an English Roman Catholic bishop determined to resist, to the extent of his powers, the attempts of 'modernizers' in his church to destroy centuries of tradition and practice and replace them with the latest mod, hip, 'inclusive' liturgical fads and fashions. Unlike many traditionalists, Bishop Forester is defiant, not apologetic. He is not seeking compromise, but defending an ancient treasure. That makes his story surprisingly exciting to read.An example: 'How can anyone dare stamp on other people's sentiments? Who has given them permission? "The hankering after the Old Mass is pure sentimentality." Of course it is, and that is why it is sacrosanct.'And again: ' The very volume of changes in the Church since Vatican II is sufficient to guarantee that most of them are for the worse. It is inconceivable that over the past two thousand years the Church has manifested and expressed the Faith so badly that any and every change must be for the better. If that were so, she would lose all credibility. What is conceivable, on the other hand, is that some of the changes may have been for the better and some not. But this possibility is one which we are not allowed even to discuss. To do so is disloyal, divisive, and conducive to schism. Every change is for the better; there has not been the least error, the slightest slip.'Bishop Forester is a man of faith. His devotion to the old order of Roman Catholicism is not traditionalism-for-its-own-sake, but rather based on his faith in his Church and, above all, in his God. Even for a non-Catholic, there's much to learn, and much to think about, reading his letters. Even now, almost 15 years after first reading it, I'm still pondering Forester's comments about how many people's enduring view of Jesus Christ is of Him as a baby -- the Jesus of 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night.' Thus, we live our lives looking down (literally and figuratively) at a helpless child, instead of looking up to the triumphant, conquering God on the Cross. Powerful stuff.Bishop Forester asks many important questions about what it means to be a Christian in this day and age. Whether you're a Catholic or not -- whether you're a Christian or not -- I guarantee this book will leave you with a lot to think about.