Awards

• Winner of Catholic Press Association Book Award: Memoir 2019 (United States)
• Winner of Catholic Press Association Book Award: Memoir, Second Place 2020 (United States)
• Winner of Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award: Religion 2019 (United States)
• Winner of Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award: Religion, Gold Medal 2019 (United States)
• Winner of Foreword Review's INDIES Book of the Year Award, Religion 2019 (United States)

Overview

"International best-selling author and theologian Tomas Halik shares for the first time the dramatic story of his life as a secretly ordained priest in Communist Czechoslovakia. Inspired by Augustine's candid presentation of his own life, Halik writes about his spiritual journey within a framework of philosophical theology; his work has been compared to that of C. S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, and Henri Nouwen. Born in Prague in 1948, Halik spent his childhood under Stalinism. He describes his conversion to Christianity during the time of communist persecution of the church, his secret study of theology, and secret priesthood ordination in East Germany (even his mother was not allowed to know that her son was a priest). Halik speaks candidly of his doubts and crises of faith as well as of his conflicts within the church. He worked as a psychotherapist for over a decade and, at the same time, was active in the underground church and in the dissident movement with the legendary Cardinal Tomasek and Vaclav Havel, who proposed Halik as his successor to the Czech presidency. Since the fall of the regime, Halik has served as general secretary to the Czech Conference of Bishops and was an advisor to John Paul II and Vaclav Havel. Woven throughout Halik's story is the turbulent history of the church and society in the heart of Europe: the 1968 Prague Spring, the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the self-immolation of his classmate Jan Palach, the ""flying university,"" the 1989 Velvet Revolution, and the difficult transition from totalitarian communist regime to democracy. Thomas Halik was a direct witness to many of these events, and he provides valuable testimony about the backdrop of political events and personal memories of the key figures of that time. This volume is a must-read for anyone interested in Halik and the church as it was behind the Iron Curtain, as well as in where the church as a whole is headed today."

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9780268106775

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Reviews

From the Underground Church to Freedom is a spiritual autobiography in the tradition of St. Augustine's Confessions, John Henry Newman's Apologia Pro Vita Sua, and Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain. . . .the most interesting, challenging, and evocative dimension of Halik's autobiography is his intensely personal reflections both on the progress and development of his own spiritual life and the effect that the people that he meets and the events in which he is involved have on that development. -Catholic Outlook It is one thing to live in interesting times, quite another to write interestingly about them. Halik achieves this. . . . Read this account of the 'Church in the world' to learn where he finds grounds for hope. -The Irish Catholic Tomas Halik has been a prolific writer of theology, political commentary and analysis, and spiritual advice for more than thirty years, and he was of considerable importance in shaping the transition of the Czech Church after 1989; in addition, he was among John Paul II's close associates. His book is vivid, entertaining, and has a compelling storyline. I think From the Underground Church to Freedom will find a wide readership. -Paul J. Griffiths, author of Christian Flesh From the Underground Church to Freedomis a spiritual autobiography in the tradition of St. Augustine's Confessions, John Henry Newman's Apologia Pro Vita Sua and Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain. . . .the most interesting, challenging, and evocative dimension of Halik's autobiography is his intensely personal reflections both on the progress and development of his own spiritual life and the effect that the people that he meets and the events in which he is involved have on that development. -Catholic Outlook For Halik, the church was an aide to the revolution because it provided the spiritual impetus and educational institutions for a cultural conversion. The revolution did not create utopia . .. [b]ut it did usher in a new, hopeful way of looking at the world, and a renewed appreciation for truth and justice. -Commonweal An underground Catholic priest and member of the Czech resistance, Halik was important in bringing down the communist regime in that country . . . one has to admire his great courage and contribution to the end of totalitarianism in his country. -Law and Religion Forum It is possible that Halik is the most thoughtful, learned and interesting Catholic that is widely unknown in the United States today. Hopefully, this book will right that wrong. -America With eloquent sensitivity, Tomas Halik, a clandestinely ordained Roman Catholic priest, pulls back the Iron Curtain to illuminate a dark period of Czechoslovakian history. From the Underground Church to Freedom is a memoir enfolded with spiritual wisdom, incisive and frank in its assessment of Halik's life and of the continuing narrative of the church universal as she has moved into the twenty-first century. . . . Poignant and profound, this book is a needed reminder that hope springs eternal even in the face of overwhelming evil. -Foreword Reviews In this warm, reflective, and ultimately uplifting book, Tomas Halik, with deep wisdom and a light touch, weaves the story of his life, his spiritual journey, and the emergence of the modern Czech Republic into a compelling narrative. Turner's translation admirably captures Fr. Halik's rare combination of gentleness and steel. -Louise Richardson, vice-chancellor of Oxford University This is a remarkable book. But then Tomas Halik is a remarkable man. From the Underground Church to Freedom is engagingly written and articulate; it is the story of an apostle very much of our time. People of all convictions today will understand where he is coming from, even those who end up very far away from him. -Charles Taylor, author of A Secular Age The story of the religious movements in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet era is little known in contrast to the Polish, which is why Halik's memoirs, From the Underground Church to Freedom, are a truly fascinating read. Halik has become one of the most important religious voices from the East since the fall of the Berlin Wall. -Law and Liberty Halik's autobiography is a richly drawn self-portrait of a complex man who has a deep commitment to the Church and a desire to reconcile it with the contemporary world, yet one who has also known times of doubt and spiritual crisis, which he discusses with forthrightness. At the same time, it offers a vivid picture of the Czech Church under Communist rule and its aftermath. -Catholic Library World I need to tell you that your autobiography has hit our church like a storm. I do hope you know how deeply powerful your life story is. I am seeing day by day and hour by hour the impact it is having. -Rev. David Rowe, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield, Connecticut Tomas Halik's From the Underground Church to Freedom is one of the most fascinating books of a thoughtful reflecting witness of our times. He tells his experience of the troubled history since the second half of the last century seen through the eyes of a Czech priest and internationally renowned philosopher and theologian. It is a journey of experimental questioning and ongoing dialogue with many well-known witnesses of our times, a journey through all the darkness of the Marxist epoch, the hopes during the spring of Prague that turned to winter, the new Exodus with great expectations but also challenges and temptations during and after the Second Vatican Council, the collapse of Communism, and the blasts of wind and storms in our globalized world and within the present Church itself. This moving remembrance ends with an almost mystical outlook and journey to eternal silence. A book of rich life experience, wise discernment of the signs of the times, and hopeful outlook out of faith. -Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

Tom s Hal k has been a prolific writer of theology, political commentary and analysis, and spiritual advice for more than thirty years, and he was of considerable importance in shaping the transition of the Czech Church after 1989; in addition, he was among John Paul II's close associates. His book is vivid, entertaining, and has a compelling storyline. From the Underground Church to Freedom will find a wide readership. --Paul J. Griffiths, author of Christian Flesh This is a remarkable book. But then Tom s Hal k is a remarkable man. From the Underground Church to Freedom is engagingly written and articulate; it is the story of an apostle very much of our time. People of all convictions today will understand where he is coming from, even those who end up very far away from him. --Charles Taylor, author of A Secular Age

Tomas Halik's From the Underground Church to Freedom is one of the most fascinating books of a thoughtful reflecting witness of our times. He tells his experience of the troubled history since the second half of the last century seen through the eyes of a Czech priest and internationally renowned philosopher and theologian. It is a journey of experimental questioning and ongoing dialogue with many well-known witnesses of our times, a journey through all the darkness of the Marxist epoch, the hopes during the spring of Prague that turned to winter, the new Exodus with great expectations but also challenges and temptations during and after the Second Vatican Council, the collapse of Communism, and the blasts of wind and storms in our globalized world and within the present Church itself. This moving remembrance ends with an almost mystical outlook and journey to eternal silence. A book of rich life experience, wise discernment of the signs of the times, and hopeful outlook out of faith. -- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Tomas Halik has been a prolific writer of theology, political commentary and analysis, and spiritual advice for more than thirty years, and he was of considerable importance in shaping the transition of the Czech Church after 1989; in addition, he was among John Paul II's close associates. His book is vivid, entertaining, and has a compelling storyline. From the Underground Church to Freedom will find a wide readership. -- Paul J. Griffiths, author of <i>Christian Flesh</i> In this warm, reflective, and ultimately uplifting book, Tomas Halik, with deep wisdom and a light touch, weaves the story of his life, his spiritual journey, and the emergence of the modern Czech Republic into a compelling narrative. Turner's translation admirably captures Fr. Halik's rare combination of gentleness and steel. -- Louise Richardson, vice-chancellor of Oxford University With eloquent sensitivity, Tomas Halik, a clandestinely ordained Roman Catholic priest, pulls back the Iron Curtain to illuminate a dark period of Czechoslovakian history. From the Underground Church to Freedom is a memoir enfolded with spiritual wisdom, incisive and frank in its assessment of Halik's life and of the continuing narrative of the church universal as she has moved into the twenty-first century. . . . Poignant and profound, this book is a needed reminder that hope springs eternal even in the face of overwhelming evil. -- <i>Foreword Reviews</i> It is possible that Halik is the most thoughtful, learned and interesting Catholic that is widely unknown in the United States today. Hopefully, this book will right that wrong. -- <i>America</i> This is a remarkable book. But then Tomas Halik is a remarkable man. From the Underground Church to Freedom is engagingly written and articulate; it is the story of an apostle very much of our time. People of all convictions today will understand where he is coming from, even those who end up very far away from him. -- Charles Taylor, author of <i>A Secular Age</i> It is one thing to live in interesting times, quite another to write interestingly about them. Halik achieves this. . . . Read this account of the 'Church in the world' to learn where he finds grounds for hope. -- <i>The Irish Catholic</i> Halik's autobiography is a richly drawn self-portrait of a complex man who has a deep commitment to the Church and a desire to reconcile it with the contemporary world, yet one who has also known times of doubt and spiritual crisis, which he discusses with forthrightness. At the same time, it offers a vivid picture of the Czech Church under Communist rule and its aftermath. -- <i>Catholic Library World</i> I need to tell you that your autobiography has hit our church like a storm. I do hope you know how deeply powerful your life story is. I am seeing day by day and hour by hour the impact it is having. -- Rev. David Rowe, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield, Connecticut An underground Catholic priest and member of the Czech resistance, Halik was important in bringing down the communist regime in that country . . . one has to admire his great courage and contribution to the end of totalitarianism in his country. -- <i>Law and Religion Forum</i>

Author Information

Tomáš Halík is a Czech Roman Catholic priest, philosopher, theologian, and scholar. He is a professor of sociology at Charles University in Prague, pastor of the Academic Parish by St. Salvator Church in Prague, president of the Czech Christian Academy, and a winner of the Templeton Prize. His books, which are bestsellers in his own country, have been translated into nineteen languages and have received several literary prizes. He is the author of numerous books, including I Want You to Be: On the God of Love(University of Notre Dame Press, 2016, 2019), winner of the Catholic Press Association Book Award in Theology and Foreword Reviews' INDIES Book of the Year Award in Philosophy. Gerald Turner has translated numerous authors from Czechoslovakia, including Václav Havel, Ivan Klíma, and Ludvík Vaculík, among others. He received the US PEN Translation Award in 2004.

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