| "Dr Lovatt strikes me as the kind of fellow I'd like
to hang out with and talk philosophy (or any subject) over fish and chips
and a pint of Guiness. His writing is – to quote one of my old professors
from Middlesex College, Dr. Gaffigan – "crisp, crackling, and biting
as a winter breeze." The union of compelling ideas and good writing is
in short supply these days. Dr Lovatt's book is a refreshing reminder that
some people still think … and write remarkably well." [Edward Moore STL
PhD, patristics@gmail.com] |
| "You're an excellent writer and poet in my humble opinion.
Always enjoy your writing. It touches the mind, the heart, the soul and
the emotions." [Gerald Peter Wensveen] |
| "Dr Lovatt's poetry is really beautiful, superb" [Liggy
Webb, liggy@thelearningarchitect.com] |
| "I read some of your poetry and think it is beautiful.
Wish I could write like that, but I can see that you were deeply inspired.
Poetry like that only comes at certain times in one's life. I could not
fault it either. On first reading it all flowed easily. You love with no
reservation. In some ways I envy you your love. I always have doubts about
mine." [Private correspondence from a female reader.] |
| "I read your poems and wow they remind me so much of
this boy I'm so in love with like 'Him'; and the one where you say he touched
you. I just wanted to let you know that I love these poems." [Private correspondence
from a male reader.] |
| "Your poems really hit the spot and are heart warmingly
felt with pasion and delight!" [Private correspondence from a male
reader.] |
| "Stephen has the patience of Job, the sharpness of mind
and the deepness of thought of the kind of philosopher and theologian that
I once thought gone for good from the Catholic intelligentsia. I await
his next book to appear! Thank you for being willing to discuss questions
which 'everybody thinks of but nobody dares to ask.'" [Private correspondence
from a Roman Catholic Priest] |
| "I am delighted by both your gay and traditional Catholic
themes, as well as by the clear and eloquent manner in which you explain
and explore philosophical and theological ideas." [Private correspondence
from a lay Catholic] |
| "Thanks for the traditionalist views and research. It's
true, we have lost so much in all the confusion. Does anyone know what
a real Catholic is anymore?" [Private correspondence from a lay Catholic] |
| "My prayer is that God will continue to bless you and
be with you in your walk through life and that he will give you many opportunities
to minister to others in a very powerful and meaningful way." [Private
correspondence from a lay Catholic] |
| "I've always leaned toward Platonism. You're the first
person who ever suggested to me that a return to Platonism is the solution
for many difficulties in the church! 'Radical traditionalist' indeed! I'm
also struck by the clarity and balance of your thought. We deal continuously
in cyberspace with conservatives that can't entertain the possibility of
change." [Private correspondence from a lay Catholic] |
| "After many years, I finally found someone with whom
I could agree... Take care, and God bless you. What impresses me the most
is the lucidity of your statements, in spite of the most blatant opposition."
[Private correspondence from a lay Catholic] |
| "I'm a 21 year old, queer Catholic living in a university
town within America's Bible Belt. Many of your comments are particularly
pertinent to my parish as I constantly see debates and debaucles between
'conservatives' and 'liberals' or 'orthodox' and 'heretics' as some put
it. Your [words] make such petty bickering (which I choose to avoid) seem
even more infantile. As I serve as a Sacristan for my parish, I am constantly
trying to find ways of approaching the holiness of the mass and the dignity
of catholicism with greater reverance. I would like to conclude by saying
I hope your voice finds its way to more ears needing to hear a little more
reason." [Private correspondence from a lay Catholic] |
| "I appreciate especially your reasoning on matters. Logical
engagement is not my finest strong point as I rather intuit or come from
a poetic perspective, so it is most helpful to see someone coming at matters
logically. I only wish I had discovered your book when I was coming out
as an undergraduate, reading through stacks of works to think through the
matter, and finding myself up against a brick wall with regard to current
Vatican statements and the relatively poor pastoral care of priests in
helping me wade through. I might have found more grounds for staying and
dissenting." [Private correspondence from a lay Anglican - ex Catholic] |