The Bad Shepherds, Rod Bennett
The Bad Shepherds, Rod Bennett
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The Bad Shepherds
The Dark Years in Which the Faithful Thrived While Bishops Did the Devil's Work

Author: Rod Bennett

Narrator: James Anderson Foster

Unabridged: 4 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/13/2019

Synopsis

Shocked to find corruption widespread in the ranks of their shepherds today, too many good Catholics are tempted to leave the Church, unaware that ever since the days when Jesus' own treasurer, Judas Iscariot, had his hand in the till, the Good Shepherd and His faithful followers have regularly been betrayed by bad shepherds.

In this eye-opening book, Church historian Rod Bennett introduces a number of those bad shepherds, including Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, who regularly sold out the Church to the Roman emperor; Pope Stephen VII, who so hated his late predecessor that he had him dug up, put on trial, and flung into the Tiber; Benedict IX, who bought and sold the papacy (twice!); and Pope John XII, whose debauchery rivaled that of the corrupt emperor Caligula.

Those were very bad shepherds indeed, but while they did the Devil's work, good Catholics not only survived—they thrived. They outlasted their bad shepherds, preserved in their ranks the Faith of our fathers, and served in each instance as the foundation for a cleansing of the House of God and a vigorous renewal of the Faith.

About Rod Bennett

Rod Bennett was, for many years, the editor of Wonder magazine. His writings have appeared in other national publications as well, ranging from Gadfly, Catholic Exchange, and Our Sunday Visitor. His first book, Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words, is a bestseller from Ignatius Press. His first novel, The Christus Experiment, was published in November 2012.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mel (Reviews In A Pinch)

It was easily 3/5 for the book itself. It was interesting reading the church history from a religious person’s perspective. I do still prefer the historian’s perspective but I think it’s important to regularly branch out. That’s how we learn in the end. The preachy afterword is what knocked this dow......more

Goodreads review by Jonathan Orso

Wonderful read! Wonderfully written! Very educational and inspirational to fight back against the evil that continues to attack OUR Church. It very simply reminds the reader of the Church's past and how WE the laity, the faithful, the Church's support network has always guided the Church of our fathe......more

Goodreads review by Debra

This was a good introduction to some of the worst popes in history. In spite of them, the Church has always continued on, as Jesus Christ is the head. It is obvious from reading this that if She were not of God, She would have disappeared a very long time ago. The laity remain and at times (like now......more

Goodreads review by Surisaray

I am a cradle Catholic, I did have some knowledge and understanding of the existence of bad popes , but I was clearly sheltered, this is an eye opener, it is painful to read, This book gave me a rough history lesson on our Church, but also on how cruel in general people can be.......more

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