“A refreshingly candid book by an intelligent, experienced, and very knowledgeable churchman . . . It deserves to be read by everyone who cares about church reform or ecumenism. It is well written and clearly organized. It provides helpful explanations of many technical terms in footnotes, and it includes a good index.”
“The Reform of the Papacy is a radical book, in that its proposals could have far-reaching effect. It is also radical because it goes to the root, the radix . . . It is also a conservative, traditional book. Quinn grounds virtually every argument in older, longer traditions than those relied upon by self-protective members of the curia, counselors to the pope who downgrade bishops and frustrate expressions of collegiality, or those who would restore some pre-Vatican II concepts that isolate and elevate the pope.”
“In his usual elegant but cautious style, Quinn takes seriously Pope John Paul II’s request that there be dialogue on how we could change the way he functions as pope, so that the papacy would become less of an obstacle to the ecumenical movement . . . Because of the serious way Quinn treats his material and the thoughtfulness and respect with which it is presented, I feel that this book will be much quoted for decades to come, somewhat like Cardinal Newman’s On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine.”
“Quinn is acutely aware of history and utilizes both the past and his own experiences to buttress his critique. These responses to the Pope’s invitation demonstrate a great sense of loyalty, undergirded with a clear message.”