I haven't read the book but.. (famous last words).. the article and the somewhat provocative and sensationalist "Stalinist" link give the strong impression the "critical assessment" is not highly favourable and one has to consider whether the authors are unhindered by biases.

We live in an era now where the slightest hint of "conservative" Catholic or Christian influence in politics is rejected and denounced vehemently. It IS almost unthinkable by modern standards that the likes of Santamaria and his organisations could be so deeply entwined in politics. This current cultural aversion, badged as "the separation of Church and state" lurches more towards "miltant secularism" which really DOES have a lot in common with atheistic Stalism! The overview of the book leads me to suspect the author's "critical assessment" is consistent with the current ideological zeitgeist of zealous rejection of conservative Catholic/Christian views in public life.

An assessment more sympathetic to Santamaria and based on more reasonable criteria would be cognisant that a truly free, just and healthy society can't be maintained by a political system rejecting or in denial of the principles and precepts of religious TRUTH.

On a side note, without wishing to draw the ire of the Administrator, I'm sorry your original post was removed. The chasm of ideological divide seems to grow ever wider these days, but if we simply retreat to separate camps lobbing insults and derision at each other and not seeking GENUINE DIALOGUE then really there is NO HOPE! I'm the first to admit that's not easy but we shouldn't stop trying...and of course PRAYING that (with the help of God) division and differences can be overcome!

Pete



--Previous Message--
: Seems to be an over-emphasis on the
: "operational behaviour" of the
: respective organisations (CPA and the
: Movement) to smear Santamaria.
:
: It's a critical assessment, Pete, but I
: don't think it's a smear.
:
: I don't know
: a lot about the guy (I'm sure he wasn't
: perfect! hehe) but the objectives of the CPA
: and Movement were obviously vastly different
: and focussing on the "means" over
: the "end" to score some cheap
: points against a perrenial favourite of
: those with a grudge against the more
: conservative hue of Catholicism seems
: somewhat facile.
:
: There were many Catholics of my late
: father's vintage who were very sympathetic
: to Santamaria and his 'movements' but, in
: the end, didn't like his methods. In short
: the means didn't justify the ends.
:
: However, whatever you or I think, posting
: the link has crossed an 'invisible line'
: marked 'don't go there' because it's too
: 'political'.
:
: Perhaps I need to find an article that's
: critical of the current Pope. That doesn't
: seem to be a problem here.
:
:
: