With a deep sense of the pastoral inspiration of present day theology, Mgr. Mullin has devoted long and patient research to his pioneer work on and for The Catholic Church in Modern Africa. The result is gratifying as a synthesis of past effort, and a powerful stimulus to future study. Africa has entered the dynamic modern world with its ever expanding scientific horizon and its ever changing cultural patterns. While some may regret the tranquil days of a definitely lost past, Pastoral Theology looks ahead. Without any claim to prophetic foresight, it humbly tries to follow and enliven, with the grace of Christ, the watercourses flowing into the mainstream of the future. Knowing quite well that it cannot draw a final picture of modern Africa with hard and fast rules for the priestly ministry, Pastoral Theology studies the concrete. African situation, the living inheritance of the past and the new political, economic and cultural trends. The pastor must see the complex change and learn to understand its creative elements.