by John Wijngaards. Published by Acadian House Publisher, 2022. (USD 22.95). Reviewed by Anton Spelman

John Wijngaards is not a household name in Aotearoa but his life story covers many themes we understand well.

Ten Commandments for Church Reform is the memoirs of Wijngaards, a Dutch Mill Hill Missionary priest, who worked in India and across Europe for 39 years from 1959. While studying in Rome, he helped organise effective opposition to conservative Curia controls that threatened the direction of Vatican ll before it had started.

Wijngaards’ strong character and commitment to pastoral integrity shaped his advocacy work on Humanae Vitae, the ordination of women, the inclusion of homosexuals and the need to abolish compulsory celibacy for priests and religious.

Extensive work to educate priests led him to reflect critically on the isolation in the role of priest. In time his conscience led him to laicisation and marriage to Jackie Clackson in 2000.

Then his role expanded — from adult catechesis to the reform of the Catholic Church worldwide. Through the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research, he coordinates international research on Catholic issues and their dissemination via the internet, eg, women priests — see www.womenpriests.org.

Ten Commandments for Church Reform is a worthwhile read in these synodal times.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 269 April 2022: 27