Cardinal Sins - Hardcover

Greeley, Andrew M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0491029950 ISBN 13: 9780491029957

Publisher: W.H. Allen / Virgin Books, 1981

Synopsis

A candid and controversial look at the hearts and souls of two very different Catholic priests, "The Cardinal Sins" ignited a sensation when it first appeared nearly thirty years ago. Selling more than three million copies, it resided for fifty-two weeks on the "New York Times" bestseller list and launched Andrew M. Greeley's career as one of America's most popular storytellers. Today, this powerful saga of ambition, temptation, and love both spiritual and carnal, remains as timely and provocative as ever. Spanning decades, "The Cardinal Sins" tells the story of two close friends whose pursuit of God sends them down separate paths, and of the spirited, independent women who love them in profoundly different ways. Kevin Brennan and Patrick Donahue enter the seminary together, but their lives soon diverge dramatically. Intellectual and independent, Kevin often finds himself at odds with his superiors in the Church. And his unwavering principles threaten to cut him off from those closest to him- including the former sweetheart he has never forgotten. By contrast, Patrick rises steadily through the Church hierarchy, only to fall prey to the temptations of lust and power. As his inner demons, and hidden scandals, threaten to destroy the lives of everyone around him, it's up to his oldest friend to save him from himself-and foil a conspiracy that could change the very future of the Papacy!

About this title

Review

Sprightly . . . scandalous. Father Greeley's narrative seethes with temptations yielded to at the drop of a clerical collar, and his ecclesiastical sizzler makes a splendid yarn. "Cosmopolitan" Startlingly honest. Thirty years ago, a priest would have been excommunicated for writing such a book. Three hundred years ago, he would have been burned at the stake. "Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author""

About the Author

Priest, sociologist, author and journalist, Father Andrew M. Greeley built an international assemblage of devout fans over a career spanning five decades. His books include the Bishop Blackie Ryan novels, including "The Archbishop in Andalusia," the Nuala Anne McGrail novels, including "Irish Tweed," and "The Cardinal Virtues." He was the author of over 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of non-fiction, and his writing has been translated into 12 languages.Father Greeley was a Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and a Research Associate with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. In addition to scholarly studies and popular fiction, for many years he penned a weekly column appearing in the "Chicago Sun-Times" and other newspapers. He was also a frequent contributor to "The New York Times," the "National Catholic Reporter," "America "and "Commonweal," and was interviewed regularly on national radio and television. He authored hundreds of articles on sociological topics, ranging from school desegregation to elder sex to politics and the environment.Throughout his priesthood, Father Greeley unflinchingly urged his beloved Church to become more responsive to evolving concerns of Catholics everywhere. His clear writing style, consistent themes and celebrity stature made him a leading spokesperson for generations of Catholics. He chronicled his service to the Church in two autobiographies, "Confessions of a Parish Priest" and "Furthermore!"In 1986, Father Greeley established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese with a minority student body of more than 50 percent. In 1984, he contributed a $1 million endowment to establish a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He also funded an annual lecture series, "The Church in Society," at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, from which he received his S.T.L. in 1954.Father Greeley received many honors and awards, including honorary degrees from the National University of Ireland at Galway, the University of Arizona and Bard College. A Chicago native, he earned his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1962 from the University of Chicago.Father Greeley was a penetrating student of popular culture, deeply engaged with the world around him, and a lifelong Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls, Bears and the Cubs. Born in 1928, he died in May 2013 at the age of 85.

About this edition

• Publisher: W.H. Allen / Virgin Books
• Publication date: 1981
• ISBN 10: 0491029950
• ISBN 13: 9780491029957
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352