Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths & Misconceptions About the Papacy

Patrick Madrid wrote a carefully researched book refuting slurs against the Catholic Church, the Magisterium, and false history. Madrid had the advantage of careful documentation and languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin). Madrid also had the advantage of being a good historian who could make connections and valid theses to support his book.Madrid began this book with a careful study of St. Peter's status as Pope. He carefully explained the sublties of St. Peter's name based on Greek and Hebrew languages. In other words, the Catholic authorities had a basis for considering St. Peter as the first Pope. Madrid even referred to Father Jaki (1924-2009) to substantiate Madrid's claim of St. Peter as Pope. Father Jaki was a well physicist and mathematician.Madrid did not conceal the fact that St. Peter was rebuked in New Testament literature. Madrid made the point that St. Peter was rebuked for misunderstanding and his actions rather than his teaching. Yet, St. Peter was important in New Testament literature as his name appears 195 times. When anti-Catholics cite St. Peter's weaknesses, Madrid was quick to show that many biblical heroic figures had weaknesses such as David.Madrid had fun with those who associate the number 666 with the Papacy. In the first place, the actual name for the Papacy via Roman numerals would add to 214. The 666 came from a mistake in the Pope's title which was finally corrected by editors early in the 20th. century. Madrid showed his knowledge of geography. The Vatican IS NOT in Rome. It is located across the Tiber River and is not offically a part of Rome. St. John's Revelation referred to the Emperor Nero and not to the Vatican.Madrid further demonstrated that the Papacy was the teaching authority as early as 80 AD. Pope St. ClementI(88-97)was recognized as the leader of the early Catholic Church. The point is that the early Catholic Church was in place with the Pope as the teaching authority. This is not to say that everyone agreed with the Pope's teaching authority, and Madrid cited early Church councils who deliberated points of theology, canonization of the Bible, etc. Madrid did not demand that readers agree with Catholic teaching, but he showed that decisions were carefully and thoughtfully made.Another myth that Madrid exploded was the myth of Pope Joan. Madrid was clear there NEVER was a Pope Joan. Madrid examined sources which indicated that Pope Sergius (904-911) may have referred as Pope Joan because Pope Sergius was supposedly influenced by women. Another possibility was Pope John VIII (872-882) was designated as a Pope Joan because he was a very weak Pope. The myth of Pope Joan emerged c. 1350 and then "gained steam" during the Reformation as propaganda.Madrid did an excellent job re Galileo (1564-1627). According to the transcripts and records, Galileo was NEVER tortured. He was not kept in a dungeon and resided in Niccolini's palacial estate. Niccolini was Turin's ambassador to the Vatican. Readers should note that Pope Paul V (1605-1621) honored Galileo in a public ceremony in 1610. Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644)also honored Galileo in 1624 via a public ceremony. Galileo had trouble because he tried to introduce his heliocentric theory as a substitute for the Bible. The Catholic Church authorities never interferred with the heliocentric theory as long as it was theory. At the time, Galileo could not prove his theory because of paralax, and he did not have a modern telescope. His theory of ocean tides was wrong. Galileo thought tides were due to the earth's rotation when we now know tides are due to the gravitation of the moon. Madrid could have added that while Galileo was honored by Popes Paul V and Urban VIII, Galileo was ungrateful and disrectful toward his benefactors.Madrid exploded another myth re the Popes and slavery. The only time the Popes did not condemn forced labor occured when Turkish POWs worked while they were prisoners. The following Popes issued severe condemnations and stinging rebukes against slavery:Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503)Pope Paul IV (1534-1549)Pope Benedict XIV(1740-1758)Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)The list could continue. The condemnations were stern and very clear.Madrid had an interesting chapter re Papal Infallibility. Madrid carefully and clearly explained that Papal Infallibility only referred to matters of Morals and Faith. What should be known is that too often the claims of Papal Infallibility were exaggerated to mean something that was never intended. This doctrine was carefully decided and was questioned until the concept was clarified.The last chapter of the book demolished the myth of Hitler's Pope re Pope Pius XII (1939-1958). One of the Catholic criticims of the Hitler regime was titled Mit Brennender Sorge (With Burning Anxiety) which was a scathing denounciation of the Hitler regime's ideology and was written by Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli-the future Pope Pius XII. Madrid cited the NEW YORK TIMES praise of Pope Pius XII's Christmas messages in 1941 and 1942 attacking racism and war which was clearly aimed at the Hitler regime. Madrid cited the Jewish historian Pinchas Lapide's book titled THREE POPES AND THE JEWS which had high praise for Pope Pius XII's rare courage and aid he gave to Jewish refugees as early as 1940. Madrid cited Einstein's (1879-1955)praise of the Catholic Church in the December 23, 1940 edition of TIME (pages 38-41). Madrid examined the comments and praise of Rabbi Israel Zolli and Rabbi Herzog both of whom were the Chief Rabbi of Rome at different times. Madrid also cited sources of Pope Pius XII's work "world wide" to help refugees many of whom were Jewish and who later showed undying gratitude to Pope Pius XII.Madrid's book is based on serious scholarship and a sense of humor. The book is clearly written. This reviewer' only criticism of the book is that Madrid should have included Sir Martin Gilbert's books in defense of Pope Pius XII. Gilbert is a Jewish historian. Readers should consult Sister Marchione's books on behalf of Pope Pius XII. The book is readable and well researched.James E. Egolfoctober 12, 2010

I've not been particularly versed in the arguments between the papal detractors and the papal apologists, so this book was a good introduction to issues that arise in this argument. Madrid has done his research and often does a wonderful job of examining the bible, and how it relates directly to the papacy today. He takes pains to show how, even though the word Pope is never used in the Bible, the concept that began with Peter is valid through the ages.At the same time, the book is often frustrating. Madrid charges his opponents with lies begot from splitting hairs and interpretations. But often to defend the Papacy, he must resort to the same splitting of hairs for his cause. Sometimes the counter arguments border on "well yes, it is true, but that misses the point which is..." In his final chapter on the role of Pius XII and the Jews in World War II, while he makes some very good points and brings up facts that I was not aware of, shows the shortcoming of this book. The charges and rebuttals are almost too well chosen and written, so when he refutes the myths, he keeps his scope so narrow on the text of the misconception that sometimes his writing addresses the specifics without looking at the general argument. While a gross simplification - some of his arguments hinge on interpretations that are reminiscent of Clinton's denial of a relationship with Monica Lewinsky - cutting on semantics.Some of his rebuttals are extremely well written and certainly put to lie the charges as being false. But I wish he had kept to those, instead of some of the responses that required more narrow focus and verbal gymnastics. Still, and excellent resource on this topic.

Excellent apologetic work. Ranging from 2 or 3 pages to 10 or 15 for each "Pope Fiction" easily digestible bites for the casual reader. Well defended with historical sources and actual papal documents. Much of the defense is as the old quote goes about hating what you think the Church is versus not really when you know what the Church really is. This is really well written and well developed. A sense of humor and the sacred mixed together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The final chapter, discussing the efforts of Pius XII, is a must for the bookshelf of any thinking person, and is itself worth the price of the book.Other myths, such as the "Pope Joan" story, are also handled well.Many of the chapters, however, are actually apologetic works outlining the Catholic position on the primacy of the Pope. These are well written, and should be of interest to readers of various backgrounds. Even if you don't find the case for papal primacy convincing, this book outlines the Catholic position in a clear and readable way.Highly recommended.

This book is more than an overview of various topics on the Papacy, but not quite an end all be all source of information. It gives you an excellent starting point for discussing the Papacy with others that object to it entirely or just parts of it. I highly recommend it!

Ignore the one star reviews, they are just mad that they have no answers to what this book contains. Excellent refutation of all the common fallacious arguments put forward by enemies of The Church.

Good book I learned a lot about the Catholic faith and how the Pope is part of the faith.

If you know Patrick, you can hear him speak as you read the words. Very detailed and fact centered.

I bought this book sometime ago and have been dipping into it ever since whenever I have found someone to debate some of its topics with me. I recommend it if, like me, you have lovely relations and want them to overcome the three centuries of unreasonable progoganda against the RC Church that has coloured their ideas about it.

Excellent ‘blow your mind’ easy reading book for the mature teenager, student, lay adult and evangelist by best-selling author, TV personality and publisher of the award winning Envoy magazine, catholic apologist Patrick Madrid offers biblical and historical answers to many common myths and misconceptions about the papacy. ‘Is the Pope the anti-Christ?’ ‘What is Papal infallibility?’ ‘Was there a female Pope called Joan?’ 'The Crusades?' A book that is readable for people of all faiths and those who choose to have none as it brings an understanding of the catholic viewpoint and is sure to get you researching the subjects you most like with its further reading section.

Patrick Madrid made good defense on different pope fictions that anti-catholics love to use against catholics

ok

Interesting read