About the Book Priests and priestly functions existed from the very beginning of the human development. In every age according to the social situations, personal attitudes and need of the time the modalities were changed. With Jesus and with the Christian community of believers the concept of priesthood and priestly life acquired a new turn. As the New Testament it derives that priesthood in the community is the result of relationship between God and the person concerned, it is the result of service with humility, it is shepherding the community even risking himself and his interests and finally it is self-denial even to sacrificing himself. It is a process of denying oneself to keep the relationship between God and man. For this, the unique model is Christ. In the present work, the realization of this process of becoming is well designed basing on the biblical references and the teachings of post Vatican II Popes. This book also gives an overall understanding of the concept of catholic priesthood and its development up to the present time. The book shall be a help for priests, those who are in the process of becoming priests, the people of God in general who wish to have a clear notion of catholic priesthood in relation to Christ the Archpriest and people in general who would like to have an idea of Catholic priesthood.
About the Author Joseph Oliapurath is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. He has obtained Licentiate in Biblical Theology from Studium Biblicum Franciscan, Jerusalem and has a doctorate in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical Institute Teresianum, Rome. At present, he is a resident teacher in the Pontifical Institute Mangalapuzha, Aluva teaching on Spirituality and Priesthood. He also is author of many books and articles.
Introduction The Second Vatican Council facilitated the diffusion of the Church to the world and to the people. It is also true that principally the intention of the Council was not to promulgate or introduce new dogmas or articles of faith but to open the doors and windows to translate the already existing dogmas and articles of faith more practical and pastoral. The synod of bishops thought of a Church that thinks moves and feels with the people, to lead and guide them in to the fullness of light who is Jesus, the Light of the World. With this aim, the Council declared that all are people of God and all are called to holiness. The openness that the Council introduced made in the beginning some misperception among many of the priests and religious of consecrated life of their specificity and identity."
All the baptized in the name of Jesus are partakers in the priesthood of Christ whom the Father has sent into this world. Their sharing in the priesthood of Christ made them capable to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ who is priest, teacher and king by participating in the mission of the whole body of Christ.
Lord Jesus constituted ministers from among the people of God to keep them united in one body and continue what he has already initiated through preaching, teaching and sanctifying. The first types of ministers were his Twelve selected from among the followers or disciples. The Twelve as the true extension of the Master and Lord continued in the Christian communities even after the physical presence of the Lord. After the Twelve the immediate followers of them continued to take care of the communities. However, there emerged various ministries according to the need of the communities with the help of the Spirit and passing through the ages the bishops in the Church became the successors of the apostles with priests as their co-workers.
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