Who Do We Think We Are?: How Catholic Priests Understand Themselves Today [Hardcover]

This empirical study explores how the sampled priests understand their priesthood. Chris A. Fallon reviews Liverpool's history of expansion and decline, which has left fewer and older priests serving fewer active Catholics and an undiminished number who still require baptisms, first communions, marriages and funerals. It contrasts the models of priesthood found in Liverpool with American studies of the cultic and servant leader models of priesthood, taking into account the theological viewpoints and personality profiles of the individuals who took part.Christopher A. Fallonstudied Theology and Pastoral Ministry in Durham and Denver (USA) before serving as a Catholic Priest in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, UK.

With a balanced perspective, theological depth, and social science literacy, Christopher Fallon has written a work that will be helpful far beyond the Diocese of Liverpool, which is the focus of his study. This work is appreciative of the priesthood, and yet offers candid critiques of it. It is done out of commitment to ministry in the church, but recognizes the weaknesses of the church and its leadership. It takes a hard look at a struggling Catholicism and priesthood within it, and yet clearly has hopes for them both. Fallon offers a penetrating analysis of models of priesthood and understandings of the world, the church, and church authority, and proposes clear, concrete, and creative responses to the challenges and opportunities his analyses offer. Bishops in particular should read this work, but also priests, religious, and laity. Stephen B. Bevans, Catholic Theological Union, USA

This work addresses a key problem in Roman Catholic practice today, namely the self understanding of those who are presbyters in Roman Catholic communities. Most attempts to address this problem derive from a systematic theology model of truth where doctrinal deduction from premises asserted as certain are then seen as offering solutions to practical anlƒ$