Reviews for The Smoke of Satan: Conservative and Traditionalist Dissent in Contemporary American Catholicism

The average rating for The Smoke of Satan: Conservative and Traditionalist Dissent in Contemporary American Catholicism based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-04-14 00:00:00 Michael Padula The Roman Catholic Church is a pretty big tent, but there are constituencies on the left and the right that challenge the mainstream institution. This work is about three elements on the right that are dissatisfied with the current teaching or praxis of the mainstream church. Those three groups are the 'Conservatives', the 'Traditionalists' and the 'Marian Apocalyptics'. The author examines in fascinating detail all three (at least up to the publication date of this book--1997). They are significantly different and you may have not have encountered all three. Think 'anti-abortion' and social issues when you considering the 'Conservatives'; think Archbishop LeFebvre and the Latin Mass when you think 'Traditionalist"; and think prophecy of the end times when you think of the 'Marianists'. If you want to distinguish the Bayside Prophetess from the Society of St Pius X, from the Catholics United for the Faith; this is the in-depth primer you want to acquire.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-02-13 00:00:00 Thomas Price Provides a deeply engrossing and well researched look into the world of Catholic ultra-traditionalism. Cuneo wasn't afraid of pounding the pavement to get information: better yet, some of the real live people he talked to actually said interesting things.I point this out merely because so many writers are wont to put down every interview they've had almost verbatim, whether it's relevant or not, just to prove they did the research. Only four stars, however, because the book could really use an index.