The Last Roman Catholic?

David M. Kelly is a teaching assistant at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

In recent times there has been so much emphasis on progressive reform in
the Catholic Church that we are often tempted to forget that there are
traditionalist, even militantly conservative, opinions as well. In The
Last Roman Catholic? Demers reminds us of their presence with a holy
vengeance.

Inflamed by the expulsion of the Oratorian Fathers by modernist
Canadian bishops, Demers launches a full-scale assault on Catholic
“progress” since the Vatican II reforms. The blame for the sad state
of present-day Catholicism, claims Demers, must rest with the liberal
and modernist factions. They, particularly the bishops (modernist
tyrants, to be sure!), have brought about the downfall of Church
attendance and spiritual poverty. His message is entirely
straightforward: traditionalists are good; modernists are bad.

While the text is definitely opinionated—in fact, brutally so—it is
nonetheless enjoyable for its biting sarcasm. Demers is, aside from
everything else, amply skilled in communicating his opinions through
humor. Even so, no one could miss his spirituality and sincere concern
for the Church he loves.

In summary, I dare say that traditionalist Catholics will welcome The
Last Roman Catholic? with palm leaves and hosannas. Liberals, however,
will be inclined to cry “Crucify it!”