Best Catholics in the World
The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship
By Derek Scally | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
The Number One Bestseller
Shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2021
'A great achievement . . . Brilliant, engaging and essential' Colm Tóibín
'At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book' Fintan O'Toole
When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology - East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.
He travels the length and breadth of Ireland and across Europe, going to Masses, novenas, shrines and seminaries, talking to those who have abandoned the Church and those who have held on, to survivors and campaigners, to writers, historians, psychologists and many more. And he has probing and revealing encounters with Vatican officials, priests and religious along the way.
The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.
'Reflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times
'An unblinking look at the collapse of the Church and Catholic deference in Ireland. Excellent and timely' John Banville, The Sunday Times
'Engaging and incisive' Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame
'Remarkable ... Essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting' Michael Harding
'Fair-minded ... thoughtful' Melanie McDonagh, The Times
'Very pacey and entertaining ... and it changed how I regard Ireland and our history for good. Fantastic' Oliver Callan
'Original, thought-provoking and very engaging' Marie Collins
'A provocative insight into a time that many would rather forget' John Boyne
'Challenging' Mary McAleese
'Explores this subject in a way that I've never seen before' Hugh Linehan, Irish Times
Editions of Best Catholics in the World
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781844885275
- EBook
- ISBN 9781844885282
Read an Excerpt
The Number One Bestseller
Shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2021
'A great achievement . . . Brilliant, engaging and essential' Colm Tóibín
'At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book' Fintan O'Toole
When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology - East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.
He travels the length and breadth of Ireland and across Europe, going to Masses, novenas, shrines and seminaries, talking to those who have abandoned the Church and those who have held on, to survivors and campaigners, to writers, historians, psychologists and many more. And he has probing and revealing encounters with Vatican officials, priests and religious along the way.
The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.
'Reflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times
'An unblinking look at the collapse of the Church and Catholic deference in Ireland. Excellent and timely' John Banville, The Sunday Times
'Engaging and incisive' Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame
'Remarkable ... Essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting' Michael Harding
'Fair-minded ... thoughtful' Melanie McDonagh, The Times
'Very pacey and entertaining ... and it changed how I regard Ireland and our history for good. Fantastic' Oliver Callan
'Original, thought-provoking and very engaging' Marie Collins
'A provocative insight into a time that many would rather forget' John Boyne
'Challenging' Mary McAleese
'Explores this subject in a way that I've never seen before' Hugh Linehan, Irish Times
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Best Catholics in the World about?
The Number One Bestseller
Shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2021
'A great achievement . . . Brilliant, engaging and essential' Colm Tóibín
'At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book' Fintan O'Toole
When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology - East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.
He travels the length and breadth of Ireland and across Europe, going to Masses, novenas, shrines and seminaries, talking to those who have abandoned the Church and those who have held on, to survivors and campaigners, to writers, historians, psychologists and many more. And he has probing and revealing encounters with Vatican officials, priests and religious along the way.
The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.
'Reflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times
'An unblinking look at the collapse of the Church and Catholic deference in Ireland. Excellent and timely' John Banville, The Sunday Times
'Engaging and incisive' Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame
'Remarkable ... Essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting' Michael Harding
'Fair-minded ... thoughtful' Melanie McDonagh, The Times
'Very pacey and entertaining ... and it changed how I regard Ireland and our history for good. Fantastic' Oliver Callan
'Original, thought-provoking and very engaging' Marie Collins
'A provocative insight into a time that many would rather forget' John Boyne
'Challenging' Mary McAleese
'Explores this subject in a way that I've never seen before' Hugh Linehan, Irish Times
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Best Catholics in the World?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Religion: general > History of religion
Where can I read a sample of Best Catholics in the World?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781844885275
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Best Catholics in the World?
Derek Scally
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Best Catholics in the World is available as paperback(ISBN 9781844885275) and ebook(ISBN 9781844885282)
Where can I buy Best Catholics in the World online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Best Catholics in the World from below
Where can I buy Best Catholics in the World?