Full size book cover of In the Courts of Three Popes: An American Lawyer and Diplomat in the Last Absolute Monarchy of the West}

In the Courts of Three Popes: An American Lawyer and Diplomat in the Last Absolute Monarchy of the West

Mary Ann Glendon

4.13(47 readers)
A rare firsthand account of the three popes who worked to modernize the Catholic Church—and to evangelize the modern world—f rom a renowned international lawyer, Harvard law professor, and former ambassador to the Vatican

For twenty centuries, the Catholic Church has radically shaped world history—and survived it. In the decades following the Second Vatican Council, three popes have carried forward this legacy, striving to lead the Church and its governing body—the last absolute monarchy of the West—into the modern world.

With In the Courts of Three Popes, accomplished diplomat, international lawyer, and Harvard professor Mary Ann Glendon gives readers a rare inside look at the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. She shares her role in key developments in the Church’s recent history, like the Church entering the third millennium, in Pope John Paul II’s words, on its knees in penance for failures such as clergy sex abuse, or in leading the way for lay women to hold positions of power in the Church. Glendon illuminates the issues vexing the Church the place of faith in secular politics, relating the Church to other religions, clericalism and the power of laypeople, and corruption at the Vatican Bank and within the Roman Curia.

Glendon provides a one-of-a-kind analysis of the inner workings of the Holy See, showing readers that, despite its many failings, the Catholic Church is a living, breathing community. Behind the Church’s doctrines and policies and institutions lie people, personalities, aspirations, and relationships that still promise to transform lives.

Publisher

Image

Publication Date

2/20/2024

ISBN

9780593443750

Pages

240

Categories

History

About the Author

Portrait of author Mary Ann Glendon
Mary Ann Glendon
Mary Ann Glendon is the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and a former United States Ambassador to the Holy See. She teaches and writes on bioethics, comparative constitutional law, property, and human rights in international law.

Questions & Answers

The role of the laity within the Catholic Church has significantly evolved, particularly under the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. Mary Ann Glendon's experiences illustrate this evolution.

John Paul II, through initiatives like the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, encouraged lay involvement in the Church's social teachings, fostering a more active role in the secular sphere. Benedict XVI continued this trend, emphasizing the importance of the laity in the new evangelization and appointing laypeople to significant positions. Francis, with his reform of the Curia, expanded lay participation further, allowing laypeople to lead certain departments.

These popes also addressed challenges such as the sex abuse crisis and the need for better communication with modern society. The laity's role expanded from supporting the clergy to actively participating in the Church's mission, especially in areas like social justice and human rights. Glendon's experiences reflect this shift, highlighting the increasing importance of laypeople in shaping the Church's response to contemporary issues.

The Vatican faced significant challenges and opportunities during the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, each requiring unique responses.

John Paul II navigated the post-Vatican II era, dealing with rapid social and cultural changes, including the rise of secularism and the breakdown of traditional norms. He emphasized the Church's role in promoting human rights and fostering dialogue with other religions. His pontificate was marked by apologies for past Church actions and a push for a "new evangelization."

Benedict XVI focused on the challenges of relativism and the need for a deeper understanding of faith and reason. He worked to reform ecclesiastical structures and address the sex abuse crisis, emphasizing truth, humility, and repentance. His pontificate also saw efforts to strengthen the Church's engagement with the modern world.

Francis brought a focus on reforming the Vatican bureaucracy and addressing financial and administrative issues, including the Vatican Bank scandal. He emphasized the importance of simplicity, humility, and serving the poor. His pontificate has been marked by a call for a more inclusive Church and a push for environmental and social justice. Each pope responded to the challenges of their time with a combination of theological reflection, administrative reforms, and outreach to the modern world.

Mary Ann Glendon's personal background, shaped by her Catholic upbringing and her experiences as a lawyer and academic, significantly influenced her perspective on the papal courts and the Catholic Church. Her involvement in Catholic social thought, particularly through her work with the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, allowed her to bridge the gap between theology and the social sciences, fostering a nuanced understanding of the Church's role in contemporary society. Her service with the Holy See, including leading the delegation to the Beijing Women's Conference, exposed her to the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of advocating for Catholic values on the global stage. Her experiences also highlighted the evolving role of the laity within the Church, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the Church's mission. Glendon's perspective is marked by a commitment to the Church's social teachings, a desire to see them applied in the modern world, and a call for the laity to engage actively in the Church's work.

The Vatican's engagement with international issues like human rights, environmental law, and women's rights significantly impacts both the global community and the Church's mission. By advocating for human rights, the Vatican promotes universal values that resonate globally, influencing international policies and norms. Its stance on environmental law underscores the importance of stewardship, encouraging sustainable practices worldwide. The Church's support for women's rights challenges traditional gender roles, fostering equality and social justice.

For the Catholic Church, these engagements reinforce its mission of evangelization by demonstrating its commitment to social justice and moral leadership. By addressing global challenges, the Church connects faith with action, attracting followers and influencing secular societies. However, these efforts also necessitate navigating complex cultural and political landscapes, requiring the Church to balance its traditional teachings with contemporary global concerns.

Mary Ann Glendon's "In the Courts of Three Popes" contributes significantly to the conversation about the future of the Catholic Church by offering an insider's perspective on the challenges and adaptations faced during the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. The book highlights the evolving role of the laity, particularly in the context of Vatican II's call for a "new springtime of Christian life." Glendon's experiences with the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and her work on human rights demonstrate the Church's engagement with contemporary issues, including globalization, democracy, and social justice. The book also addresses the challenges of priestly sexual abuse and financial corruption, emphasizing the need for reform and transparency. By reflecting on the papacies and the changing cultural landscape, Glendon's work encourages a dialogue on how the Church can effectively respond to modern challenges while maintaining its core teachings and values.

Reader Reviews

Loading comments...