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In the Closet of the Vatican
In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy | Frederic Martel
6 posts | 2 read | 4 to read
The New York Times Bestseller '[An] earth-shaking expos of clerical corruption' - National Catholic Reporter In the Closet of the Vatican exposes the rot at the heart of the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church today. This brilliant piece of investigative writing is based on four years' authoritative research, including extensive interviews with those in power. The celibacy of priests, the condemnation of the use of contraceptives, the cover up of countless cases of sexual abuse, the resignation of Benedict XVI, misogyny among the clergy, the dramatic fall in Europe of the number of vocations to the priesthood, the plotting against Pope Francis all these issues are clouded in mystery and secrecy. In the Closet of the Vatican is a book that reveals these secrets and penetrates this enigma. It derives from a system founded on a clerical culture of secrecy which starts in junior seminaries and continues right up to the Vatican itself. It is based on the double lives of priests and on extreme homophobia. The resulting schizophrenia in the Church is hard to fathom. But the more a prelate is homophobic, the more likely it is that he is himself gay. 'Behind rigidity there is always something hidden, in many cases a double life'. These are the words of Pope Francis himself and with them the Pope has unlocked the Closet. No one can claim to really understand the Catholic Church today until they have read this book. It reveals a truth that is extraordinary and disturbing.
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jenniferw88
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4 1/2 ⭐

I thought this would be 5 ⭐, but the frequent mentions of 'when I was researching this book' (or similar) took me out of the story, which is disappointing. The last 2 parts aren't as interesting as the first two as well, but still a pick!

But it does #pridebook, #onaudio & #bookintranslation for #summerfun @4thhouseontheleft @StayCurious

Also #vaticancity #readingeurope2020 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Librarybelle That would be annoying! 4y
BarbaraBB You ticked off quite a few prompts! 4y
alisiakae Great job knocking off a few prompts with one book! 4y
78 likes3 comments
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jenniferw88
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#bookreport week 13/6/20 @Cinfhen

Finished Climate Justice
Continued S & S
Started tagged
Got a little bit further in The Girl Who Played With Fire!

Cinfhen Yay!!! You‘re doing some serious heavy reading 4y
Chrissyreadit I am very interested what you think of tagged book. 4y
jenniferw88 @Cinfhen tagged is audio - I've got just under 12 hours left! 4y
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jenniferw88 @Chrissyreadit it's VERY interesting - hard to stop listening at times! It's reminding me of one of my BA lecturers though as he is gay but initially wanted to be a priest. The amount of gay/not-straight/questioning priests etc in the Vatican is making me wonder why he didn't do it (although I'm quite glad he didn't join, as I wouldn't have an MA in 18th century studies & unable to help with #PemberLittens). He made me fascinated in the era! 4y
jenniferw88 @Chrissyreadit I realise that one reason must be because of the time period he grew up in! 4y
Chrissyreadit I suspect (with no science or background) that there is a specific reason so many members of Priesthood are gay- for generations it was common to have a priest in the family. I bet it was often pushed on a boy who was “suspected” of being gay to prevent him from engaging in homosexual sex, or keep him from being gay. It may be the boy chose it himself because homosexuality was so frowned on. Like “praying the gay away”. I left being Catholic 4y
Chrissyreadit Behind partly because of its stance on homosexuality. There are still many traditions I love, but I have no regrets. Especially since my daughter is bisexual. I would never want her to feel bad about being true to herself. But my moms generation might have pushed her to be a nun or find a man. (She is dating a girl currently). 4y
jenniferw88 @Chrissyreadit ❤ another bisexual here! yeah, your reason 'keep him from being gay' is mentioned in the first part of the book. 😘 4y
jenniferw88 @Chrissyreadit ps I think you'd really enjoy this book - it really is fascinating! 4y
Velvetfur @jenniferw88 That book does sound fascinating, I'll have to stack it - I've always been so curious about the Vatican but never got around to looking into it much! I loved the TV series 'The Young Pope' and an currently watching the next series 'The New Pope', what did you think of them? Oh and @Chrissyreadit I agree with everything you said! 🙂 4y
jenniferw88 @Velvetfur I haven't watched either! We only have Sky in my house. 4y
Velvetfur @jenniferw88 It's on Sky Atlantic (I watch it on the Sky Go app on my tablet), 'The Young Pope' is the first series and you should be able to still find it on catch up 🙂 It's great, it reveals a lot about the politics of the Vatican (as I imagine it anyway). 😁 4y
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jenniferw88
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#audiocoloured to this book this morning!

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Tove_Reads
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Such an interesting read. Not sure I believe everything, but he has done extensive research and interviewed many, many people. I do believe that everyone has a right to believe in whatever they believe in, even though I am not a fan of organized religion. Strangely enough I have friends from different faiths from all over the world. Never been a problem 🙂 I am very interested in religions in general.

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Verity
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Spotted in the bookshop. Has anyone read this one? Looks interesting. I went to a play about the papacy and the RC church last week and I‘m interested in reading some more - just not in rank speculation. Is this what I‘m looking for?

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Tove_Reads
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I know some people avoid this subject, but I am not one of them! A new book, and it has gotten great reviews! Just borrowed it, so I‘ll most definitely read it soon.

Chrissyreadit This was a topic that has long been needed to be in the open and addressed. 5y
Tove_Reads @crissyreads Way overdue! 5y
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