The Outsider Pope: Where is Francis Leading Our Church?

This latest Helder Camara lecture will feature The Tablet’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb. Founded in 1840, the weekly journal is a hugely influential voice amongst the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

Joining in 2009 from the Daily Telegraph, Christopher Lamb also appears regularly on TV news around the world. In his book, 'The Outsider': Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church, Christopher reflects on the depth of his access to the Vatican, and his ringside seat witnessing Pope Francis’ battle to renew the church – suggesting “the forces seeking to block a Pope’s agenda” have “not been this powerful since the Renaissance”. He also reflects on Pope Francis the human being – “a reforming, enigmatic figure,” whose unique journey to becoming Pope has a Gospel-shaped, forward-thinking outlook – and leads him to challenge the church on clerical sexual abuse, injustice, and the exploitation of the world’s most vulnerable people – including refugees and those in poverty.

The lecture is free but bookings are essential by 4 July to mark.oconnor@marists.org.au