Priestless Parishes : The Baptized Leading the Baptized

by Stillwell, Virginia

• ISBN13: 9780883474815
• ISBN10: 0883474816
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-01
• Publisher: Ave Maria Pr

Summary

Why are Catholic dioceses appointing laypeople to lead parishes? What is the real nature of the priest shortage? All across the United States, laypeople are being appointed by their bishops to lead Catholic parishes that are without resident priest-pastors. The stories are both inspiring and heart-wrenching because the road for these lay leaders is not an easy one. These pioneers are serving as role models for all Catholics to learn how to claim their baptism in everyday life.

Author Biography

Virginia Stillwell lives in Plymouth, Minnesota. She is a writer of reflections on the Sunday Lectionary for World Library Publications, as well as an instructor on ritual and ecclesiology in lay and diaconal certificate programs. She holds a master of divinity and a master of arts in theology (liturgy) and has just completed a ground-breaking study on lay leaders of "priestless" parishes

Table of Contents

Introduction
Where's Father?	7	(4)
The Baptized Leading the Baptized
What Priest Shortage?	11	(16)
Abundant Grace
Are Laypeople Qualified to Lead Parishes?	27	(16)
Baptismal Vocation
Who Authorizes Them?	43	(18)
Apostolic Authority
What Can They Do?	61	(16)
Priestly Service
How Does It Work?	77	(16)
Leadership Among Equals
What About Father?	93	(18)
Collaborative Ministry
What Is the Role of the Diocese?	111	(18)
Catholic Communion
What's Next?	129	(13)
Trusting the Spirit
Bibliography	142