Who Do We Think We Are?

Christopher A. Fallon studied Theology and Pastoral Ministry in Durham and Denver (USA) before serving as a Catholic Priest in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, UK.

With a balanced perspective, theological depth, and social science literacy, Christopher Fallon has written a work that will be helpful far beyond the Diocese of Liverpool, which is the focus of his study. This work is appreciative of the priesthood, and yet offers candid critiques of it. It is done out of commitment to ministry in the church, but recognizes the weaknesses of the church and its leadership. It takes a hard look at a struggling Catholicism and priesthood within it, and yet clearly has hopes for them both. Fallon offers a penetrating analysis of models of priesthood and understandings of the world, the church, and church authority, and proposes clear, concrete, and creative responses to the challenges and opportunities his analyses offer. Bishops in particular should read this work, but also priests, religious, and laity.

• Table of Contents Table of Figures Abbreviations Introduction1. The historical context for this study: a story of survival, revival, expansion and decline2. The evolution and methodology of this project3. Five theories emerging from the qualitative data: interviews, diaries, focus groups and case study4. Confirmatory data from the survey5. Conclusions and recommendations6. Summary and discussion of the evidence7. Concerns about workload8. Concerns about change in society and the Church’s response9. Concerns about the experience of the presbyterate in the Archdiocese of Liverpool10. Recommendations11. Recommendations relating to workload12. Recommendations relating to change in society and the Church’s response13. Recommendations relating to the experience of the presbyterate in this diocese14. Progress towards implementing some of the recommendations15. Avenues for further researchAppendix 1: Research Grant ApplicationAppendix 2: Leaving Safe Harbours DVD ScriptAppendix 3: Leaving Safe Harbours Implementation ProcessAppendix 4: Archbishop Kelly’s address to Permanent DeaconsAppendix 5: Participant Information Sheet and Consent FormAppendix 6: Survey sent to all participants in the studyBibliography