Description
Book SynopsisControversy about the Catholic priesthood is nothing new. Just like laity, priests (including bishops and popes) have always been sinners. Some priests, like some laity, have caused grave scandal throughout the 2000-year history of the Church. Two questions arise from this reality. Why did Jesus Christ establish a ministerial priesthood for his Church, if the priesthood would sometimes cause scandalwhat did he intend for the priesthood? Second, what has the Catholic Church in past times done about scandal in the priesthoodhow has the Church corrected its priests and encouraged priests to lead lives of holiness? Amidst the noisy din of talking heads and self-proclaimed experts, this book offers solid warnings and directions about the priesthood from 15 saints of the past two millennia. On the Priesthood serves as a readable guide for priests, seminarians, and educated readers seeking to learn more about the simultaneous unworthiness and dignity of the priesthood. Always challenging and penetrating, the selections unite around one key point; the need for holiness.
Trade ReviewAn excellent gift for a priest of your acquaintance who may, from time to time, feel beleaguered of bewildered about what it means to be a priest. * First Things *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 St. Clement of Rome Chapter 2 St. Ignatius of Antioch Chapter 3 St. Polycarp of Smyrna Chapter 4 St. John Chrysostom Chapter 5 St. Ambrose Chapter 6 St. Gregory the Great Chapter 7 St. Bernard of Clairvaux Chapter 8 St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter 9 St. Catherine of Siena Chapter 10 St. Thomas More Chapter 11 St. Jane de Chantal Chapter 12 Jean-Jacques Olier Chapter 13 John Henry Newman Chapter 14 The Second Vatican Council Chapter 15 Pope John Paul II
