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by Margaret Stack (Author), Carol Cronin Weisfeld (Preface by), Jeannine Gramick (Afterword by)
God in the House finally tells the untold story of the Rev. Anthony "Tony" Kosnik, the courageous Catholic priest and scholar who co-authored the groundbreaking 1977 report on human sexuality that challenged traditional teachings and sent shockwaves through Catholic institutions.
Written by his wife, Margaret Stack Kosnik, a clinical psychologist, this biography traces Tony's life from his Polish Catholic upbringing in Detroit, through his seminary training and priesthood, to his co-authorship of "Human Sexuality: New Directions in American Catholic Thought," the report that the challenged the legacy of Catholic teaching and set Vatican officials on a mission to discredit him and his work. The book explores the personal and professional fallout from that work, including Kosnik's eventual forced departure from seminary teaching, his continued advocacy for Church reform, and his later years as a teacher and ethics consultant. Throughout, Margaret weaves in reflections on psychological development, systems theory, and spiritual growth. To demonstrate the prophetic nature of Kosnik's early work, the author also summarizes the current social-science research on the issues of marriage and sexual orientation, which show social science and theology converging.
The story is a dual portrait: of a man striving for integrity and prophetic witness within a conservative institution, and of a couple's quest for compassion, truth, justice, and integrity in the face of ecclesial resistance. This blend of biography, memoir, and theological reflection is ideal for readers interested in spiritual memoirs, moral theology, the slowly changing nature of Catholic moral and social teaching, and the intersections of faith, psychology, and social justice. Margaret, herself a seasoned clinician, brings depth and insight to the narrative, exploring how Tony's conscience and courage intersected with the pressures of clerical life and theological debate. The result is a compelling book for individual reading and reflection or for group discussion about themes of reform and resistance in the post-Vatican II Catholic Church.
