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The Changing Face of the Priesthood: A Reflection on the Priest's Crisis of Soul

ISBN: 9780814625040
Author(s): Donald Cozzens Publisher: Liturgical Press

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Few today would contest that the priesthood is in a state of crisis. The nature and implications of that crisis, however, remain the subject of considerable discussion and debate. In The Changing Face of the Priesthood, Fr Donald Cozzens offers insight into the crisis by reflecting on the issues, challenges, concerns, and realities of the priesthood today.

The same year that Pope John XXIII surprised the Catholic world with his call for an ecumenical council, Cozzens began his formal study of theology. As a seminarian he felt the shaking of the priesthood's foundations. The very face of the priesthood was evolving even as he arrived at his first parish assignment. A generation later, the face of the priesthood continues to reveal new contours, fascinating features, and sadly, some tragic blemishes.

In The Changing Face of the Priesthood, Cozzens takes a long, honest look at the present state of the priesthood. He provides this examination not merely from an empirical, scientific perspective but also from a personal, pastoral perspective. Drawing on clinical data, church documents, and his nearly forty years of pastoral experience, Cozzens gives shape and form to the changing face of the priesthood. Through his reflections he leads readers to both concern and hope for the priesthood of the twenty-first century.

Chapters are "Discovering an Identity", "Guarding One's Integrity", "Loving as a Celibate", "Facing the Unconscious", "Becoming a Man", "Tending the Word", "Considering Orientation", "Betraying Our Young", and "The Changing Face of the Priesthood".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Donald Cozzens, PhD, a priest and writer, is author of two award-winning titles, Sacred Silence and The Changing Face of the Priesthood, and editor of The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest, all published by Liturgical Press. He is writer in residence at John Carroll University where he teaches in the religious studies department.

REVIEWS:
"It is full of wisdom and insights, success and failure, hope buttressed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." ...Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

"This is the most important book on the priesthood I have read for many years. It is a breath of fresh air in that it is authentic, helpful, and open." ...Dean R. Hoge, Life Cycle Institute, The Catholic University of America

"What's valuable about this book is that Cozzens does more than simply name the issues. He points to where faith lies within all of this." ...Ron Rolheiser

"Two aspects of this book make it a bestseller: its subject matter and its usefulness. . . . Father Cozzens offers a serious approach to understanding the priesthood in the modern day." ...Priests and People

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Sacred Silence: Denial and the Crisis in the Church

ISBN: 9781875938940
Author(s): Donald Cozzens Publisher: John Garratt Publishing

BOOK DESCRIPTION
Bearer of the Word and champion of the oppressed, the Church nevertheless displays a puzzling propensity to denial and silence when faced with realities that threaten her centuries-old structure. In Sacred Silence, Donald Cozzens probes the conscious and unconscious dynamics that sustain the Church's culture of silence and points the Church in the direction of candor and honest dialogue.

REVIEWS
"A wise, well-informed, insightful, truth-telling observer of the Catholic priesthood, seminary life, and broader pastoral activities of church." ...Richard P. McBrien, Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

"This book is the next step in a debate which the Catholic community urgently needs." ...Dean R. Hoge, Life Cycle Institute, The Catholic University of America

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Freeing Celibacy

ISBN: 9781920721305
Author(s): Donald Cozzens Publisher: John Garratt Publishing

BOOK DESCRIPTION
2007 Catholic Press Association Award Winner!

Mandatory celibacy for Latin rite Catholic priests has been the norm for almost 900 years. Now the clergy sexual abuse scandal and the rapidly declining number of priests have pushed many of the faithful to the point of questioning this tradition of the church. To this sometimes tense discussion of sex and power Donald Cozzens brings his signature calmness, his own gifted experience of celibate life, and his talent for distilling the spiritual truth of the human condition.

Cozzens explores priestly celibacy as source of power and burden of obligation, as spiritual calling and gift of the Spirit. Putting mandatory celibacy in historic perspective, he examines the ancient and contemporary experience of married clergy in the Eastern churches and the Roman rite church. It is time, he concludes, to set celibacy free from canonical mandate to become what it is meant to be: a graced way of life for some but not all of the church's ordained ministers.

REVIEWS
"Many have questioned whether there is sufficient connection between priesthood and celibacy to warrant the Roman Rite requirement that only celibates be ordained. Few, however have argued as cogently as Donald Cozzens for that requirement to be abandoned. As a Bishop from Oceania, a region where the requirement of celibacy for ordination leads to a continued dearth of priests for evangelization, pastoral care and regular celebration of the Mass, I am deeply grateful to Donald Cozzens for setting out so compellingly the arguments for an urgent review of the present discipline in the Roman Rite. Pastoral bishops arguing for a reconsideration of the present insistence that Roman Rite priests be celibates, will be both helped and heartened by Donald Cozzens admirable review of the ecclesial and pastoral value of mandatory celibacy." ...Cardinal Thomas Williams, Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand

"Freeing Celibacy is one of the clearest and most straightforward examinations of the role of obligatory celibacy in the Roman Catholic priesthood and in the life of the Church. In his characteristically low-key, even gentle fashion, Father Cozzens effectively challenges each of the traditional defenses that have been mounted in support of the discipline. The book, in effect, points its finger at a massive elephant in the Church's living room that many still pretend not to see." ...Rev. Richard P. McBrien, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana

"Donald Cozzens' newest book is a true blessing. He concisely and persuasively argues to the clear conclusion: 'Charismatic celibacy will remain a great gift to the church. Mandated celibacy awaits repeal.' Basing his argument on careful historical analysis and clear theological understanding of the very nature of charisms in the life of the church, he concludes hopefully that 'the time has come to set celibacy free.' I am persuaded that those who carefully read this book will agree." ...Bishop Tom Gumbleton, Archdiocese of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan

"Fr. Donald Cozzens, a respected priest, teacher, seminary rector and author argues persuasively that the charism of celibacy a gift of the Spirit, should be distinguished and released from the canonical mandate of celibacy, as a condition for ordination to the priesthood. While recognizing the great contribution of priests gifted with the charism of celibacy to the Church, he empathizes with the priests, who strive by the grace of God to live the celibate life without being blessed with the charism of celibacy. He concludes, 'the time has come to set celibacy free.'" ...Most Rev. Joseph M. Sullivan, (Ret.) Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Brooklyn, New York

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Faith That Dares To Speak

ISBN: 9781920721145
Author(s): Donald Cozzens Publisher: John Garratt Publishing

BOOK DESCRIPTION
The Catholic Church at the dawn of the twenty-first century is arguably the last feudal system in the West. Once the feudal structure of the church is recognized, the bishops' response to the clergy abuse crisis comes into focus. Bishops and other church authorities reacted to the scandal the only way their feudal culture allowed — with secrecy, denial, and a no holds barred effort to protect the reputation, authority, and resources of the institution. While tragic, and in many cases reprehensible, their response was consistent with the way feudal systems function.

In Faith That Dares to Speak, Donald Cozzens addresses the laity's role in challenging a feudal church to embrace accountability and transparency and to bring light where there is now darkness. Awakened to their dignity and responsibility as full, equal, and adult members of the church, lay Catholics in North America are finding their voice and daring to speak to church authorities long accustomed to deferential obedience and compliance. Church life, Cozzens believes, will never be quite the same.

The current crisis in the Church, while profoundly disturbing and troubling, offers possibilities for a renewed and revitalized Church. In Faith That Dares to Speak, Cozzens believes underscores the critical need for laity and clergy to speak honestly and courageously to church authorities. He addresses the obstacles to faithful speech as well as the spiritual and moral foundations of mature, adult conversation and commitment. The current crisis in the Church, while profoundly disturbing and troubling, offers possibilities for a renewed and revitalized Church. In Faith That Dares to Speak, Cozzens believes underscores the critical need for laity and clergy to speak honestly and courageously to church authorities. He addresses the obstacles to faithful speech as well as the spiritual and moral foundations of mature, adult conversation and commitment.

Chapters include "The Courage to Speak,", "The Humility to Listen,", "Love That Dares to Question,", "The Liberation of the Laity,", "Voice of the Faithful,", and "Contemplative Conversation."

REVIEWS
"Given the distance between so many in Church leadership and so many in the pews, Faith That Dares To Speak is an even-handed witness to communion. It is compassionate, hopeful, forgiving and invitational. It belongs in the conversation as all Catholics build a Church for the 21st Century." ...VOTF Newsletter

"Faith That Dares to Speak is an often painful read, but it is a very hopeful book. It should encourage all of us to believe that the church we love can do and be better if we cultivate the courage to speak and act no matter what the cost. Anyone teaching ecclesiology, whether at the popular or scholarly level, in these difficult days for the church could well use it as a required reading. Cozzens does not avoid the neuralgic issues and does not hesitate to trace the problems to their sources not only in institutions but in the human heart. But he also has a vision of and hope for conversion. I hope Cozzens' courage—calm and respectful but unflinching—will inspire many of his fellow clerics, including bishops, to 'go and do likewise.'" ...Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM, Professor of New Testament and Christian Spirituality, Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, California

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The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest

ISBN: 9780814624210
Author(s): Donald Cozzens Publisher: Liturgical Press

BOOK DESCRIPTION
Beyond the dramatic drop in seminarians and the declining numbers of priests, beyond the sexual misconduct scandals shaking the confidence and trust once readily given to priests, a spiritual deepening and maturing is renewing the spirit and confidence of the diocesan priest. In this collection of essays, twelve priests (including four bishops) reflect on the spirituality of the diocesan priest from their personal and pastoral experience.

Have diocesan priests finally transcended the monastic and religious order spiritualities that have shaped their prayer and interior lives for centuries? Is a spirituality particular to the diocesan priest emerging precisely at a time when the priesthood is under such close scrutiny? The contributors — pastors, theologians, poets, and bishops — grapple with the maturing of the diocesan priest's soul, touch the mystery of the priesthood, and unveil personal, often moving, dramas of grace.

Contributors and their articles include "Tenders of the Word" by Donald B. Cozzens, "Personal Symbol of Communion" by Denis Edwards, "Confessions of a Pilgrim Pastor" by William Hammer, "A Kindled Heart" by Frank McNulty, "A Glorious and Transcendent Place" by Robert F. Morneau, "The Conciliar Documents and the 1983 Code" by Edward G. Pfnausch, "Ruminations of a Canonist" by James H. Provost, "Heralds of the Gospel and Experts in Humanity" by Sylvester D. Ryan, "Servant of the Servants of God" by Robert Schwartz, "Speaking Out for the Inside" by William H. Shannon, "Paul of Tarsus: A Model for Diocesan Priesthood" by Richard J. Sklba, and "Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest: Using the Wrong Measure?" by Kenneth Untener.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Donald Cozzens, PhD, a priest and writer, is author of two award-winning titles, Sacred Silence and The Changing Face of the Priesthood, and editor of The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest, all published by Liturgical Press. He is writer in residence at John Carroll University where he teaches in the religious studies department.