Aching Heart-Burning Soul: Surviving Catholicism

In story and essay Virginia A.Ward paints vivid pictures of the impact of growing up Catholic and goes on todocument the obscure origins of the dogma, ritual and practice embedded in thestories she tells.¿ She discusses thedivinity of Jesus, and the virginity of Mary.¿She examines the issues of clerical sexual abuse of children, Catholiceducation, the crisis in vocations, and the politicizing of sainthood.¿ She traces the development of the Irishcharacter of the American Church,and documents the hierarchy's obsession with sexual issues, as well as itsongoing bigotry.¿ Infallibility, itsorigins and how the fear of loss of authority has affected the Church's stanceon a wide range of issues including birth control, married priests, and theplace of women in the Church are chronicled.¿The Church's use of its status in the United Nations to forward itssecular agenda is explored.¿ Those whoseek knowledge, who have endured guilt and fear, will identify with theauthor's experiences and her back to basics approach.¿ They will confirm that they are not alone andhave a basis for further study.