Papesh's arguments are anchored in a vision of the gospel and ministry that aspires to a high ideal and standard. His book is well worth reading for anyone who finds the status quo revealed by the abuse scandal bewildering and angering, and who desires something better for the Church.Rita Ferrone, Verdicts Michael Papesh has offered us many insights into the dominant clerical culture of our time and has suggested ways for transforming it into a priesthood of service and community leadership.Seminary Journal An important and interesting book.Frances G. Hofmeister, Voice of the Faithful, Cincinnati, Ohio The book offers the community a very readable, comprehensive, honest and balanced look at the clerical culture. It is not a rant; it is a challenge to face what is unhealthy, unholy, and ineffective in our church in order to find new possibilities and renewed life.Celebrate! Michael Papesh's book should be read by every priest in the Church to better understand the clerical culture they live in as well as themselves. It shows that transformation is possible. All Catholics will get a better appreciation of the priesthood today and why it is what it is. It is a thoughtful book which doesn't just point out problems but shows that there are alternatives to many of the time-concretized notions of priesthood.Catholic Library World This book is a convincing, informed and courageous facing of facts. . . . The author and, one hopes for the good of the whole church, readers clerical and lay will agree that cultural transformation is possible and that we, all of us, need to begin the process.Prairie Messenger Michael Papesh's analysis of clerical culture and its demons is both insightful and balanced. This important and timely book lays bare the ecclesial context which spawned the priesthood's present dark night. Moreover, Clerical Culture: Contradiction and Transformation sheds considerable light on the shadowy dynamics and structures of the clerical world.Donald Cozzens, author of Faith That Dares to Speak and The Changing Face of the Priesthood . . . a significant piece of reflexive research for those interested in the clerical state and the contemporary church.Catholic Studies