James Carroll

Commentary: The Atlantic recently published James Carroll's "Abolish the Priesthood," a critique of clericalism. Beyond the article's headline, Carroll proposed ways that Catholics could reimagine tradition; he offered hope. Sadly, the piece brought together condemnations from both the Catholic right and left.

Distinctly Catholic: James Carroll's view of the priesthood is self-referential and outdated. He seems not to understand how doctrine develops, nor how it relates to history. He further fails to grasp that for the Catholic Church, while it must be historically conscious, the relevant history is also and always salvation history.

In James Carroll's newest novel, The Cloister, the Catholic Church's relationship with the "other" is examined through parallel narratives that span centuries and continents. The author gave an email interview with NCR to discuss the novel, his 12th.