holy white smoke 2032-2033

Holy White Smoke

2032-2033

The Second Vatican Council under Siege

A Novel by Jozef Goethals

The novel is available on Amazon.com at $24.00 + $3.99 shipping

   

    In 2032, the persistent struggle about the implementation of the principles of the Second Vatican Council of 1962-1965 has been plaguing the Church for almost seventy years. Pope Francis’ papacy, characterized by renewal and enthusiasm for “a church for the poor,”was overshadowed by further European secularization and a Curia reluctant to follow Pope Francis’ pastoral approach.After Pope Francis, three traditionalist  popes, John Paul III, Benedict XVII, and Clement XV returned to the deconstruction of Vatican II and to strict orthodoxy, creating a fractured church in an era of “reform of the reform.”

    Pope Clement XV dies in October 2032. Cardinal Umberto Opuscolo, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, becomes Pope Boniface X. Soon, he puts into question the validity of Vatican II’s doctrine and renewal. This triggers a series of existential problems in the Roman Church reminiscent of the period of the popes of Avignon and the “Great Western Schism” six hundred years earlier.

    A Filipino cardinal, a visionary nun, and a layman from Belgium who is finishing his theology doctorate at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University – all firm believers in Vatican II – challenge Pope Boniface’s attempts to bring the Church back to pre-Vatican II theology and practices.

Pre-publication reviews (emphasis mine)

   

   Father James Finley writes:“In the nearly fifty years since the conclusion of Vatican II, much ink has been spilled by those advocating the council as well as by those seeking to rein in what they consider to be its excesses. Congresses, conferences and workshops have been organized by the score to explore the value or lack thereof of this historic gathering. In his novel, Holy White Smoke, The Second Vatican Council under Siege, set in the Rome of 2032-2033, Jozef Goethals brings these issues to life with well rounded characters whose attitudes toward the council run the gamut from strong approval to utter rejection of Vatican II. Each of the characters is treated with respect and sympathy for their clashing views. They are not simply mouth pieces for a point of view. They come to life as they seek to advance the cause which they believe will best serve the Church and its mission. This novel will bring its readers to an informed appreciation of what is at stake with regard to the council and do so in the form of an engaging and informative novel.”

    “Holy White Smoke 2032-2033 is a very readable story with a plot that is carefully patterned on the historical events of the so-called Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy, when the Roman Pontiffs resided in Avignon during part of the 14th century. But, in the Goethals’ narrative, we see this schism projected into the 2030s, predicated on the conflicting interpretations of the true meaning of the Vatican II Council of the 1960s. The personal experience and the careful research of the author provide a good insider’s view of the personalities and machinations that form the human side of the Church of Rome.”

Dr. Mark Vanderheyden, President Emeritus St. Michael’s College, VT

    “This novel raises theological questions that are at the heart of the current struggle and the future of the Catholic Church. The author ‘demythologizes’ the Vatican, the cardinals, the conclave and even the Church in a very positive way.”

Brendan Dowling, Chair, Religious Studies Department, Notre Dame Prep School, Towson, MD.

    “The Holy Spirit has blown open the windows of the Church!” This joyful cry was the common (though not exclusive) response to the freeing power unleashed by the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church. Holy White Smoke projects that cry into an imagined near future where the struggle to preserve the “true Church” reaches historic proportions. Deftly and accurately relaying the context of Vatican II and its aftermath, Goethals introduces characters who are believable and all-too-human. Through them, we are invited to face our worst fears and our deepest hopes for the People of God in the Catholic tradition. The imagined future subtly focuses our attention on the spiritual, theological and ethical struggles of today’s Church often revealed in the daily headlines of popular media. For those of us who cherish the vision of Vatican II, this entertaining work elicits enthusiasm and hope for a Catholic church yet to be realized.”   

S.Sharon Kanis, SSND, Ph.D.,Professor/Chair, Religious Studies Department,

Notre Dame of Maryland University.

“What goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in the election of a new pope? In Holy White Smoke, The Second Vatican Council under Siege, Jozef Goethals, an acute and experienced observer of the Catholic Church and Vatican affairs, reveals the humanity of the electors, the politics and chicanery involved in this traditional ceremony which has occurred multiple times in the last millennium. The recent election of Pope Francis makes this, Mr. Goethals’ first and fascinating new novel, essential reading at a critical moment in both world and church history.”

Henry Goethals, Bethesda, MD

Reviews at Amazon.com

By Patrick T. McKay on 10 February, 2015

I was so impressed by the insightful comments made by the author as part of a panel discussion on public radio regarding the pontificate of Pope Francis that I decided to order this book sight unseen. I'm very glad that I did. The subtitle of the book "The Second Vatican Council Under Siege" provides a concise summary of the overarching theme of this fictional work. Without giving away the plot line, I feel that it's safe to say that proponents of the changes brought about by Vatican II might view the novel a bit more favorably than those that advocate a return to Tridentine Catholicism. That being said, the author has fairly represented the arguments put forth by both positions in a concise yet entertaining way. In fact, one of the things that I enjoyed most about the novel was the way that the author had integrated important concepts addressed by the Second Vatican Council into the narrative of the story. If you've never had an opportunity to read the sixteen Vatican II documents promulgated by Pope Paul VI, this novel will serve as a wonderful primer. (If after reading the novel you find yourself still wanting to learn more about the council, I would recommend "What Happened at Vatican II by John W. O'Malley)

“This impressive debut deals with the assault of some in the Catholic Church on the principles of the Vatican II Council. Holy White Smoke is captivating. It’s first quarter takes us into the Sistine Chapel during a papal election filled with tension and skullduggery. The novel’s four main characters – two cardinals, one pro-Vatican II, one very much against – a lay theologian, and a saintly nun are all incredibly well drawn and very believable. The novel builds in tension toward a subtly and very well set up conclusion. If you are a fan of the works of Father Andrew Greeley, this is a book for you.” Richard T. Bogle, 14 September 2015

By Yara Cheikh on September 28, 2015

This novel offers an entertaining education on the principles of the Second Vatican Council. Thematically, set in the future, the novel depicts a world in which the values of the Vatican II are threatened. And yet, the characters are not archetypes by any means. The author demonstrates great insight into the daily lives of the clergy. His female character is a strong, principled and kind woman. This positive depiction of a sister is a welcome addition to the conversation around the contributions of nuns to the Church. The Catholic Church is composed of men and women who are very human and I think this novel clearly depicts the leadership in the Church as men capable of hypocrisy and poor judgment. As a literary work there is a suspense that permeates the novel and comes to an exciting and deeply rewarding conclusion for the reader. Clearly, the author has researched his subject as there is an authenticity to the characters and descriptions of place. He lifts the veil of mystery up from the inner workings of the Church in a creative and suspenseful fashion. This is a great read

POST REVIEW OF THE BOOK

HOLY WHITE SMOKE 2032-2033

By Jozef Goethals

Don’t let the catchy title fool you. This is a deep analysis of the past 50 years while telling a story of the next 50 years.

I rarely read novels for I am a slow reader. I could hardly put this book down. Every page was intriguing. If you lived in the Roman Catholic Church for the past 50 years as I have, many lines in this story will just blow you away!

My friend and colleague, Jeff, has put together a creative work that both entertains and educates. In the form of a novel, he argues the pros and cons of the Second Vatican Council, and he does it well. His insights on the Council, his knowledge of the “fictional” places and persons in the story are all joined to form one of the most fascinating predictions of the future of the Church. His analysis of the effects of the Council in the midst of today’s Church is reality at its best. This is truly a prophetic work of art.

Be prepared to laugh, cry, and wonder at the Mystery that was, is, and always will be, the Second Vatican Council.

Father Bob Albright

Priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore

November 11, 2015

In  Belgium the book is available at :

Argenta Bank: Jozef Goethals,  BE92 9731 7578 2323

mention “Holy White Smoke” with your address. Shipped from the USA.

23 Euro plus 6 Euro shipping