Good Catholics

Patricia Miller is a Washington, D.C.--based journalist and editor who has written extensively about the intersection of politics, sex, and religion. She was the editor of Conscience magazine, the leading journal of pro-choice Catholic thought, and was the editor in chief of the daily health care briefings for National Journal.

"For anyone looking around in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent Hobby Lobby decision and asking, 'How did we get here?' [Good Catholics] provides your answer--and then some... An excellent primer on the dynamic issue of religion in reproductive health issues in the US." -- Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Conscience "Anyone interested in discovering how and why the abortion issue is so inextricably tied up with Catholicism will be fascinated by this important work." Publishers Weekly "The book will likely give off sparks. But if these sparks inspire people to study this potent moral question in an informed manner, it will have done a service to those on both sides of the divide -- and Miller's book is a good place to begin that study." National Catholic Reporter "While evangelical Christians ultimately brought down the contraception mandate, [Miller shows] they had big help from Catholics." Salon "Lends a voice to Catholics who support abortion rights, giving legitimacy to a group that is often overlooked in the abortion debate." Ms. Magazine "A page-turning thriller filled with courageous individuals." -- Lousewies van der Laan, Vice President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Conscience "Patricia Miller's excellent new book deals primarily with the top-down leadership of the Vatican and the bishops, who, it should be very clear, do not represent the views of most Catholics but are able to spook many politicians into thinking otherwise... Five stars." Free Inquiry "A serious study instead of what could have been a partisan puff piece." -- Mary E. Hunt Women's Review of Books "Thoroughly researched." -- Jim Hinch The Los Angeles Review of Books

• Acknowledgments Introduction: The Virgin, the Saint, and the Nun Part I: The History of an Idea 1. The Four Wise Women 2. The Dread Secret 3. Pope Patricia 4. Coming of Age 5. The Cardinal of Choice Part II: The Bishops' Lobby 6. The Bishops' Lobby 7. Showdown at Cairo 8. Matters of Conscience 9. Playing Politics 10. Health Care and Politics Redux Epilogue: The Philippines Notes Bibliography Index