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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Amazing! Apr 19, 2009
By A Jimenez Jr.
This is a great story, a true novel! you will not be able to put it down! I guarantee it. There are no loose ends, no excuses, and it hits reality in so many levels! Machismo, lies, and Italian crazies...
Is unapologetic and to the point, the reality of the church, the conflicts between obedience and doing what's right even if you have to brake the rules. Having to do what is needed not only to save a life; but the many others that depend on it, not only economically but spiritually, the jealousy of the people over the "American Way" of doing things, and at the same time how some of the same people overprotect their stupidity criticizing something they'll never admit didn't wanted to achieve. It took a "gringo" to teach a lesson to a proud community who thought they have had reach the limits of what a person can achieve when realizes there is nothing more important than the life of a child.
I cried when I read this book, It reminded me of a Priest I know, he used to Live "En Los Altos de Jalisco" Mexico. (Jalisco Highlands) I was a child back then, but it's still burned in my memory, as clear as any other childhood memory; a man kneeling in the middle of the street, in front of a jailhouse, praying for his son to be released, I remember the rain and all the people, but more than that I remember the priest's sorrowed face...
Some called him naïve, but from the eyes of a child he was a friend, a firm hand when needed as well as a caring loving father, and over all, a very good listener, qualities needed to raise a child. Thanks be to God he was "naïve", because that opened his heart to his true mission: Raising so many children, and making feel each and every one of them they was as important as Einstein
The events in this novel are so close to my memory that I am happy I'm able to connect the dots of my own story...
After reading this Novel, I'm not ashamed to say anymore that I tripped certain Almost-blind Nun while she was passing next to the table I was sitting in, on the dining room one of those many Sundays my family and I spent in the orphanage.... But I am also ashamed to inform that she did not fell on her face as I had hope then, and I really look forward for another opportunity.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Blessings in obedience... Aug 01, 2009
By John Tierno
"surrended"
I have just completed reading The Society of Judas. I will assume, until informed to the contrary, that what I read was 100% factual! As sobering and frightening as that statement is, it again points out that truth is stranger than fiction. It also points out vividly the difference between truth and reality. Padre Charlie's experiences were every bit real, but did they always reflect God's truth? Obviously not (we need to be careful not to use these two words interchangeably... they really are literally worlds apart).
I can not begin to comprehend the feelings and thoughts that betrayal of this magnitude could engender in a person. I became incensed at what I was reading, yet can not fully imagine what ran through Padre's mind and spirit experiencing it as he did. The "friendly-fire" aspect of the book is perhaps what I found most disturbing. Allegiance to God means little in the economy of some in the church. They will, at some point in the future, feel the wrath of an angry God. Did they once stop and think about the consequences of their actions and the absolutely damning effect they had on their ministry and eternal destiny, or the lives of others? How could anyone, knowing what they knew, conduct themselves in such a despicable manner?!
I closed the book believing that Padre Charlie realized as few do, the absolute necessity of being obedient to God. The blessing is in obedience, not the end result. If he had totally focused on the fruit of his labor, he would have focused on the wrong thing. These truths are real to Padre, not that his ministry was lacking in fruit... for everyone he mentored, counseled, blessed and prayed over, will go forth with some of his anointing. They will all carry a shred of his mantel. His effect on his children will manifest geometrically over time, for as he touched 100's, they in turn will go forth and touch 100's, and they will go and God will be glorified and his Kingdom enriched. You did good Padre...
I recently delivered a talk on affirmation... who do we look to for affirmation? In most cases we allow the world to affirm us. But as Padre Charlie has so graphically shown, the world is fickle, unstable, self focused, corrupt, deviant and sinful. Yet we allow this same world to define us. We even seek out its affirmation... frightening, but true. A question the reader MUST ask is who did Padre seek for affirmation? The reader ultimately realizes that the question in Padre Charlie's case is rhetoric, for I know it is God himself who has and will continue to affirm him.
Thank you, at so many different levels. I view you as a true man of God.
Allow me to close with a quote from the Apostle Paul..."having done all, simply stand."
Shalom,
Dr. John Tierno
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 The Society of Judas Apr 28, 2009
By Ernesto F. Travieso
It is a fascinating study of corruption in high and medium institutional levels of the Catholic Church. As a human institution, greed, envy, jealousy and basic uncontrolled selfishness grow amidst the Church making Fr. Charlie, the protagonist, a Christ like victim in his commitment to people and to God.
The novel is well written and offers a very objective view of how apparently good human beings can become Judas, traitors, when their passions turn them against a true friend.
I strongly recommend the book.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The Society of Judas May 23, 2009
By Franz Liebkind
"Franz Liebkind"
The book narrates the fascinating story of a catholic priest exiled in Mexico after entanglements with Vatican officials. The story is truly captivating and obviously strongly autobiographical. This latter point, in my opinion, is the only shortcoming of the book: the author himself is still too immersed in the narration, as if he was trying to come to terms with his own life. At certain points, the arrogance and self-righteousness of the author-protagonist is hard to bear for the reader, but, after all, the story speaks for itself.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
COMPELLING! Apr 23, 2009
By Jeannie
"curious"
This is the story of a human being, a man and a holy priest of the Catholic Church....."Charlie", a gentle power. He seemed destined to pursue his studies in theology, possibly in the Diplomat Corp in Rome but is unexpectedly sent to Mexico. His saga begins and Charlie falls into the trappings of human needs and fraility (his own and others), foreign politics, church politics, priests, bishops, nuns, sex, murder, greed and deceit above and beyond human endurance. Charlie works tirelessly to establish and finance an orphanage (for shocking personal reasons) near Guadalajara but is met at every turn by the personal agenda of everyone he thought close to him. Every page of this book is full. The book is impossible to put down. This talented, extremely intelligent and witty author will surpise and may even overwhelm the reader. A MUST READ for anyone with a dream or had a friend. Murr must have many stories to tell and I hope to heavens he shares them again. Brilliant!
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