Cardinal Joseph Siri. Gethsemane: The Origins and Rise of the Intellectual Revolution in the Church. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $19.95. Ebook $9.99. Available from the publisher.
“What is an event? Commonly understood it is something that occurs. In our times avid for sensation, it is what surprises. In saying that the publication of Cardinal Siri’s book on the contemporary theological movement is an event, I mean to say that this publication is an important landmark. It is going to mark, it already marks, the history of contemporary thought, and as a matter of fact, the history of the contemporary Church,” reviewed Marcel Clement in “L’Homme Nouveau.”
Many Catholics grew up with confused notions of who Christ is, how to interpret Sacred Scripture, and erroneous ideas about basic teachings.
In this recently reprinted classic, Cardinal Siri—upholder of traditional teachings and a frequent candidate for the papacy—clarifies the teaching of theologians such as Henri de Lubac, Jacques Maritain, Karl Rahner, and Hans Kung.
It’s no secret that we live in a culture that encourages us to find our own truth (as long as it is what the media believes) and where more concern is placed on respect for trees than the human person. Cardinal Siri’s words provide an important reference and reality check, however, and remind us of what is authentic and how to restore the right order of things.
“A feeling of great desolation arises in every man when he begins to perceive the vast mystification which has been brought about by means of language-games torturing the reason and the heart, in the realm of philosophy and transmission of doctrine,” Cardinal Siri reflects. Words like “Absolute,” “anthropology,” and “profane” are obscured.
Readers will discover why it is essential to uphold Divine Revelation in both Sacred Scripture and Tradition, as well as the doctrines of the Church.
“It must be read. One must have others read it. It must be given,” emphasizes Marcel Clement. “The most beautiful pages must be emphasized and made known. That is at least the conviction which has risen in me after having slowly meditated it, line by line, from one end to the other. The L’Osservatore Romano devoted an entire page to a review of this book by Raimondo Spiazzi. It is a supplementary guarantee of the significance of a work which concerns not only a single diocese or a single country, but the universal Church.” (Marcel Clement)
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Gethsemane: The Origins and Rise of the Intellectual Revolution in the Church, and/or to schedule an interview with their spokesperson.
