Description
Book SynopsisThis volume is the first major study of the papacy as a managerial structure that has evolved over two thousand years. Special emphasis is placed on the environments in which the Church functioned and in which it had to reach uneasy compromises. The volume is both scholarly and very readable.
Trade ReviewFaith and Leadership is a useful volume for students of the papacy and modern church history, particularly in its later chapters . . . In particular, the author’s treatments of Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, and Paul VI were very balanced, informative, contextualized, and certainly fulfilled the author’s original intent. * The Catholic Historical Review *
Riccards’ sweep of papal history is a valuable resource on the factors that have sustained the Papacy for almost 2000 years. I found his integration of critical issues, which have persisted in various expressions over the centuries, is an impressive strength of this work. His style of writing is clear, compelling, and accessible. -- James F. Brennan, Provost, The Catholic University of America
With all my Catholic schooling, from Sisters of St. Joseph to Jesuits, I never received the complete Catholic education Michael Riccards has given me in Faith and Leadership. From little-known facts to a thorough accounting of the life and work of John Paul II, I knew I was reading an accomplished historian with the instincts of a novelist. Forget your Da Vinci Code and read about the real mysteries of Roman Catholic leadership by a master writer. -- John A. DeSando, Franklin University
Riccards weaves the intricate and intriguing story of the Catholic church attempting to adapt to changing time periods throughout history. In this well-written book, he explores the papacy as a management structure. This should be required reading for all those interested in world history, theology, and management studies. -- Graydon Tunstall, University of South Florida
Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Primitive Church Chapter 2: From Bishop to Pope (Peter to Leo the Great, 500 A.D.) Chapter 3: The Threats to Orthodoxy Chapter 4: Beyond the End of the Empire, 500–800 Chapter 5: The Medieval Papacy Looks East Chapter 6: Abuses and Reform, 800–1000 Chapter 7: The Papal Monarchy, 1000–1500 Chapter 8: The Worldly Popes Chapter 9: The Protestant Reformation Chapter 10: The Timidity of Reform Chapter 11: The Catholic Reformation Chapter 12: The Council as a Reform Movement Chapter 13: Religious Wars and Religious Repression Chapter 14: The Enlightenment Chapter 15: The Church Confronts the Leviathan Chapter 16: The Church and the Ancien Regime Chapter 17: The Emperor’s Attack on the Papacy Chapter 18: Pius IX: The First Modern Pope Chapter 19: Leo XIII: The Soul of the Industrial State Chapter 20: Pius X: Moods of Piety and Repression Chapter 21: Benedict XV and the Mad Dogs of War Chapter 22: Pius XI and the New Men of Violence Chapter 23: Pius XII and the Spiritual Twilight of the West Chapter 24: John XXII and the Promise of Aggiornamento Chapter 25: Paul VI: The Perils of Aggiornamento Chapter 26: John Paul II: The Uneasy Agenda of Restoration Postscript: Benedict XVI Conclusion
