Has anyone read the series of books on the Church, particularly on the priesthood, written by Micheal Rose? What are your thoughts on these books?

-- GoodNews (NoMail@nomail.com), May 24, 2002

Answers

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-- 123456 (*@*.*), May 24, 2002.

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-- Anon (**@*.*), May 24, 2002.

I have specifically read them, but have read many discussions of them, including many articles and reviews in the "Wanderer" newspaper. The books include "Renovation Manipulation," "Ugly as Sin," and "Goodbye, Good Men." I'd have to say that from what I've read, he is right on target.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), May 24, 2002.

Michael Rose is one of those folks who is more Catholic than the pope. His faith is one of negatives.....don't do this, don't do that, don't go there, and bitch about everything that's wrong. I used to be a fan of his, but no more. He's just another whitewashed tomb IMHO.

-- Jaleel (nope@nunya.net), May 25, 2002.

"Ugly as Sin" is a thoughtful though badly written book on the attack of modernity on the most sacred of places--the churches. There are definite standards in our definitions of good and bad art; it is not solely a matter of opinion. As Dietrich von Hildebrand said that values are not solely subjectively satisfying but IMPORTANT IN THEMSELVES. Hence in architecture the values of Beauty, Order and Proportion elevate us to a trancendence which is independent of us and in which is transmitted to us by the intrinsically and objectively good.

The 20th century "dadaist" attack on art is rife with the nihilist elements of subjectivism, rationalism, radical dualism and anti- traditionlism; all of which wish to sweep away the miraculous, supernatural and prophetic from our churches and replace them with what is worldly, banal and abstract.

Catholics have a moral duty to do all they can to learn for themselves and inform others as to the proper guidelines for reverent places of worship that effect authentic images through material mediums of the mystery, high solemnity and majesty of the teachings and mysticism of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

One book I recommend is John Ruskin's "Seven Lamps of Architecture".

-- raymond paul jones (ray@ravenmechanical.com), January 07, 2003.

Has anyone(B.S.D.) read these books, and if so what is your opinion?

-- + (.@......), December 20, 2003.

T: I have heard of them and read excerpts from a couple (quite a while ago). But I don't have a firm opinion. I think that Skoobouy (a seminarian) criticized some inaccuracies in "Goodbye, Good Men" several months ago. BSD

-- (B@S.D), December 20, 2003.