"A startling account of corruption and hypocrisy at the heart of the Vatican. [This book] exposes the rot at the heart of the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church today. This brilliant piece of investigative writing is based on four years' authoritative research, including extensive interviews with those in power. The celibacy of priests, the condemnation of the use of contraceptives, the cover-up of countless cases of sexual abuse, the resignation of Benedict XVI, misogyny among the clergy, the dramatic fall in Europe of the number of vocations to the priesthood, the plotting against Pope Francis--all these issues are clouded in mystery and secrecy. [This] is a book that reveals these secrets and penetrates this enigma. It derives from a system founded on a clerical culture of secrecy which starts in junior seminaries and continues right up to the Vatican itself. It is based on the double lives of priests and on extreme homophobia. The resulting schizophrenia in the Church is hard to fathom. But the more a prelate is homophobic, the more likely it is that he is himself gay. 'Behind rigidity there is always something hidden, in many cases a double life.' These are the words of Pope Francis himself, and with them the Pope has unlocked the Closet. No one can claim to really understand the Catholic Church today until they have read this book. It reveals a truth that is extraordinary and disturbing."-- Amazon.com
Frédéric Martel Book order






- 2019
- 2019
Exploring the globalization of LGBT rights, Frédéric Martel's work spans over fifty countries, showcasing a diverse range of experiences and activism. Through interviews with individuals from various backgrounds, including a café owner in Jordan and a South African jurist, Martel highlights the struggles and triumphs of the gay community. He reveals the complexities of gay life in places like China and Iran, where social dynamics differ significantly. The narrative underscores the ongoing fight for acceptance and rights, amidst both progress and severe challenges faced by many.
- 2019
In the Closet of the Vatican
- 576 pages
- 21 hours of reading