Archbishop Dolan sees 'genuine renewal' of priests coming

Published: 2005-09-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- "I believe we're on the brink of a genuine renewal of life of the priests of the United States," Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee said at a symposium on priests' spirituality Sept. 12. He said American priests have undergone "intense upheaval" in the past four years, but in the church's long history "seasons of defeat and decline unfailingly lead to renewal." Archbishop Dolan, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, was keynote speaker at the half-day symposium. Held at the Life Cycle Center of The Catholic University of America in Washington, the symposium focused on the recently published book, "Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church." The book was developed out of a series of consultations sponsored by the National Federation of Priests' Councils. It is intended to offer practical guidance in priestly spiritual development similar to that given over the past three decades by "The Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood," long a staple in many priests' libraries.

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