Called to be a Sign of Communion: The ordained priest in 21st century Australia
Hal Ranger
John Garratt Publishing, ISBN:9781920682194

In this Year of the Priest it is fitting that a former chairman of the NCP, Hal Ranger, would reflect on “Who and what is an ordained priest to be and to do at this time in history?” in Called to be a Sign of Communion: The ordained priest in 21st century Australia.

This short monograph is part of Voices, a series of quarterly essays on religion in Australia published by John Garratt. Previous titles in this series have included: A New Era of Pastoral Leadership: Consolidation and Challenge by Martin Dixon and New Evangelisation in the 21st Century: Removing the Roadblocks by Eric Hodgens both also well worth reading.

Hal writes from his over 50 years of experience of priesthood, in a variety of contexts. He attempts to clarify the “job description” of the priest in 21st century Australia, recognising that “The priest is to be all things to all people” is neither practical nor useful as a description of the role of the ordained priest. He systematically reflects on the ordained priest, acknowledging importantly his humanity; primarily being called to holiness; a proclaimer of God’s Word; a servant leader and community member; a minister of the sacraments and a spiritual guide. Hal does not shy away from the difficult questions: he tells his own story from the heart and boldly examines the hopes, dreams, challenges, questions and frustrations for the contemporary and the future Church. He names the shortage of priests and how unrealistic it is to minister to large communities.

He challenges the Church to think about ordaining married men, utilising the gifts of women, allowing priests with different gifts to use them in different ways and to take advantage of new technology. Throughout his reflections he does not despair and is hope filled. Whilst a short and pithy reflection on priesthood it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing reflections on the ordained ministerial priesthood in this Year of the Priest.

Ian McGinnity