The Secret Cardinal

The Secret Cardinal, by Tom Grace, is an extremely good book. It is based on true events, and the inspirations of courage, honor and faith are clearly visible when you read it. The book is written marvelously, inciting feelings of outrage, sorrow and hope in you while you read.

A Roman Catholic bishop has been imprisoned by the Chinese communist government for decades. Roman Catholicism in China is outlawed--although you can be Catholic, it must be Chinese Catholic and loyal only to the government, not the Holy Father, Successor to Peter. Bishop Yin was originally sentenced for execution due to his seemingly endless faith in Christ and Rome, but was later moved into solitary confinement as a life sentence.

Suddenly, a Navy SEAL by the name of Nolan Kilkenny is enlisted by the Pope to get Bishop Yin out of China. And no plan with "acceptable enemy losses" will be allowed under the Holy Father's watch. Kilkenny sets out with a group of brave friends and infiltrates the prison where the bishop is kept--and with the memorable words, Peter sent me. Your request of deliverance from evil has been granted, smuggles Yin out of the prison, and into the terribly dangerous Chinese country.

While this is going on, the Pope dies and a new one must be elected; a recording from the Pope reveals that Bishop Yin was considered a Cardinal in the Holy Father's heart but could not be formally recognized due to the issues of safety. The deceased Pope asks that Yin be considered for the papacy, and it seems a sign from God--but someone in the Vatican has leaked vital news, and China is out to kill the secret cardinal, with more determination than ever.

Witness horrible martyrdom, stirring professions of faith, and touching moments as this bishop is moved to freedom.
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This is a GREAT book. It is based off of true events, and the martyrs you see throughout the novel are extremely realistic. Even today, men and women and children are massacred--or worse--for their faith.

I devoured it - I bought the paperback today at around 1:30PM and finished it by 8:00PM. You must read it, even if not Catholic. It is inspiring, and a great piece of work. There is a touch of humor, a lot of mystery and politics and espionage and religion.

The trailer first caught my attention ( http://www.secretcardinalbook.com/trailer.html ) and an interview with the author, Tom Grace, on the Catholic Critic of RealCatholicTV made my decision to read it final. I was not disappointed, and you won't be either. My only warning is that there are about five pages in which a family is tortured because of their faith. Their martyrdom is described vividly.

I cried.