Peter Hebblethwaite (1930–1994)

It is interesting to relive history, in the context of journalism, when the election of a non-Italian Pope was fresh surprising news. The behind-the-scenes revelations, and guesses, about the two conclaves were also interesting. Comments about the papacy, its history and theology, form the last chapter. I was struck by the author's interpretation (p. 200) of the Church: "Instead of the image of a pyramid with the pope [author does not capitalize] at its apex and the laity way down at the base... an interlocking network of local churches all in communion with each other .. [and] in communion with the Bishop of Rome." This is in fact a network model with the Pope as, very appropriately, the server; and it does accord with the sensus fidei in that the faithful feel a close relationship to their Holy Father.… (mehr)

Pope Paul VI was a pivotal figure in Roman Catholic history, presiding over most of the Second Vatican Council as well as the turbulent decade which followed. In the popular mind, he has perhaps been remembered primarily as the pope who issued Humanae Vitae, the encyclical which re-affirmed the Church's opposition to artificial methods of birth control. Yet he did much more than that, and Hebblethwaite's subtitle, 'The First Modern Pope', does seem justified. If he was criticized for Humanae Vitae by the liberal wing of the Church, he was also attacked bitterly by conservatives who thought he had permitted too much change. As Pope he tried to steer a middle path, holding fast to what he saw as the essentials of the faith while implementing the program of 'aggiornamiento' shaped by the Council. Paul VI was also an important witness for peace in the modern world.

Hebblethwaite does an admirable job with the mountain of pertinent source material. At times, however, he does not seem to have a very good grasp of some of the theological issues and nuances that were important to Paul and the rest of the Church at the time, leading to questionable and heavy-handed comments in places. But the book is useful for the basic facts of the life and work of Paul VI. It is worth reading, especially if you are interested in Vatican II and the changes and controversies it left in its wake.… (mehr)