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Vatican Snubs Tell-All Book on JPII

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist Even though it was written by the official postulator of Pope John Paul II’s cause for sainthood, the Vatican is not hiding its displeasure with a recently published book containing revelations about the Pope’s private life that many believe should have remained confidential. The Catholic News Service (CNS) is reporting that the Vatican is officially snubbing the book by Msgr. Slawomir Oder, entitled "Why He's a Saint: The Real John Paul II According to the Postulator of His Beatification Cause.”   This snubbing has become apparent since the book's release in January, 2010, especially when no Vatican official attended the book's presentation at a hotel a few steps from St. Peter's Square. Another sign of displeasure is the fact taht L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s newspaper, has yet to write about the book. Sources say Vatican officials believe Msgr. Oder improperly published episodes, documents, and revelations about the private life of the late John Paul II. These include the revelation about the Pope’s use of a belt to whip himself, which many senior Vatican officials felt was presented with too little explanation and context. This resulted in huge headlines and ridicule by people who are unfamiliar with these practices, which ultimately made the revelation counter-productive. This and many other revelations in the book are also said to have upset the Pope’s longtime secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who apparently called Msgr. Oder for an explanation. According to CNS, top officials at the Congregation for Saints' Causes have refused official comment, but were described as being perplexed and unhappy at the book's publication. As of early February, Msgr. Oder has withdrawn into "total silence" and was refusing to talk about the book, according to his secretary. Even though Msgr. Oder may not have technically broken any rules, he acted imprudently on several counts, CNS reports, such as citing unnamed sources who may not have given him permission to publish their revelations. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

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