Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

While much attention has rightly been given to abuse survivors and institutional accountability, less has been said about how the sexual abuse crisis has shaped the experience of clergy themselves. Drawing on findings from the National Study of Catholic Priests (NSCP)—the most comprehensive survey of American priests in over 50 years— Rebuilding Trust explores how the abuse crisis and the Church’s institutional response have affected priestly well-being and morale, perceptions of episcopal leadership, and the culture of the presbyterate more broadly. The study reveals a striking breakdown in trust between priests and their bishops, exacerbated by concerns over due process in the wake of an abuse allegation, inconsistent application of abuse prevention policies, and a widening ideological divide between younger and older clergy. The book combines sociological analysis with theological, psychological, historical, canonical, and pastoral perspectives to contextualize these findings. Contributors from various fields examine shifts in the priesthood over the past few decades, assess the implementation of the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the "Dallas Charter") and explore practical strategies for strengthening clergy formation, fostering fraternity, and improving bishop-priest relationships. By integrating empirical research with theological reflection, this volume offers a timely and necessary addition to the discussion of how the Church can rebuild trust, support priests, and cultivate a healthier presbyterate. It will be essential reading for Church leaders, seminary formators, scholars of Catholicism, and anyone concerned with the future of the priesthood in the United States.

The polarization in the Church today can be traced back to a more fundamental crisis in theology, one which has failed to connect our mundane experiences and the mysteries of the Christian faith with the person of Jesus Christ. Ecclesial discourse on the so-called ‘hot- button issues’ of the day too often take place without considering the foundation and goal of the Church. And this is unfortunately due to a similar tendency in the academic theology that informs that ecclesial discourse. In short, much of post-conciliar Catholic theology is adrift, floating aimlessly away from the center of the Christian faith, who is Christ.The Center is Jesus Christ Himself is a collection of essays which anchor theological reflection in Jesus Christ. These diverse essays share a unified focal point, but engage with a variety of theological subdisciplines (e.g., dogmatic, moral, Biblical, etc.), areas (e.g., Christology, Pneumatology, missiology, etc.), and periods (e.g., patristic, medieval, and modern). Given the different combinations of sub-disciplines, areas, and periods, theology is susceptible to fragmentation when it is not held together by some principle of unity. A theology in which the person of Jesus Christ serves as that principle of unity is a Christocentric theology. Together, the essays illustrate not only what Christocentric theology looks like, but also what the consequences are when Christ is dislodged from the center, whether by a conspicuous silence on, or by a relativization of, his unique salvific mission.The volume is published in honor of Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College, Rev. Dr. Robert P. Imbelli, who dedicated his teaching and writing to bringing Christ back to the center of Catholic theological discourse.