Eamon Duffy is Reader in Church History in the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Magdalene College. He is the author of The Stripping of the Altars and Saints and Sinners, a history of the popes, both published by Yale University Press. Also by this author The Diplomat Get Commonweal’s latest, delivered twice weekly. Email address Published in the November 5, 2004 issue: View Contents Recommended for you The Importance of Being a Burden By Cathleen Kaveny July 30, 2026 Imitation of Life By Dorothy Fortenberry August 5, 2026 ‘They Don’t Want to Say Yes’ By Phyllis Zagano July 28, 2026