“Lacaille’s story is at times harrowing. At other times, it is heroic, although he would most certainly deny any heroism . . . . Rebel Priest is a valuable document. It provides a personal story of a movement in the Catholic Church that stood up against monopoly capitalism and dictatorship.” —Ron Jacobs, counterpunch.org
“The secret lies in the metaphor, the lovely ‘closing the windows that John XXIII had opened to let fresh air in.’ Because the entire book is beautifully written, and admirably translated by Casey Roberts, making its thoughtful points throughout in wonderful, poetic language . . . . As Lacaille recounts these colourful missions, the book really does come to life. There is a potted political history of South America. There are masses in Creole, touching anecdotes, and crises of faith (‘People are starving to death and I’m singing masses!’). There are visits to Quebec’s Inuit and the potato fields of New Brunswick. And, most strikingly, there is wrenching poverty, political prisoners, terror, repression, activism, and resistance in Chile. A fascinating, inspiring read.” —Peter McCambridge, quebecreads.com
“The author’s accounts of his ministry contain some humour (soldiers who mistake the Bible for a local revolutionary document), much sadness, and tragedy more real than any Hollywood narrative . . . . Lacaille’s autobiography has all the ingredients of great fiction, which makes it more astonishing as truth.” —Matthew R. Anderson, Montreal Review of Books