Centuries have passed and secularism seems to have a stronghold on our world view, but the Vatican still rules the practices and doctrines of more than a third of the earth`s people with arguably the same iron fist it always has. After all this time, the all-powerful Vatican remains a complete mystery to all those outside its walls. Until now. A small group of Vatican prelates felt they could not participate in the code of silence that has allowed corruption and hypocrisy to flourish within the seat of power of one of the world`s biggest, most influential religions. This group, which has referred to itself as the Millenarians, has preferred anonymity for fear of repercussions from the publication of this book. One of the group, Luigi Marinelli, was compelled to step forward, and his livelihood and life have been threatened in the balance. "The book was an act of love for the Church," Marinelli has been quoted as saying. He and his fellow Millenarians strongly believe that the Church they love cannot survive if the ruling powers are mired in bureaucracy, rampant careerism, corruption and lack of accountability. The anecdotal evidence they provide is shocking, at the very least.
How did a first-century Jew called Jesus manage to spark a new religion? Christianity was born nearly two thousand years ago and has won untold millions of followers. Yet, historians still cannot say how it really began. The Sign finally provides the answer. Traditionally, the birth of Christianity has been explained via the miracle of the Resurrection, but historians have been unable to account for Christianity’s remarkable success without the Resurrection to spark it. If no one really saw the Risen Jesus, how were people convinced that he was their immortal Messiah? Art historian Thomas de Wesselow has spent the last seven years deducing the answer to this puzzle. Reassessing a much-misunderstood historical source and reinterpreting critical biblical passages, de Wesselow shows that the solution has been staring us in the face for more than a century. The Shroud of Turin, widely thought to be a fake, is, in fact, authentic. And it holds the key to the greatest mystery in human history.
"Johnny and his friends are out trick-or-treating on Halloween when they see a light in the window of a deserted mansion. When they investigate, they make a shocking discovery. Can Johnny uncover what's going on?"--
It is the most controversial religious icon in the world. No one knows where it came from. No one knows when it was made. But now, the greatest mystery in religious history holds the key to a present-day serial killer who devises savage, bizarre deaths for his victims. And only two American cops, following a trail that stretches from California to the Vatican, can expose the secret of the Shroud. From internationally bestselling author Sam Christer, published in 35 languages around the world, comes a thriller packed with relentless action, shocking twists and astounding research - the most suspenseful and intelligent novel of its kind since The Da Vinci Code.
Legacy of Secrecy tells the full story of JFKs murder and the tragic results of the cover-ups that followed, as revealed by two dozen associates of John and Robert Kennedy, backed by thousands of files at the National Archives. The result of twenty years of research, it finally tells the full story long withheld from Congress and the American people.
Sacred Silence is a book about failed leadership in the Catholic Church. Donald Cozzens looks at various challenges and the scandal gripping the Church and offers an historical overview of our church leadership. He explains how the misplaced loyalties of those in leadership positions created the current crisis. Cozzens clarifies why bishops and church authorities think the way they do and why the ecclesiastical system might be the real villain in the abuse scandal. With compassion and understanding Cozzens answers the why of the present and past leadership failures and proposes a new direction. Chapters in Part One: Masks of Denial are "Sacred Silence," and "Forms of Denial." Chapters in Part Two: Faces of Denial are "Sacred Oaths, Sacred Promises," "Voices of Women," "Religious Life and the Priesthood," "Abuse of Our Children," "Clerical Culture," "Gay Men in the Priesthood," and "Ministry and Leadership." The chapter in Part Three: Beyond Denial is "Sacred Silence, Sacred Speech." Donald Cozzens, PhD, a priest and writer, is author of two award-winning titles, Sacred Silence and The Changing Face of the Priesthood, and editor of The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest, all published by Liturgical Press. He is writer in residence at John Carroll University where he teaches in the religious studies department.
Award winning journalist Ted Gup exposes how and why our most important institutions increasingly keep secrets from the very people they are supposed to serve.Drawing on his decades as an investigative reporter, Ted Gup argues that a preoccupation with secrets has undermined the very values--security, patriotism, and privacy--in whose name secrecy is so often invoked. He explores the blatant exploitation of privacy and confidentiality in academia, business, and the courts, and concludes that in case after case, these principles have been twisted to allow the emergence of a shadow system of justice, unaccountable to the public. Nation of Secrets not only sounds the alarm to warn against an unethical way of life, but calls for the preservation of our democracy as we know it.
The tragic events of 11 September 2001 have led to an intensification of measures against terrorism both at the level of states and international organisations. New laws and resolutions have been passed in order to strengthen national and international action against terrorism. Some of these measures violate human rights and have been introduced without respect for obligatory procedures under international human rights conventions for derogations in cases of emergency. This development has given rise to much concern worldwide. In order to analyse the many (human rights) questions posed by the intensified struggle against terrorism, a symposium was organised, on the initiative of the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR) of Athens, by the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) in Graz and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna together with the MFHR. This volume brings together most of the contributions to this high-level and in-depth discussion in edited, updated form. Among the issues analysed are the dangers entailed in the new doctrine of pre-emptive wars, the issue of the prevention of terrorism through measures addressing its causes and the strengthening of human security. The volume also contains an annex with major documents relating to the question of human rights and terrorism at universal and regional levels prepared by international organisations and NGO's, which represents a useful handbook on the topic. Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR). Established in 1978 in Athens, Greece. Its main purposes are the research, study, defense, protection and promotion of generally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.Within this framework, MFHR takes a special interest in the advancement of formal and informal education on human rights, the raising of public awareness and the adoption by States or international organisations of measures protecting human rights, peace and the development of democratic institutions. For more details, see: http: //www.mfhr.gr European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) has been established in the year 2000, in the city of Graz, the first Human Rights City in Europe. It is a non-governmental organisation which is linked to the University of Graz through a cooperation agreement. The ETC has a particular focus on South-Eastern Europe, where it helped creating a network of human rights centres. In its training and research activities it is supported by an international advisory board. A particular focus of its training and research programmes is the relationship between human rights and human security, non-discrimination, migration, democracy and human rights at the local level. For more details, see: http: //www.etc-graz.at.
This thought-provoking book delves into the secretive world of the Illuminati, a clandestine organization believed to have significant influence over global events. The author takes readers on an illuminating journey, exposing the hidden strategies and agendas employed by this elusive group to maintain control and advance their global dominance. Through meticulous research and compelling arguments, the book sheds light on various theories surrounding the Illuminati's existence and their alleged involvement in shaping politics, financial systems, and cultural influences worldwide.
