Papal Sin: Structures of Deceit by Garry Wills

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Papal Sin

Structures of Deceit

by Garry Wills

Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (June 6, 2000)

ISBN-10: 0385494106

ISBN-13: 978-0385494106

Hardcover: Jun 2000,

326 pages.

 

against ignorantia affectata, Jan 28 2004

By Susan Spilecki " coachspilecki " (Brighton, MA United States)

 

Garry Wills' introduction to Roman Catholic systematized self-deceiving

traditions, *Papal Sin,* is a tour-de-force for awakening the consciences of

cradle-Catholics who have taken for granted the moral authority of the popes and

their teachings. By examining one at a time the encyclicals and councils of the

popes, and setting them against history and theology (including that written by

such Roman Catholics as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Cardinal Newman,

and Lord " power corrupts " Acton--and, oh yes, the holy scriptures), Wills

challenges his readers to examine their own beliefs, to abandon what Thomas

Aquinas called " cultivated ignorance, " ignorantia affectata, " an ignorance so

useful that one protects it, keeps it from the light, in order to continue using

it " (Wills 9). Wills argues that the intellectual honesty called for by modern

science, academic inquiry, and general education (modern here meaning primarily

since the Age of Reason into the current era) is not well served by faithful

Catholics accepting handed-down doctrines unquestioningly.

 

Wills focuses on issues as seemingly diverse as contraception and abortion, the

canonization and use of saints, gay priests, masturbation, the idolatry of Mary

and the concurrent rejection of the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, and

papal infallibility. He makes a strong case that the popes have increasingly

supported its decisions with bad logic, bad theology, bad exegesis, and bad

faith with its faithful-as-Church, rather than challenging the authority of the

papacy-as-Church.

 

My faith has been cracked open by Wills arguments. I intend to do considerable

further study and prayer to decide whether I can continue in an institution that

has shown such disregard for the truth it is sworn to protect.

 

 

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Flawed... but still a compelling, important read, Jul 5 2004

By " jimbabkajr " (OH, USA)

 

Garry Wills' " Papal Sin: Structures of Deceit " is a riveting, important read.

The book is about truth and the all-too-frequent lies of the top leadership of

the Roman Church. The book is full of scholarly notes, and it is obvious that

Wills is a well-read and intelligent man, as well as a compelling writer.

The book is well-worth reading. I could not put it down.

 

Wills is creating his own Inferno here. And much of the critique is

well-deserved.

 

But research can be twisted to your own ends - especially in a book on truth.

This Wills does. He separates pepper from fly poop in reviewing canonization

claims under Pope John Paul II. He uses indirect, even tortured evidence that

contradicts the plain reading of scripture to make the case for homosexuals in

the priesthood. His case for women in the priesthood caricatures the traditional

view - essentially setting up a straw man to defeat.

 

Wills also demonstrates an unwavering faith in the flawed techniques of modern

textual criticism - always (even knee-jerkingly) choosing the latest dates for

authorship of New Testament writings and accepting the most liberal,

anti-miraculous explanations of those Biblical events.

 

He can also be irritating. He was overly critical of Popes who stood for a

position they believed in. In fact, much of the book is a set-up in that his

real target is the current Pope John Paul II. And though he claims to advocate

conscience, he can be frequently caught decrying it in the papacy. And most

egregious of all, he absolutely opposes the proselytizing of Jews, seeing it as

an act of anti-Semitism.

 

Lest you think I overstate this final point, check out his telling of the story

of Edith Stein (particularly page 50 in the hardcover), and then ask yourself,

" If you had the Truth wouldn't you want to persuade others of it? " This is not

anti-Semitism, but love.

 

But for all those shortcomings, the book is still filled with important

information. And Wills has such a great writing style that a relative novice to

the subject matter could still dive in and follow along; which is perhaps the

best reason to recommend this book.

 

Wills' marshaling of evidence from early church fathers was especially

impressive and convincing. Augustine, in particular - the subject of a previous

work by the author - is presented in such an interesting way that I want to get

to know him better. And it is obvious that the prolific Father Raymond Brown is

also a large influence on Willis.

 

But what Wills got right, boy did he get right. I learned a ton from the

sections that dealt with the sexual abuse scandals and the ensuing cover-ups.

 

And Wills even changed my mind on a subject I'd been struggling with - a topic I

had done some serious research on.

 

So what, in my opinion, did Wills get right?

 

The most shocking part of the book dealt with the sex scandals. There's a

serious problem here that the church is refusing to confront.

 

The evidence presented against the celibacy of the priesthood, and the

non-existence of the priesthood in the early church, are both right on the mark.

Going one step further, the priesthood is shrinking dramatically. Wills not only

blames celibacy (wrongly, in my opinion), but the very method by which priests

are selected, which he demonstrates is in contradiction to the practice of

choosing a pastor as it was done in the early patristic period.

 

The replacements and diminishment of the Holy Spirit, both in a monarchy of the

Pope and the elevation of Mary are well-covered. Wills demonstrates bravery in

stating the true gender of the Holy Spirit, and depth of understanding in

showing how this confusion has aided-and-abetted distorted doctrine. For

example, this denial has aided in the elevation of Mary's status to well-beyond

disciple, the role demonstrated in scripture. Wills shows that it is the rise of

Mary that was used as the foil to make the Pope infallible - an innovation that

is only a century-and-a-half old.

 

In making these points Wills introduces the reader to Pope Pius IX. Pius IX is

an especially interesting character in the book. His criminal behavior and

eccentricities are the stuff of good novels, and thanks to Wills' story-telling

style I found myself wanting to learn more about him as well.

 

There are other points that my mind could not yet fully digest. Wills' take on

the sacrament serves as an example.

 

Even if you hate everything Wills stands for, you cannot honestly deny his

writing ability. In fact, I'd hate to be stuck on the other side of an argument

with him. However, I was left wondering, why is Wills a Catholic? He very

clearly disagrees with many of the traditional Catholic distinctives.

 

Maybe if you read this book, you'll be able to answer that question.