David J Galusha

The Church At The Crossroads David J Galusha

A critical historical/theological view of where the Catholic Church in America is headed, and concrete suggestions for the directions it must take to get back on the right path for the future. History indicates that all religions undergo reform roughly every half millennium, and Catholicism is no exception. Recent developments point to a revolution in our time. Religious anthropologists point to extreme priestcraft as the factor that brings religions to their "tipping point". Although not a familiar term for Christians, "priestcraft" receives a thorough treatment here, with numerous examples from our own time that clearly represent this negative factor in the Church. Priestcraft robs the laity of their dignity and leads to an unhealthy caste system in Catholicism, just as it does in every other faith. Historically, the objective of reform is to a return to the basics of monotheistic religious traditions and a rejection of less important traditions that are the trappings of priestcraft. Using the sacramental traditions of the Church and their origins, Galusha offers examples of what authentic Catholic worship and outreach ought to be. The book also includes personal experiences and anecdotes which help illustrate the author's thesis. The Church At the Crossroads is not an invitation to abandon the Church for its shortcomings, but a help in discussing a rationale for renewal and a blueprint for creating a structure for welcoming back those millions who have already left.