First, a word of apology.

We stand duly admonished by one of our readers, who responded to our recent book report with an exhortation to gratitude:

Don’t dwell too much on what still needs to be fixed. A book like this, from any bishop, will be tremendous. It doesn’t matter what “effect” it has at the Vatican. This will be for God’s glory, and for our children. Be grateful.

The recent Sunday Gospel about the ten lepers especially drove this home for us. “Has none but this stranger returned to give thanks to God?” Thanks to that reader. And Deo gratias.

Because now, there is even more to be grateful for:

We learn that the book has not only secured a US publisher, but also — almost unbelievably — carries a US bishop’s imprimatur and is already printing. A major press release is in store, and one may expect the book even before the October Synod. Perhaps that’s the goal.

And again, as for its content… simply incomparable. One can scarcely believe the clarity and Catholicity of its affirmations. Some of them require a second reading.

For instance, consider the chutzpah behind assertions like these:

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Who are Muslims? 
Those professing the religion of Islam, founded by Mohammed (ca. 622), who gave himself out to be a prophet of the one true God, promised sensual joys after death, allowed polygamy, taught fatalism, and propagated his new religion mainly by fire and sword. Islam explicitly rejects the revealed truths of the Incarnation, the divinity of Christ, His redeeming sacrifice on the Cross, and the Holy Trinity. They view Christ as a mere prophet, and venerate the Virgin Mary merely as a holy woman, not the Mother of God. 

Does the Muslim religion adore the one true God? 
No. The Muslim religion rejects God’s self-revelation as a Trinity and denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. The adoration proposed in this religion cannot be true, as “every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 Jn 4:3). While an individual Muslim may incidentally adore God as Creator, this would only be at the natural level, according to man’s capacity for natural knowledge of God. 

Then Muslims do not adore the one and merciful God “together with us” Catholics?
No. Catholics consciously profess and adore “one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity,” not simply “the one God”; whereas one of the most famous and frequent Muslim prayers, the Al-Ikhlas Ayat, solemnly rejects this divine revelation.

Is it true to say that Muslims hold the faith of Abraham?
No. Abraham saw three and adored one (see Gn 18:2–3) and rejoiced in the vision of the future Redeemer (see Jn 8:56), excluding neither Christ nor the Trinity in his faith. Conversely, the Muslim explicitly excludes faith in Christ and the Holy Trinity. 

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Folks, this was once the Church’s common doctrine on the false religion of Islam, and Catholics knew it well. But things like this haven’t been spoken aloud by the hierarchy in over fifty years.

Just imagine them being said by a white-clad bishop in our time…

…or, dare we hope?

This book will be a monument to the changeless reality of the one true religion, and from the very hierarchy thereof. It may yet rekindle a spirit of conversion, charity, and apostleship in the Catholic hierarchy. We certainly pray for as much at every Low Mass — for the exaltation of holy Mother Church.

Regardless, we are grateful.

Come, Thou Spirit that animated the apostles: drive their successors to truly “preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). As Pope Leo XIII taught us to pray:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy altar. … Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism; refuse not to draw them all into the light and kingdom of God.

Let the demons of Mecca tremble — a good book is a spiritual bombshell.

Bravo the restoration!