New book presents formidable men who shaped the culture

Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Many Catholics would argue that we're in a "Dark Age" of sorts: the culture war battles are seemingly being lost, Christians are being persecuted for their beliefs, and Catholic priests are even being kidnapped and killed in parts of the world. But because Jesus Christ is unchanging and the Catholic Church is divinely inspired, Father William Slattery argues in his new book, HEROISM AND GENIUS, that Catholicism will get society out of today's dark ages, just like it did during the original Dark Ages.

Conceived and written in the heart of Rome, HEROISM AND GENIUS traces the enormous influence of the Catholic priesthood (and some Catholic lay people) throughout the centuries following the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Ordained to the priesthood by Saint John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica in 1991, Father William J. Slattery, Ph.D., S.T.L., has given Ignatian retreats in English and French in North America, and has founded a new order of priests, the Society of Ignatians, whose candidates will begin formation in July of next year.

While heroes today are reality TV stars, Father Slattery gives sketches of true heroes, the Catholic priests who have stood in an unbroken line extending two thousand years as defenders of humanity and self-sacrifice. HEROISM AND GENIUS goes behind-the-scenes of every major era and reveals the role of the Catholic Church and her servants — from the court of Charlemagne to the advancement of the dignity of women in Western culture to the fight against infanticide until the twelfth century.

HEROISM AND GENIUS makes every effort to demonstrate that Catholics cannot be Catholic by imprisoning themselves in the modern age, that they need to understand history in order to build a future rooted in Catholic values.

"I am happy to recommend Fr. William Slattery's book … [about] the ethos of heroism and genius that inspirited the builders of Christian civilization — and that can inspire the builders of another Christian culture in the future, whether in Africa, Asia, Europe or the Americas," said Cardinal Robert Sarah, author of God or Nothing and The Power of Silence.

For more information, to request a review copy or to schedule an interview with Fr. William Slattery, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.