Treasure in Earthen Vessels
The Portrayal of Priests in Fact and Fiction
- Arts & Literature
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
Throughout history and literature, priests have been depicted as heroic figures battling evil and confronting moral dilemmas. These portrayals highlight their unwavering faith and commitment, even in the midst of personal sacrifices. In movies and novels priests are often portrayed as flawed characters struggling to fulfill their religious duties. These depictions aim to showcase priests as human beings with imperfections, navigating their own challenges while remaining faithful to their calling. The media has recently highlighted scandals involving Catholic priests, including cases of sexual and financial misconduct. These stories reveal the dark side of the institution, with attempts to cover up wrongdoing to protect the Church's reputation. The danger is that misleading negative stereotypes of priests can come to dominate public consciousness. We need to find ways to acknowledge the dreadful seriousness of these acts while also recognizing the many priests who genuinely strive to fulfill their vocation and serve the people of God. This volume attempts to depict priests in both factual and fictional scenarios to convey the complexity of their roles as shepherds of the flock.
Endorsements (4)
“In the popular mind, fact and fiction about the Catholic priesthood do not simply exist side by side but feed on each other. We owe Ambrose Mong a debt of gratitude as he disentangles real-life stories and the imaginative world of novels. What emerges from Mong’s profound analysis is the figure of the priest as a flesh-and-blood human person who, though a sinner, can become holy through suffering and God’s love and mercy. The book is a must-read after the clergy sex abuse scandal.”
“Ambrose Mong’s tales of priests in these pages never glorify the priesthood in a way that takes away their humanity. Whether in real life or in classic fiction, these are men who are larger than life, but always human, always struggling, always growing in their baptismal identity as sacraments of God’s love in our world. In a church wracked with scandals of clerical abuse and continuing clericalism, this is a book of inspiration and hope.”
“Priests come in all shapes and sizes. Whether factual or fictional, the priestly lives examined by Ambrose Mong provide a rich tapestry, shedding light on the complexities experienced to some degree by many priests, and the people they serve, as they face the challenges of authentic Christian living.”
“Saints are not perfect people. They are people who know their need of God. In Ambrose Mong’s fine book, modern novelists portray the interior lives of priests who have fought to keep alive the light of Christ in an often-dark world. Mong explores the remarkable commitment of priests and bishops in China, Japan, and San Salvador, using also the insights of fiction from Willa Cather, George Bernanos, and Graham Greene to illuminate the faith and courage of men, not perfect but extraordinary in their faith and love for suffering humanity.”
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