What does it mean to be a priest today? What sort of priests do we want? The debates on the ordination of women to the priesthood and on the future shape of training for the ministry have shown that the Church must now urgently examine these fundamental questions. A group from the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, takes up the challenge in this lively and provocative book: ‘We have lost a firm grasp on the essential character of the Church, priesthood, and priestly formation. When this is not right in the middle of the Church’s life, at its founations, the whole structure becomes increasingly shaky, however good particular parts of it remain. Many people, whatever their views on, say, the ordination of wome, or on ecumenism, or liturgy, share the same unnerving sensation that the foundations might be turning bit by bit from stone to sand.’ The Fire and the Clay addresses this crucial issue in a positive, radical way. The picture of priesthood that emerges is both surprising and compelling, and is certain to stimulate further reflection and fresh debate.