John Wijngaards’s book, Christ’s Idea of Authority in the Church, is a guidebook intended for group discussions with a “synodal approach” in mind, i.e. not to be a debate on issues but rather a sharing of ideas with deep listening to one another. Broken down into twenty-eight topics, chapters range in various aspects of effective use of power and authority. It is well designed to enhance reflections on topics that can ultimately lead pastor and people to reform within their church community.
Review by Rene Reid on Catholic Church Reform International, 18 October 2023
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“John proposes that the authority which Jesus gives to his community included the power to forgive sins and to preside at the Eucharist. From this viewpoint he questions the superior dignity usually given inappropriately to clerics. He gently pulls apart the misunderstandings often created by literal interpretations of the Gospel that were never intended by the writers. He shows an acute awareness of how outdated religious imagery is problematic when attempting to engage an increasingly educated congregation. His meditations on the approach of Jesus to each important issue will likely lead the reader to think about the nature of God, possibly even to provoking a revision of some previously unreflective assumptions.”
Review by John Buggy STL, BSW (Hons) in ARCVoice, March 2024
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“Wijngaards takes the reader through a series of very accessible meditations on Christ’s words and deeds as they should apply to contemporary situations where skewed notions of Church authority have created barriers to Christ’s love. His unpretentious belief in the possibility of and the need for a “different sort of authority” chimes exactly with the spiritual zeitgeist of the People of God in these synodal times. In fact the insights and suggestions he offers would not look out of place as the basis for a truly dynamic agenda for the Synod of Bishops to be held in Rome in October 2024. There is no better vademecum, no better road map to a holier Christ centred Church for those of us journeying, listening and discerning our way through Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality.”
Review in the National Catholic Reporter, 27 February 2024
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“John Wijngaards provides us with his pastoral reflections on the use and abuse of authority within the Catholic Church. John Wijngaards is precious to us because he is not afraid to give voice to his prophetic message. His little book provides training for how to spot and how to deal with common abuses of church authority. I come away encouraged and supported in tackling those abuses that have come my way. I’m quite certain that this little book will do the same for you.
Read it. Discuss it with trusted friends. Pray for yourself and for those who are healing. Give copies during the time of this Advent to those harmed by abuses of ecclesial power.”
Review by Prof Aaron Milavec on La Croix International, 13 December 2023
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The aim of the book is to illustrate to the People of God the need for reform. The exercise of authority by the leaders of the Church is central to reforms beginning with the Pope, to the Bishops Conferences, Bishops and priests. Wijngaards stresses the importance of recognizing the ‘Sense of the Faithful’ as well as their voice of prophesy in this process. He asserts “The educated Laity manifest their own strong opinions on what is right and what is wrong in Church practice. Church leaders should give full weight to this as it may reveal the ‘sense of faith’, the ultimate source of the Church’s inerrancy.”
Review by Virginia Saldanha on MATTERS INDIA, 20 October 2023
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“I loved so many things about this book, which were, first, the way the author started each chapter. I loved the way he started the chapters with scriptures from the Bible, which gave me an understanding of what he was to talk about in that chapter. I also loved the little comic section each chapter had, where cartoon images showed in a hilarious way the defects of the church. I really liked the way it was presented. Then, I loved reading his stories, where he narrated his experiences and the defects he had witnessed in the church. It gave me a little glimpse of his life, and I loved that. I also appreciated the question section; it made me feel inclusive as a reader, which was very thoughtful of the author.”
Review by Clauson Justin on Book Club Online, 24 November 2023
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I obtained John Wijngaards’ latest book, Christ’s Idea of Authority in the Church. I went through it from A to Z. I followed his suggestion to read only one chapter a day, though I could hardly wait till the next day to read the following one. Each of the short 28 chapters begins with a quotation from Sacred Scripture: all, except Chapter 9, from one of the Gospels. The book is faithful to its title and keeps Christ and the exegesis of his words about authority central. Each chapter has an amusing cartoon and a relevant incident from John’s life, before offering us a scholarly reflection based on his knowledge of S. Scripture and the history of the Church.
Review by Fr John Taylor on Millhillmissionaries.com 12 October 2023
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A concise book from a long-time Catholic reformer and theologian. It’s a well-structured and very accessible series of reflections on how best to exercise authority in the Catholic Church, which compares the current arrangements with what Jesus said and did on the topic, as well as with stories drawn from the author’s personal experience.
Review by Dr Luca Badini Confalonieri on Equality for Women in the Catholic Church, 27 September 2023
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“Every reform-minded Catholic should read this book, not so much to follow how 28 forms of authority have been used and abused, but more to find that a road is possible between two rock-hard conflicting positions. John Wijngaards makes you think – by closing each chapter with questions for reflection. Without mentioning them, he recognises two adamant beliefs facing each other, bishops faithful to tradition on the one side and critical Catholics on the other. The latter continue to publicly propose to reform the feudal system, the first are convinced that those reforms will lead to disaster.”
Review by Ed Schreurs on LIBRIS, 16 January 2024
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“John Wijngaards has published numerous works of spirituality, theology, on the reform of the Church. He is the initiator of a draft constitution of the Catholic Church written in the context of the Synod. In his latest work, the author analyzes the various aspects of the exercise of authority by the Catholic Church as institution. Since the Roman Empire, the history of the Church shows that, over the centuries, authoritarian practices unrelated to the message of Jesus have grafted themselves up as ugly horrible accretions on the life and the laws of the Institution.”
Review by Jean-Pierre Schmitz on PARVIS, January 2024
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The book invites its readers to seek reforms. The booklet contains 28 brief chapters. Some of the titles of chapters are “Power to forgive sins,” “The authority to liberate,” “The authority of women,” “The authority of the Catholic sense of faith,” “No ministry to enjoy luxury,” “Authority Reform – women deacons.”
The entire book provides excellent challenging information with logical questions leading the readers to appropriate actions. I strongly recommend this book to focus our actions on reforms needed in the Catholic Church.
Review by David Stronck in SEMNET, 27 January 2024
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“Fascinating, useful document, a blueprint for how to go about a careful, considerate process of change in the Church. Aspects of it have been addressed through the synod so far, but there is much more to do.
John Wijngaards has provided a fascinating insight into his own varied and full life, and some original insights into familiar gospel stories. There are the delightful cartoons from Tom Adcock as well, and the truly challenging questions, especially the final one in each chapter – ‘What can you do about this?’ A book to share, revisit and act upon. Truly thought and action-provoking. Thank you John!”
Review by Dr Joanna Waller on GOODREADS, 15 January 2024
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