The spirit of Cardinal Bernardin

Chief architect of the American Bishop's pastoral letter on nuclear war, Joseph Bernardin has emerge, virtually overnight, as the most widely known Cardinal in the United States. In 1982 the nation's Roman Catholic diocese was in turmoil. Segments of clergy and laity, even whole parishes and institutional organizations had broken away from support of the controversial Cardinal John Patrick Cody. Into this rebellious, destructive situation came perhaps the one man who could restore unity and purpose to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Joseph Louis Bernadin, for nearly a decade the Archbishop of Cincinnati, is one of the best qualified of all American bishops, with skills growing out of experience in administration, diplomacy, personal and public relations. He was general secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the United States Catholic Conference in Washington, dealing with the entire U.S. Church, the Vatican, the federal government and the hierarchies of many other countries. In this highly readable book, veteran journalist and Catholic editor A.E.P Wall shows how Cardinal Bernardin grew into the effective thinker and mover that he is today. He explores both his personality and his spiritual practices, describing the Cardinal's unwavering conviction that action must rise out of prayer and reflection. He goes behind the scenes to give readers a portrait of the Cardinal at work, sharing responsibility, making decisions, healing rifts. He also provides insights into Cardinal Bernardin's thinking on such ecclesial concerns as women's roles, papal authority, church-state and many others. The spirit of Cardinal Bernardin is a fascinating and inspiring encounter with the heart and mind of the most influential churchman in the United States.