Mary Francis Cusack (1829–1899)

Mary Francis Cusack, known as 'The Nun of Kenmare', was for thirty years a nun within the Roman Catholic Church. She eventually left the church and, in addition to histories and naturalist studies, wrote a number of books highly critical of the Roman Church.

A central thesis of this volume is that the Roman Church is the enemy of liberty wherever it holds sway and is constantly attempting to broaden the geography of that sway. She writes, convincingly, that the Jeuit Order is the logical extension and conclusion of that doctrine of obedience which is at the heart of the extinguishment of individual liberties.

Her review, first published in 1896, finds the Jesuits behind such affairs as the Gunpowder Plot, the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and the Spanish Armada.

She comprehensively reviews the educational system peculiar to the Jesuits. She draws on authoritative writings within the Roman Church itself to point out contradictions over time in a church which denies it has ever changed and maintains it has always taught the same things. She does this most convincingly in her review of the doctrine of infallibility.

This book is an important analysis of the inner workings of the Roman Catholic organization and hierarchy.… (meer)