Priestly Ministry and the People of God: Hopes and Horizons

Richard R. Gaillardetz is the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and the current chair of the BC theology department.

Thomas H. Groome is director of the PhD program in theology and education at BC’s School of Theology and Ministry, and former director of BC’s Church in the 21st Century Center. Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (Australia) and is professor of systematic theology and Professor Ordinarius in BC’s School of Theology and Ministry, where he chairs the Ecclesiastical Faculty.

“And the people of God say: Amen! A brilliant practical theological examination of the Catholic priesthood. Both the process and the content of this book can lead us to a better future.”—Kathleen A. Cahalan, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, author, Introducing the Practice of Ministry

“This book is like a well-tuned and multi-layered orchestra voicing the future of the Church and the ministries that will enable it to flourish. We have long needed fresh and deep thinking about the priesthood involving all the people of God. Courageous in reimagining new ways of theologising about priesthood, Priestly Ministry and the People of God is essential reading for anyone interested in the leadership of the Church and the formation of its ministers and priests.”—Maeve Louise Heaney, President, Australian Catholic Theological Association

“There is no more pressing topic for scholarly as well as pastoral
consideration in the Church at this time than the future of priesthood and ministry. If you have any doubts then read this book. The fresh approach to questions simultaneously ancient and new is engaging, creative, and thought-provoking.”—Eamonn Conway, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick