is a hard-hitting report on what Msgr. George Kelly considers a fierce confrontation brewing in the Ameri-can Church today, accompanied by widespread "reli-gious crime" But this is not the end of the matter, according to Kelly. "The real evil," he writes, "lies in the hearts of men who instigate or tolerate crime" He asserts that the bishops, in their role as the leaders of the Church, have folded under intimidation by vocif-erous special interests resulting in a dilution of their own authority.

In the author's analysis, many groups are scrambling for a position that will allow them some power over the future direction of the Church-a future that is now muddled by the uncertainty that hangs so heavy over a still formidable though scarred institution. As he dem-onstrates, this uncertainty permeates theology voca tions, education, and every aspect of then's life and has created a struggle involving fierces that are not easily compromised, issues that wilt be silenced; recognition and accountability that will not be denied.

In THE BATTLE FOR THE AMERICAN CHURCH,

Msgr. George Kelly documents the complexity and intrigue of what he calls without apology a "battle," details the history of each controversy, and offers a sound critique and suggestions for reform in line with the sacred and unchanging doctrines of Catholicism. This is a work of scholarship, certain to create contro versy, but nonetheless a must-have volume for anyone concerned about the future of the Catholic Church in Americ