Books on Priesthood and Sexuality to be Published
Diocesan Press Service. October 6, 1975 [75338]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- In response to a resolution adopted by the House of Bishops in 1973, the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, has supervised the preparation of two new books on priesthood and sexuality which will be published in late fall, 1975, and in the spring of 1976.
The first book, TO BE A PRIEST: Perspectives on Vocation and Ordination, is edited by the Rev. Robert E. Terwilliger, director of the Trinity Institute, New York City, and the Very Rev. Urban T. Holmes III, dean of the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. In the book, the various authors discuss the biblical historical background of priesthood, priesthood as profession, and the source of priestly authority, among other topics.
The 24 articles in the book draw on the perspectives of scholars in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions as well as those from the Anglican.
Bishop Allin had proposed a process "to develop throughout the Church a clearer and more definitive understanding of the doctrine of Christian priesthood and a valid Christian concept of human sexuality. " The result, he wrote in the foreword of the book on priesthood, was the plan to develop two mosaics on priesthood and sexuality.
This first book, Bishop Allin wrote, " is offered with the prayer that within it and from it some revealing light will be focused on priesthood. " He described the book of brief essays as " a sharing of understandings, a contribution to a process of community building, an attempt to clarify the meaning of priesthood and hopefully reflecting a clearer vision of Jesus, the Great High Priest. "
The publication process was coordinated by the Episcopal Church Center communication staff. TO BE A PRIEST will be published in November and it will be available in paperback at $4.95 from the Seabury Bookstore, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10017, and other related bookstores.
Next spring the second mosaic, a study treating questions related to sexuality and priesthood entitled MALE AND FEMALE will appear. Dean Holmes and Boston psychiatrist Dr. Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse will edit this volume.
The publication process was coordinated by the Episcopal Church Center communication staff. TO BE A PRIEST will be published in November and it will be available in
paperback at $4.95 from the Seabury Bookstore, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10017, and other related bookstores.
Next spring the second mosaic, a study treating questions related to sexuality and priesthood entitled MALE AND FEMALE will appear. Dean Holmes and Boston psychiatrist Dr. Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse will edit this volume.