Essays in Unruly Catholics explore how renowned Catholic literary figures Dante Alighieri, Oscar Wilde, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, and Gerard Manley Hopkins dealt with the disparities between their personal beliefs and the Church's official teachings. Contributors also suggest how controversial entertainers such as Madonna, Kevin Smith, Michael Moore, and Stephen Colbert practice forms of Catholicism perhaps worthy of respect. Most pointedly, Unruly Catholics addresses the recent sex abuse scandals, considers the possibility that the Church might be reformed from within, and presents three iconic figures-Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, and C.S. Lewis-as models of compassionate and reformist Christianity.

Marc DiPaolo (PhD in English, Drew University) is an assistant professor of English and Film at Oklahoma City University, and has published several books examining intersections between literature, popular culture, politics, and religion, including War, Politics and Superheroes (CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2011).