Reviews
With boldness and wisdom, with enormous sensitivity and unflinching honesty, Fr. Donald Cozzens skillfully analyzes the issues and challenges that throw both shadow and light upon today's Roman Catholic priesthood. An enlightened study that draws on empirical data as well as pastoral experience. Should be a must read for all bishops, priests, seminarians.
William H. Shannon, Professor Emeritus, Religious Studies, Nazareth College of Rochester
. . . speaks with deep reverence and raw honesty about issues, challenges, concerns and realities impacting on priests and the Church in today's world. . . . The reading and discussion of this work by priests and parishioners alike will provide insight, argumentation, challenge and hope. The author demonstrates great courage in facing the agonies and ecstasies of the priesthood today.
Bishop Robert Morneau
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 honest assessment of the American priesthood I have read in years. I found myself continuously underlining passages, and putting yes!' in the margins.
Paul Wilkes, Author of The Good Enough Catholic: A Guide for the Perplexed and In Mysterious Ways: The Death and Life of a Parish Priest
. . . what Father Cozzens . . . has embarked upon is as comprehensive and honest an examination of conscience of the American priesthood as we have seen.
America
Drawing from years of experience and study, Fr. Don Cozzens artistically paints the very soul of the priesthood. The result is a masterpiece which captures its triumphs and tribulations, hopes and doubts, loves and disillusions, and the mysterious powers that sustain it. The Changing Face of the Priesthood could not be more timely as we enter the new millennium in hopes of a renewed priesthood.
Rev. Eugene F. Hemrick, Syndicated Columnist, Catholic News Service, Research Associate, The Catholic University of America, Research Director, The Washington Theological Union
Drawing from years of experience and study, Fr. Don Cozzens artistically paints the very soul of the priesthood. The result is a masterpiece which captures its triumphs and tribulations, hopes and doubts, loves and disillusions, and the mysterious powers that sustain it. The Changing Face of the Priesthood could not be more timely as we enter the new millennium in hopes of a renewed priesthood.
Rev. Eugene F. Hemrick, Syndicated Columnist, Catholic News Service, Research Associate, The Catholic University of America, Research Director, The Washington Theological Union
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
It is Cozzens' love for the priesthood that motivates the book. He speaks warmly of the majority of priests in whom he finds great hope.
National Catholic Reporter
The signs of hope he finds are encouraging. 'Behind the changing face of the priesthood remains the saving face of Jesus the Christ.' This study helps to reveal that saving face.
Prairie Messenger
Cozzens' most important virtue is his courage to say what his experience has taught him. For this alone, his book deserves a wide and respectful readership.
Commonweal
This book is both courageous and timely. It should be required reading for bishops, priests, seminarians, and ministerial students who wish to find a reliable and balanced assessment of the priesthood based on clinical data, church documents, theological research and pastoral experience.
Catholic Library World
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
It gave us insight into what's going on at the seminary.
In Trust
. . .honest and frank treatment of the issue of homosexuality in the priesthood.
Publishers Weekly
I found this little book hard to put down, compelling reading for all priests. . . . We can only hope that those in places of influence will not just read this book, but will fearlessly support and effect open dialogue during what is, in fact, the ever-changing face of the Priesthood.
Tui Motu InterIslands, New Zealand
John Paul II wrote in Pastores dabo vobis that priesthood is essentially relational. This book is mostly about relationships, relationships in flux that beg for careful dialogical reflection. Cozzens hopes his work encourages and serves that reflection. We think it does.
Church
For Catholics and non-Catholics alike who have thoughtor need to thinkabout the underlying issues that have precipitated the crisis, this is a must-read book.
Los Angeles Times
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
It gave us insight into what's going on at the seminary.
In Trust
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