The Joy of Being Catholic

Rating:
Summary: A Failed Effort
Review: Knowing as I do the great joy which comes from experiencing the fullness of God's truth in His Church, I was quite anxious to read this book. I had hoped that the author had somehow put into words the wonderfully awesome elation I feel as a convert to Catholicism. Finley's book, however, has been brutally disappointing as it is, at its core, nothing more than a call to follow one's self before God.

We are led to believe, for example, despite one or two qualifying statements, that the source of a sacrament is primarily something within man. In fact, the Sacraments are rivers of grace flowing from God to man, not vica versa. In a manner not lost on the truly informed Catholic, but highly destructive for all others, the Holy Father's words are turned topsy-turvy before our very eyes to give the illusion that the use of artificial contraception is not immoral. Finley wholly misses the mark in his sense of the liberation which truly does come from salvation by ignoring completely the necessity of obedience to God. This book reeks of the unmistakable odor of dissension.

For honest accounts of the true joy of conversion and repentance I recommend "Surprised By Truth", edited by Patrick Madrid, and "Prodigal Daughters", edited by Donna Steichen.