Silent Schism Healing the Serious Split in the Catholic Church

Pope Francis has called upon Catholics to use what he calls "the grammar of simplicity" when talking with one another and with others outside the church. In this groundbreaking work, Brother Louis De Thomasis and Sr. Cynthia Nienhaus use the grammar of simplicity to describe the current schism happening in the Catholic Church worldwide and offer solutions for how to heal it. Using the grammar of simplicity found in The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition, they demonstrate that Jesus was always less worried about doctrine, dogmas, and dictums and more interested in the radical law of love. They call on both traditionalists and progressives in the church to recapture the mission of Jesus to bring about the reign of God "on earth, as it is in heaven.”

Comments from readers:

• "I was pleasantly surprised at how much I agreed with the authors’ viewpoints. I expected more controversy, yet there is plenty of controversy contained therein. It was the manner in which the authors worded their viewpoints that could be the turning point. They were direct, yet gentle and supportive."
• "This book really makes me think about my very strong, traditional upbringing. I love to ask questions...and this book assisted me with that. It addresses strong issues facing us today."
• "As a conservative within my beloved Catholic Church, I did not feel threatened or condemned in any way. I agreed with almost everything that was written and will be able to hear further statements from the hierarchy with ears wide open."

BROTHER LOUIS DETHOMASIS, a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, is President Emeritus of Saint Mary’s Univer- sity of Minnesota and Chairman of Christian Brothers Investment Services–Global. He is the author of Flying in the Face of Tradi- tion and Dynamics of Catholic Education.

SISTER CYNTHIA A. NIENHAUS, a member of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, is Assistant Professor of Religious Educa- tion at Marian University in Wisconsin. She has had articles pub- lished in journals such as Religious Education, Journal of Catholic Education, and Journal of Ecumenical Studies.