BOOK REVIEW CONTINUED
Kung's vitality seems at the same high level as when I was introduced to him in Minneapolis by my classmate, Bishop Jim Shannon, during Kung's tour in 1967.
In his memoirs, Kung says, “I am telling a sorry story: The story of the reforms that might have been possible after Vatican II, but in truth were stifled, both in the public arena, and behind the scenes.”
Kung goes on to document, without bitterness, his long struggle to change the structure of the church, so that theologians could be questioned by the Curia openly, with counsel present, and without secrecy. In the controversy over Kung's book Infallibility-An Enquiry?, which began in 1975, Pope John Paul II finally made an arbitrary decision, without discussion, on Dec. 24, 1979, to forbid Kung from teaching Catholic theology in any Catholic University.
Kung writes with enthusiasm about his life since, as teacher, writer, and faithful Catholic Priest. Readers will also be interested in a few of the sidelights in his career. He details direct evidence from friends in the Vatican regarding the mysterious death of the “33-day Pope,” John Paul I. Again, with direct evidence, Kung relates sordid details of Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, who was the direct business partner of the murdered Robert Calvi of Banco Ambrosiano. Kung states that Marcinkus, head of the Vatican Bank, had to “face the music” for Paul VI, who had instructed Marcinkus to invest heavily in Banco Ambrosiano. Marcinkus escaped prosecution by referring to the Lateran Treaty, and fled to retirement in Sun City, Arizona.
In summary, Disputed Truth is very readable, and a valuable resource in detailing the struggles to preserve and expand the spirit of Vatican II.
It should be especially inspiring to VOTF Members to read of Kung's undaunted courage in speaking truth to authority, at the same time fending off personal attacks, and all the while continuing to turn out a new book each year.
