Reviews

Father Andrew Greeleyauthor of "The Catholic Myth"Berry and Renner properly trace the basic cause of the sexual abuse crisis to the Church's historic obsession -- at the very highest levels -- with secrecy. The propensity to stonewall, cover-up, and deceive "for the good of the church" seems irresistible even in an age in which, as the Lord said, that which is whispered in the closets is proclaimed from the housetop. Readers will find it a fascinating account.

Rev. Richard P. McBrienCrowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame, and author of "Catholicism" "Vows of Silence" is one of the most important books to appear on the current sexual-abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. This is a detailed, carefully documented work, consistent with the highest standards of journalism. The authors lay the blame squarely on the papacy of John Paul II, who appointed the bishops who mishandled the crisis and who protected and openly promoted those, like Fr. Maciel, the founder of the cult-like Legion of Christ, who are key to understanding its acute harmfulness and worldwide scope.

Robert Blair Kaiserauthor of "Clerical Error" and contributing editor for "Newsweek" at the VaticanA fascinating fact-filled account that tells us we cannot trust our bishops -- not even the pope -- to spearhead the kind of reform that will make the hierarchy accountable to the "lower-archy." Berry and Renner show us villains aplenty in this narrative, but they also introduce a marvelous, truth-telling priest-hero named Tom Doyle -- who may stand for all the great priests we know who do not make any headlines, but do make a difference.

Thomas Powersauthor of "Intelligence Wars: American Secret History from Hitler to Al Qaeda"No intelligence organization is as wrapped in secrecy as the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, and nothing inspires silence in the Vatican more than scandal involving priests and sex. The story that unfolds in "Vows Of Silence" is carefully documented by two veteran reporters -- both Catholics -- who penetrated the defenses of the Vatican to give us a powerful account of failures about which church authorities never wanted anyone to know.

Carl M. CannonWhite House correspondent for "National Journal""Vows of Silence" is a must read -- investigative journalism at its best, tracking abuses that were decades in the making and go far beyond the American clergy, with responsibility at the highest levels of the Vatican. Jason Berry and Gerald Renner are tough-minded, but fair; the book is painstakingly researched, beautifully written and gives sweeping historical context on issues of specific, current relevance. If this were fiction, it would be a chilling narrative. Alas, it's contemporary human history, brought to you by the two American authors who know more about this subject than anyone else writing about it.