Paul Collins is a former parish priest, broadcaster, historian, and writer. He is the author of including Absolute Power: How the Pope Became the Most Influential Man in the World (2018), The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth Century (2013), and Judgment Day: The Struggle for life on Earth (2010) and many other books. His articles and essays have appeared in the London Tablet, National Catholic Reporter, and magazines across Australia, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Collins resides in Canberra, Australia.

Using his considerable knowledge as a historian, Paul Collins has produced a challenging study of priesthood in the Catholic Church and the need for renewal within its ranks. He calls the church to an understanding of leadership grounded in Scripture and authentic tradition. Ministry, he argues, is the work of the whole people of God and not that of a privileged and divinized group of celibate males: the church should, therefore, end enforced celibacy and open its doors to encourage women’s full participation in ministry.

• ONE – The Problem of ClericalismTWO – Priesthood from the New Testament to the ReformationTHREE – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood Part 1: CELIBACY, THE COUNCIL OF TRENT AND PIERRE DE BERULLEFOUR – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood, Part 2. JEAN-JACQUES OLIER AND LOUIS TRONSONFIVE – A New Interpretation of Ministry. John N. Collins on DiakoniaSIX – The Contemporary Priesthood and MinistrySEVEN – Where to from Here?EIGHT- Important ConclusionsNotesBibliographyIndexAbout the Author

Paul Collins is a former parish priest, broadcaster, historian, and writer. He is the author of including Absolute Power: How the Pope Became the Most Influential Man in the World (2018), The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth Century (2013), and Judgment Day: The Struggle for life on Earth (2010) and many other books. His articles and essays have appeared in the London Tablet, National Catholic Reporter, and magazines across Australia, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Collins resides in Canberra, Australia.

Using his considerable knowledge as a historian, Paul Collins has produced a challenging study of priesthood in the Catholic Church and the need for renewal within its ranks. He calls the church to an understanding of leadership grounded in Scripture and authentic tradition. Ministry, he argues, is the work of the whole people of God and not that of a privileged and divinized group of celibate males: the church should, therefore, end enforced celibacy and open its doors to encourage women’s full participation in ministry.

• ONE – The Problem of ClericalismTWO – Priesthood from the New Testament to the ReformationTHREE – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood Part 1: CELIBACY, THE COUNCIL OF TRENT AND PIERRE DE BERULLEFOUR – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood, Part 2. JEAN-JACQUES OLIER AND LOUIS TRONSONFIVE – A New Interpretation of Ministry. John N. Collins on DiakoniaSIX – The Contemporary Priesthood and MinistrySEVEN – Where to from Here?EIGHT- Important ConclusionsNotesBibliographyIndexAbout the Author

Paul Collins is a former parish priest, broadcaster, historian, and writer. He is the author of including Absolute Power: How the Pope Became the Most Influential Man in the World (2018), The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth Century (2013), and Judgment Day: The Struggle for life on Earth (2010) and many other books. His articles and essays have appeared in the London Tablet, National Catholic Reporter, and magazines across Australia, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Collins resides in Canberra, Australia.

Using his considerable knowledge as a historian, Paul Collins has produced a challenging study of priesthood in the Catholic Church and the need for renewal within its ranks. He calls the church to an understanding of leadership grounded in Scripture and authentic tradition. Ministry, he argues, is the work of the whole people of God and not that of a privileged and divinized group of celibate males: the church should, therefore, end enforced celibacy and open its doors to encourage women’s full participation in ministry.

• ONE – The Problem of ClericalismTWO – Priesthood from the New Testament to the ReformationTHREE – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood Part 1: CELIBACY, THE COUNCIL OF TRENT AND PIERRE DE BERULLEFOUR – Origins of the Present Model of the Priesthood, Part 2. JEAN-JACQUES OLIER AND LOUIS TRONSONFIVE – A New Interpretation of Ministry. John N. Collins on DiakoniaSIX – The Contemporary Priesthood and MinistrySEVEN – Where to from Here?EIGHT- Important ConclusionsNotesBibliographyIndexAbout the Author