The Dysfunctional Church: Addiction and Codependency in the Family of Catholicism

Reduced to its simplest form The Dysfunctional Church maintains that: -The Catholic church is an addict an institutional addict. - Its addicted to preserving the male celibate clerical model of the church. - Many Catholics exhibit patterns of classic codependency which reinforce this addiction. - The result is a dysfunctional church unable to confront a problem many members know is there. Michael Crosby breaks the silence to talk openly about the abuse of authority in the Catholic church. He does this in a way that offers comfort hope and challenge to the frustrated but caring members of its family. He traces the historical gathering of powers by the hierarchy into its own hands and its ramification for today. Applying the approach that Matthews Jesus took to the church leaders of his day Crosby brings the discerning light of scripture into the dark corners of growing addiction. The Dysfunctional Church is a clear loving and unequivocal intervention. The author calls on church leaders and all other codependents in the church to face their addiction and seek recovery through spiritual conversion. Acknowledging that he himself is a recovering codependent he invites us all to turn to God to fill the hole in our wholeness. This involves coming under the authority of a higher power as well as finding support in prophetic communities modeled on the Twelve Steps. For those who left the church in anger Crosbys analysis invites compassion; for those who remain in frustration it offers hope; and for the many who feel condemned to the churchs use of authority if offers a way of recovery. Michael Crosby belongs to the Midwest Province of the Capuchin Franciscans. He lives in a Capuchin Community in downtown Milwaukee. His recent books on the gospels of Matthew and John have received awards from the Catholic Press Association. He has a Masters in Economics as well as a Doctorate and Licentiate in Sacred Theology.