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

Donald B. Cozzens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

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, 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."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Changing Face of the Priesthood is a remarkable survey of the state of American Catholic clergy today. Donald Cozzens, the president-rector of Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland, combines personal reflection and analysis of empirical data in this brief but wide-ranging book. To explain the shrinking of clerical ranks that has occurred in recent decades, Cozzens tells a familiar story: "As the vision of the [Second Vatican Council] became ever clearer, the cultic, pre-conciliar model of priesthood entered into a creative balance with the servant-leader model. The clear identity, the unquestioned status, the exalted privilege--features that helped priests deal with the sacrifices and crosses inherent to their vocation--began to blur." With astonishing candor, Cozzens also zeroes in on some of the more provocative issues among clergy; his discussions of celibacy, homosexuality, and sexual abuse of children are particularly insightful. Each of these discussions is driven by the author's fascination with the way that priests since Vatican II have "haltingly acknowledged a need, linked to the very soul of their spirituality, for authentic, human intimacy." This is a smart and loving way of understanding some of the biggest problems of the priesthood. And readers who learn to emulate this book's clear-eyed compassion will gain great advantage in that never-ending process of helping to heal the church. --Michael Joseph Gross

Review

". . . 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 parishoners 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

"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

"It is full of wisdom and insights, success and failure, hope buttressed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." -- Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., 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

"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

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press; Reprint. edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814625045
• ISBN-13: 978-0814625040
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candid about the problems, hopeful about solutions, April 24, 2000

By 

D. W WISELY "chiffandfipple" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Changing Face of the Priesthood: A Reflection on the Priest's Crisis of Soul (Paperback)

Father Cozzens is highly qualified to write this book. He has a doctorate in psychology and decades of experience as a priest, vicar of clergy, and seminary rector. What he has given us is a courageous and unblinking analysis of the crises of the American priesthood. The tone is consistently respectful and by no means is this to be understood as an attack on the Church. He never engages in hopelessness and hand-wringing or in bitter critique of the hierarchy. Each presentation of the problems facing the priesthood (the identify confusion, psychological/developmental problems, sexual misconduct) is accompanied by hopeful commentary on how to address these problems. Every priest, every bishop, and every serious Catholic should read this fine book.

95 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Honest, Intellectual Insight into the Priesthood, March 28, 2000

By 

Melissa A. Hopkins (Highland Hts., Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Changing Face of the Priesthood: A Reflection on the Priest's Crisis of Soul (Paperback)

Father Donald Cozzens' book is an extremely honest and intellectual insight into today's priesthood. He shows much courage in opening doors that many are afriad of even in this day and age. It encourages all to be openminded and reflective and to not be afraid of honest discussions. This book should be read by all Catholics for it not only shows us the realities of our Church but also mirrors a wonderful way to view ourselves as laity and married persons.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Honest Look At Problems Too Long Avoided, February 21, 2001

By 

Peter Fennessy (Bloomfield Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Changing Face of the Priesthood: A Reflection on the Priest's Crisis of Soul (Paperback)

There are many problems facing the Catholic priesthood today - one could speak of a crisis. Silence and denial are the usual clerical responses to the issues. Donald Cozzens has taken the road of speaking out honestly. That will be resented by many and seen as betrayal by some. But Cozzens clearly loves the priesthood and the priests who at great cost to themselves have done and will continue to do enormous good. As a former diocesan and seminary administrator, a counselor, priest, and teacher of pastoral theology and psychology, one who has been reflecting for the last twenty years on the challenges facing the modern priest, he deserves to be heard. The real hope for the future rests on facing the challenges and issues squarely, and on taking an unblinking look at what threatens the integrity and mission of priests today. His topics include priestly identity, integrity, celibacy and intimacy, psychological complexes, maturity, preaching, homosexuality, pedophilia, and a hopeful look toward the future. The press has focused on the sexual issues, but the need for personal integrity is perhaps more basic. It was undoubtedly a painful book to write and can be painful book to read, but ultimately its honesty about the issues and its affirmation of the priesthood give hope. His adapting of Freud's Oedipal Complex to analyze priestly psychology may be his most original contribution but the one to which particular objection will probably be made. This is a well written and important book for anyone concerned with the future of the Catholic clergy.