Theology Of The Priesthood

The Theology of Priesthood is the result of a two-year seminar and dialogue on the priesthood sponsored by the Central Province of Dominican Friars. The goal of the seminar was to promote dialogue around varied theological issues and pastoral concerns, representing diverse viewpoints, in order to deepen our understanding of priesthood in the Roman Catholic tradition. The focus was on the historical, liturgical, and theological aspects of priesthood that require further reflection.

Since the end of Vatican II, in 1965, more active involvement of the laity has led many people to wonder about the priestಙs place in the Church. In this masterful work, theologian Jean Galot, S.J., clarifies the nature of the priesthood. He explains how the Jewish priesthood, the perfect priestly ministry of Jesus, and the role of the Twelve help us understand the ministerial priesthood. He considers how the ಜpriesthood of the faithfulಝ and the ministerial priesthood relate to each other, and how the latter is, by Godಙs design, necessary for the former. Theology of the Priesthood carefully examines the priestಙs role as minister of sacrifice and the sacraments, prophet of the Word, and leader of the Church. These and other aspects are summed up, according to Galot, in the priestಙs ministry as shepherd. This ministery is itself a sharing in Jesusಙ role as Shepherd: ಜThe priest does not draw the inspiration for his pastoral zeal from his own feelings, from his own personal resolve to create a better worldಝ, Fr. Galot writes. ಜHe is shepherd on the strength of Godಙs pastoral intention and represents specifically Christ the shepherd. Consequently, he is called upon to fulfill his pastoral mission not according to ideas of his own and his own personal ambitions, but in keeping with Godಙs own dispensation and the design of salvation devised by the Father and carried out by Christ. Like Jesus himself, the priest is at the service of the Father.ಝ The book also explores the spiritual life of priests, including the role of celibacy. It concludes with a discussion demonstrating that the male character of the ministerial priesthood is based on the will of Jesus and is not contrary to womenಙs dignity on their role in the Church.

An Ignatius Press Reprint Ignatius Press Reprints are identical in content with the most recent print edition of the original title. In order to keep important titles available at reasonable prices, we reprint them digitally in small quantities. We use high quality, acid-free paper, but the books are not smyth-sewn as is customary with our offset press print editions. In this masterful and classic study, renowned Jesuit theologian Jean Galot explains the nature of the priesthood. He examines how the Jewish priesthood, the perfect priestly ministry of Jesus, and the role of the Twelve in the early Church helps us understand the ministerial priesthood in the Catholic Church today. The book also explores the spiritual life of priests, including the role of celibacy. It concludes with a discussion demonstrating that the male character of the ministerial priesthood is based on the will of Jesus and that it is not contrary to the dignity of women or their role in the Church.

By engaging in conversation with those whose experience, perspectives, and theological traditions vary from their own, the contributors to The Theology of Priesthood explore in detail the fundamental questions being asked about the ordained priesthood today. Priests, deacons, and students of theology will find these articles an engaging means to understanding Church, ministry, and priesthood more deeply. The Theology of Priesthood includes ten essays that explore facets of ordained ministry and the ministerial priesthood. Paul Philibert, OP, begins with an overview of issues involved in the contemporary discussion on priesthood within the Roman Catholic tradition. Frank Quinn, OP, addresses the significance of language as it pertains to priesthood and ministry and how language is manifested in rites of ordination. Thomas O'Meara, OP, situates the discussion on priesthood within the context of an expansion of ministry in the Church since Vatican II and the implications of this expansion for ministry in the future. Stephen DeLeers articulates a theology of priesthood grounded in Vatican II and post-Vatican II documents which focuses on the primacy of preaching. Thomas Rausch, SJ, then takes up the issue of diversity within ministerial priesthood as he reflects on priesthood within the context of apostolic religious life. Jack Risley, OP, returns to the question of the relationship between ordained ministry and lay ministry. The final three articles reflect on ordained ministry from distinctive perspectives. Benedict Ashley, OP, takes the Letter to the Hebrews as his starting point. Paul Wesche looks at priesthood through the lens of an Eastern Orthodox priest. Donald Goergen, OP, asks what insights African theology, specifically African Christology, might offer a contemporary Catholic theology of priesthood. Paul Philibert, OP, provides a concluding reflection. Donald J. Goergen, OP, is a preacher, teacher, lecturer, author, and theologian who taught systematic theology for many years. He was also previously the provincial for the Dominican friars of the Central Province. He is the editor of A Theology of Jesus series, and Being a Priest Today published by Liturgical Press.

It is generally accepted that since the end of Vatican II there has been a crisis in the Catholic priesthood. This is reflected in two areas in particular--defections from the priesthood and a serious decline in vocations, primarily in the developed countries of the West. John Paul II has addressed this situation many times during his pontificate, especially in Pastores dabo vobis where he offers a clear theological vision and a program of formation to overcome the current crisis of priestly identity. In his new book McGovern offers a deep analysis of the Pope's theology of priesthood, drawing not only from Pastores dabo vobis, but also from his Holy Thursday Letters and other important writings on this topic. In this study the author deals with core aspects of priestly identity under three main headings--theological, spiritual, and pastoral--in the context of service to the lay faithful and the evangelization required of the Church in the new millennium.

There are many investigations of the Old Testament priests and the New Testament’s appropriation of such imagery for Jesus Christ. There are also studies of Israel’s corporate priesthood and what this means for the priesthood of God’s new covenant people. However, such studies are less frequently connected with each other: key interrelations are missed, and key questions are not addressed. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Andrew S. Malone makes two passes across the tapestry of Scripture, tracing these two distinct threads and their intersection with an eye to the contemporary Christian relevance of both themes in both Testaments. Malone shows how our Christology and perseverance as God’s people in an unbelieving world are substantially enhanced by the way the book of Hebrews pastorally depicts Christ’s own priesthood. Furthermore, Christians better understand their corporate identity and mission by discerning both the ministry of individual Old Testament priests and Israel’s corporate calling. Combining the various biblical emphases on priesthood in one place provides synergies that are too easily disregarded in atomizing, individualistic Western societies. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Hans Urs von Balthasar's writings have pastoral implications that even now are barely recognised and hardly developed. Here a pastorally experienced theologian, who knew von Balthasar personally, unfolds this pastoral dimension for the first time. Integrating Christology and Ecclesiology with the profound spirituality that for von Balthasar is inseparable from authentic theology, Fr Power demonstrates the paradoxical grandeur and weakness of the Catholic priesthood. He highlights the roles of the Catholic priest as servant, bridegroom, shepherd, victim, teacher, prophet, celebrant and minister of reconciliation. At a time when many priests feel their identity called into question, this book offers new hope for the renewal of the priesthood in the Catholic Church.

"Explores the doctrine of the priesthood of the baptized and examines its significance for the spiritual growth of the faithful and the revitalization of the church"--Provided by publisher.