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The Other Side of the Altar: One Man's Life in the Catholic Priesthood
In all the coverage of the priestly sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, one story has been left the story of the everyday lives of Catholic priests in America, which remain so little understood as to be a secret, even as one priestly sexual predation after another has come to light.
In The Other Side of the Altar , Paul Dinter tells one priest's story--his own--in such a way as to reveal the lives of a generation of priests that spanned two very different eras. These priests entered the ministry in the 1960s, when Catholic seminaries were full of young men inspired by both the Church's ancient faith and the Second Vatican Council's promises of renewal. But by the early 1970s, the priesthood--and the celibate fraternity it depended upon--proved quite different from what the Council had promised. American society had changed, too, particularly in the area of sexuality. As a result, there emerged a clerical subculture of denial and duplicity, which all but guaranteed that the sexual abuse of children by priests would be routinely covered up by the Church's bishops.
Dinter, now married and raising two stepdaughters, left the priesthood in 1994 over the issue of celibacy, but not before having occasion to reflect on the whole range of priestly struggles with celibacy and sexual life in general--in Rome and rural England, on an Ivy League campus, and in parish rectories of the archdiocese of New York. His candid and affecting account--written from the other side of the altar, so to speak--makes clear that celibacy, sexuality, and power among the clergy have long been intertwined, and suggests how much must change if the Catholic Church hopes to regain the trust of its people.
In The Other Side of the Altar , Paul Dinter tells one priest's story--his own--in such a way as to reveal the lives of a generation of priests that spanned two very different eras. These priests entered the ministry in the 1960s, when Catholic seminaries were full of young men inspired by both the Church's ancient faith and the Second Vatican Council's promises of renewal. But by the early 1970s, the priesthood--and the celibate fraternity it depended upon--proved quite different from what the Council had promised. American society had changed, too, particularly in the area of sexuality. As a result, there emerged a clerical subculture of denial and duplicity, which all but guaranteed that the sexual abuse of children by priests would be routinely covered up by the Church's bishops.
Dinter, now married and raising two stepdaughters, left the priesthood in 1994 over the issue of celibacy, but not before having occasion to reflect on the whole range of priestly struggles with celibacy and sexual life in general--in Rome and rural England, on an Ivy League campus, and in parish rectories of the archdiocese of New York. His candid and affecting account--written from the other side of the altar, so to speak--makes clear that celibacy, sexuality, and power among the clergy have long been intertwined, and suggests how much must change if the Catholic Church hopes to regain the trust of its people.
- GenresNonfictionReligion
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2012
The book held my interest in the beginning but then got too bogged down with intelligentsia. I was hoping to know more about his personal feelings. To be honest, I didn't finish the book but it was easy to see why so many priests are lonely.
September 1, 2019
4.5 stars
This memoir reaches beyond one man's story and also serves as an introduction to Catholic theology, history, and doctrine—a readable introduction, don't worry. It is clear that Dinter was well-placed as a chaplain at Columbia University and that he was a probably a moving preacher in his heyday. Despite the author's intention that this is not a treatise, it can veer rather close at times. Nevertheless, the narrative is always grounded in the author's own journey. At times the story is generous in its honesty and humility, which I always appreciate. However, like other books of its kind, I wish that there had been more than a few pages about Dinter's marriage and married life because I believe that transition is an essential part of the story too. However, I also imagine few wives would appreciate such candor. Too bad (for me and my research).
This memoir reaches beyond one man's story and also serves as an introduction to Catholic theology, history, and doctrine—a readable introduction, don't worry. It is clear that Dinter was well-placed as a chaplain at Columbia University and that he was a probably a moving preacher in his heyday. Despite the author's intention that this is not a treatise, it can veer rather close at times. Nevertheless, the narrative is always grounded in the author's own journey. At times the story is generous in its honesty and humility, which I always appreciate. However, like other books of its kind, I wish that there had been more than a few pages about Dinter's marriage and married life because I believe that transition is an essential part of the story too. However, I also imagine few wives would appreciate such candor. Too bad (for me and my research).
October 8, 2018
Very worthwhile read
I recommend this book to Catholics, you have the knowledge to understand it. I am a lifelong Catholic. I struggle, I question and I grow. I appreciate so much what the author has shared. Post as Karen Lemmon
I recommend this book to Catholics, you have the knowledge to understand it. I am a lifelong Catholic. I struggle, I question and I grow. I appreciate so much what the author has shared. Post as Karen Lemmon
August 4, 2011
So i'll be honest,I wasn't real crazy about this book. As someone who was looking for more information about the Catholic priesthood. What I mean is more of the daily life type of thing.
One thing about it he gave a lot of information about the affairs of the other priest in his book.Which I guess is what this book was suppose to be about.
Again I wasn't a fan,but if you want to know I would recommend.If you are looking for a book to just read try a diffrent book.
One thing about it he gave a lot of information about the affairs of the other priest in his book.Which I guess is what this book was suppose to be about.
Again I wasn't a fan,but if you want to know I would recommend.If you are looking for a book to just read try a diffrent book.
March 19, 2012
I'd actually give this between 3 and 4 stars. The book is not as simple as the title would portray. This is the story of one man's conflict about celibacy eventually led to his requesting to be released from the priesthood after 20 years. It also tells of the shenanigans behind the scenes of the diocesan administration. Well-told.
October 13, 2009
Dr. Dinter struggled with celibacy during a long career as a priest. I was hoping to read more about the daily life of an average priest.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews