cover image Expressions of the Catholic Faith

Expressions of the Catholic Faith

Kevin Orlin Johnson. Ballantine Books, $22 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-345-38116-3

Johnson's title may lead readers to expect a volume that explains Catholicism's unique rites, symbols and beliefs to believers of other traditions. Not so. The book is, instead, an apologia for many Catholic traditions-the denial of ordinations to women, a celibate clergy, etc.-and addresses the reform issues that currently fracture the Catholic Church. Protestants, in fact, may be offended by Johnson's frequent reference to them as ``separated Christians,'' a pre-Vatican II term that implies that Catholicism bears no responsibility for Christian disunity. Johnson offers lucid-and downright chatty-explanations of a dizzying array of customs and beliefs, ably demonstrating why diocesan newspapers across the country have picked up his column, ``Sign of Faith.'' This volume will likely appeal most to those same readers. (Sept.)