Author(s): Chris McGillion

Western

This new book shows that while many people assume they know what Catholic priests in Australia think, the reality is that the private views of priests are rarely known outside their own ranks and the small circle of their closest friends. This book, based on a survey sent to every priest working in parish ministry in Australia as well as on interviews with more than 50 priests across the country, reveals the true thoughts of priests about their vocation, their working lives, and issues confronting the church today. The results will inform, shock and challenge all Catholics. The surprising results have been published in a new book entitled 'Our Fathers: What Australian Catholic Priests Really Think About Their Lives and Their Church' by Chris McGillion and John O'Carroll. The purpose of the book is to present the views of priests working in parish ministry on a range of issues of vital interest to the Catholic church and community in Australia. Priests were asked about the nature of the priesthood itself, how the role has changed and how the changes have impacted on their status, workload and morale. They were also asked to comment on what they have come to believe about matters of life and death, heaven and hell, sin and salvation and how these beliefs correspond with the official teaching of the church. The survey was sent to 1700 priests, of which 542 responded. This was followed up by an interview process with more than 50 priests who were randomly selected and who agreed to be interviewed. The results show that many priests are sometimes at odds with official teaching of the church, even on matters such as the use of artificial birth control. More than 67 percent of respondents indicated that it was not a sin for married couples to use artificial birth control against 19.9 percent who indicated that they thought that it was always a sin, leaving 11 per cent undecided on the matter and only 2 per cent of the sample opting not to respond. The book was written by Chris McGillion who is a former religious affairs editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and has written on religious issues for newspapers and magazines including The Age, Brisbane Times, Eureka Street, the Tablet (UK), and the National Catholic Reporter (US); and by John O'Carroll who has written extensively on religious and philosophical issues. Both teach at Charles Sturt University.