Jesus and Freedom : A Book Censored by the Vatican

Jesus and Freedom is the first book of Fr. Sebastian Kappen written in 1977. Published by Orbis Books New York with an introduction by the famous theologian Francois Houtart it became very popular within a few years among radical theologians and social activists all over the world. Then it came to the attention of the Vatican which could not tolerate the way Jesus is presented in the Asian perspective as a revolutionary taken hold of by God. And the book was censored in 1981. Fr. Kappen responded repudiating the very theology that is behind censorship and published his long reply. This was followed by many meetings of theologians and activists supporting Fr. Kappen. Anyway the book soon became out of print and this is its second edition. Fr. Kappen’s reply to the Vatican is given as an appendix.