LETTERS TO POPE BENEDICT

About the Book

“Being a modern day Catholic woman, the ancient teaching that bothers me the most is the tradition that states no woman is to be ordained a priest.” —Erika Bussard, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio “Our Church needs to listen to the parishioners and not ignore the words they speak.” —Chris Ruark, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Pope Benedict and his advisors are not listening despite the fact the church is in crisis, says Hans Küng and a host of European theologians. Author Dr. R. John Kinkel believed that if he shared students’ opinions about the state of the Catholic Church in a series of letters addressed to Pope Benedict, the pontiff just might listen. Convinced that this strategy might work where others have failed, he collected letters from college students over the last four years (2007–2010). Simply put, he asked students to tell the pope what they think. Kinkel believes time is running out; the Catholic Church is losing a whole generation of believers because they are frustrated. The Vatican, according to most students, needs reform; from the belief that woman should be ordained to the perception of antiquated teachings not based in today’s reality, Letters to Pope Benedict gives these students’ thoughts and vital opinions voice. Within this volume lies the key to preserving the church and bringing the vibrancy of a younger generation into the fold.

About the Author

Dr. R. John Kinkel currently teaches sociology at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. He is the author of Chaos in the Catholic Church and Cinderella Church as well as articles for the Boston Globe, the L.A. Times, and the Detroit Free Press.