This book was suggested to me by a senior priest who loved to learn, and by all standards was a “citizen of the world.” As I began to read this book, I noticed it was not a book for “bedtime reading.” This said, the research and statistical data in each chapter is outstanding and a tremendous resource for us who are concerned about the Church’s future.
In this book, Allen describes 10 different trends that are moving within the world and especially in the Catholic Church. Some of the trends/chapters described are: the growth of Islam, the rise of evangelical Catholicism, the biotech revolution, the growing focus on ecology, and the movement of the church to the southern hemisphere.
While heavy at times, this book is VERY interesting for those who want to learn more about how deeply connected the Church is to every aspect of the global society. Mr. Allen is a journalist who regularly writes for the Boston Globe, he has several books, and spent 16 years writing about the Vatican for independent media sources. He is often asked to be the analyst of Vatican affairs for CNN and the New York Times. I found Mr. Allen’s perspective and insights enjoyable and true to form so far in the 7 years since he first wrote this book. Give it a try – you will definitely learn a lot either way.
