This your promise: the theologian as priest

This chapter explores the notion of the vow or promise as a hermeneutic for the ministerial life of the Church. One thing that marks out those whom a community admits to 'holy orders' is the examination that requires the making of certain promises, and inlcludes a declaration of belief and intent. The argument offered here is that the category of promise is a vital clue for the dynamics of human transformation. It is a preliminary inquiry into the nature of promise and its relevnace for ministerial life ina time of change and uncertainty in the Church.