The goal of this book is to uncover the meaning of "human formation and development" as it appears in the new fifth edition of the Program of Priestly Formation and The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests. This book is unique in its careful analysis of the depths of human formation for seminarians and priests. Most books written since the awareness of the sexual-abuse crisis in the Church have generally addressed the causes of and remedies for the crisis. But few books outline the overall view of priestly formation. The inspiration for Catholic Priesthood came from numerous reporters and investigators who contacted the author with questions about priestly formation in the wake of the crisis. Paperback

Well written and well presented, Father Osborne's book is a solid overview of the history of the sacrament of holy orders not only for Roman Catholic clergy, but for clergy throughout the Christian world. It will help all of those in ministry to understand the relationships between laity and clergy more deeply, and it carefully delineates the deeper theological significance of women in ministry. By considering the ordained ministry from the standpoint of Jesus as the primordial minister, 'Priesthood' enhances the multiple nature of ministry in ecumenical dialogues of our contemporary world, making them less intransigent. With the extensive discussion on ministry today, 'Priesthood' is a welcome, timely and necessary contribution.

“The Church today demands a profound renewal of celibate priesthood and the fatherhood to which it is ordered.” Priestly celibacy, some say, is an outdated relic from another age. Others see it as a lonely way of life. But as Fr. Carter Griffin argues in Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest, the ancient practice of celibacy, when lived well, helps a priest exercise his spiritual fatherhood joyfully and fruitfully. Along the way, Griffin explores: the question of optional celibacy some pitfalls of celibate paternity the selection and formation of candidates for celibate priesthood why biological fathers are also called to spiritual fatherhood the powerful impact of celibacy on the Church and the wider culture In a critical moment for the Catholic priesthood, Fr. Griffin brings light and hope with a new perspective on the Church’s perennial wisdom on celibacy.

In recent years, the Catholic Church has suffered a deluge of accusations, bad press, and tragedies. Now is the time for the priesthood to recapture the faithfulness which led them to their calling, and to inspire their laity as never before. A timely, urgent handbook for Catholics of every nation, Th e Catholic Priesthood offers a wake-up call not only to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, but to all Christians everywhere. Rev. Fr. Anthony O. Ezeokes firm grasp of Catholic teaching, the Churchs history, and the priesthood vocation off er an enlightening criticism of how the Church needs to return to the fundamental teachings of its beginning. Through short, easy-to-digest chapters, Rev. Father Ezeoke reviews the role of priests in the Old and New Testaments, Jesus as the High Priest, and the apostles calling to continue Jesuss ministry. He addresses specific questions related to some of the issues currently plaguing the Church today and offers hope and inspiration for change. Above all, he issues an encouraging plea for every member of the Catholic Church to reawaken the Gospel within their hearts. The Catholic Priesthood is the first step toward reviving hope within the Catholic Church and her flock.