"...In this fascinating and learned tour de force, Matthew Levering traces the history of ordained ministry back to Jesus and by following the career of the hierarchical structure of the Church throughout history, he has given us what the Second Vatican Council called for: a genuine theology of the hierarchical priesthood. In his reading, hierarchy was instituted by Christ to guarantee the holiness of the Church, to which Vatican II teaches all her members are called, and which therefore is the only kind of equality that counts before God."

—Edward T. Oakes, SJ,
Assistant Professor, Systematic Theology,
University of St. Mary of the Lake

"Only a courageous theologian would defend a hierarchical authority for the church today. Only a charitable and generous theologian could offer a compelling defense. Matthew Levering accomplishes just this. He offers a bold and daring thesis—a hierarchical priesthood is necessary because of God's gifting in the priesthood of Christ.”

—Stephen Long
Professor, Department of Theology
Marquette University

"Matthew Levering has completed a work that few theologians in America would have dared to undertake. With serene objectivity he engages the current Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic literature, as well as the thought of Aquinas and the doctrine of the New Testament.  ...This book is a must for any student of ecclesiology and sacramental theology."

—Roch Kereszty, O.Cist, STD
Professor of Theology
University of Dallas

This supplement will be available soon.