Review: In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy by Frédéric Martel

Title: In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy
Author: Frédéric Martel
Translator: Shaun Whiteside
Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Publication Date: February 21, 2019
Edition: Paperback (555 pages)
Genres:

• Nonfiction
• History
• Religion
• Sexuality

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Frédéric Martel, noted French journalist, along with his associates, spent four years investigating the Roman Catholic Church concerning homosexuality of priests and higher ups, the handling of sex abuse cases, hypocrisy and abuse of power. All of these aspects have been well hidden and, to a great extent, remain so to this day. The author and/or his associates conducted interviews with 1,500 people at the Vatican and in 30 countries including: 41 cardinals; 52 bishops and monsignori; and 45 apostolic nuncios.

I found this book most informative and revealing, not only because of the candor of the interviewees, but also because of the historical perspective the author brings to this work. The duplicity and hypocrisy was astounding to me, but in no way do I believe it does not also exist in other mainline Protestant and Evangelical churches today.

If you have an interest in these issues, I highly recommend this book. Though it is lengthy and by no means a quick read, its comprehensive coverage of the subject is well worth your time.