What does it mean to be a priest today? Recent biblical and historical studies challenge the concept of priesthood that has long been taken for granted in the Roman Catholic Church. The expectations that laity have of their priest and the way priest understand themselves, their ministry and their own personal lives have dramatically changed in recent years. Priesthood Today: An Appraisal is a theological and pastoral examination of the Catholic priesthood in the closing years of the twentieth century. Thomas Rausch, SJ examines many crucial questions : How should priesthood be understood today in light of the shift that has taken place in theology? What does it mean to minister as a priest in today’s church? What is the place of affective relationships in the life of a celibate priest? Is the priesthood of those belonging to apostolic religious communities different from that of diocesan priests? How does the office and ministry of bishops relate to priests and to the ecumenical context of the larger Christian Community? Priesthood Today: An Appraisal makes an important contribution toward understanding the contemporary nature of priesthood. It will be must reading for those who wish to explore the more personal issues of being a priest in today’s church.