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Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation
Book by Radcliffe, Timothy
- GenresSpirituality
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Timothy Radcliffe
94 books35 followersCardinal Timothy Radcliffe, a former Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), is a well-known progressive theologian whose views on some of the Church’s moral teachings, particularly homosexuality, have caused considerable controversy.
Born on August 22, 1945, Radcliffe is one of six children who had a privileged upbringing: on his father’s side he descends from an Anglican clergyman whose own father had been raised to a baronetcy in the 19th century, adopting the name Radcliffe. He joined the English Province of the Dominican Order in 1965 and was ordained priest in 1971. He studied at Blackfriars College and St. John’s College in Oxford, as well as in Paris under noted French theologian Yves Congar, a proponent of the contested Nouvelle Théologie liberal movement. In October 2023 and at the Pope’s invitation, Radcliffe offered spiritual reflections to members of the Synod on Synodality, beginning with a pre-synod retreat. At the synod’s second and final Rome meeting in October 2024, Radcliffe was given an expanded role, offering spiritual reflections throughout much of the month-long meeting as well as at a retreat before the assembly began. He spoke, among other topics, on the importance of listening and dialogue, being open to God’s Providence, and cautioning against fear-driven decision-making, whether fear of change or fear of staying the same.
After Pope Francis announced in October 2024 he would elevate Father Radcliffe to the College of Cardinals, Radcliffe requested an exemption from dressing like a cardinal which the Pope granted in “full understanding,” freeing him “from using such elaborate clothing.”
Born on August 22, 1945, Radcliffe is one of six children who had a privileged upbringing: on his father’s side he descends from an Anglican clergyman whose own father had been raised to a baronetcy in the 19th century, adopting the name Radcliffe. He joined the English Province of the Dominican Order in 1965 and was ordained priest in 1971. He studied at Blackfriars College and St. John’s College in Oxford, as well as in Paris under noted French theologian Yves Congar, a proponent of the contested Nouvelle Théologie liberal movement. In October 2023 and at the Pope’s invitation, Radcliffe offered spiritual reflections to members of the Synod on Synodality, beginning with a pre-synod retreat. At the synod’s second and final Rome meeting in October 2024, Radcliffe was given an expanded role, offering spiritual reflections throughout much of the month-long meeting as well as at a retreat before the assembly began. He spoke, among other topics, on the importance of listening and dialogue, being open to God’s Providence, and cautioning against fear-driven decision-making, whether fear of change or fear of staying the same.
After Pope Francis announced in October 2024 he would elevate Father Radcliffe to the College of Cardinals, Radcliffe requested an exemption from dressing like a cardinal which the Pope granted in “full understanding,” freeing him “from using such elaborate clothing.”
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 2, 2019
Timothy Radcliffe writes with clarity, compassion and realism about the Christian vocation in the modern world. While much of what he has to say is directed in the first instance to his own family of Dominican Religious, it definitely has a wider applicability and relevance. As an Anglican Benedictine I certainly found much here to inspire, refresh and challenge me, and I particularly liked the honest, compassionate and realistic way that Radcliffe discusses sexuality and celibacy.
September 16, 2007
easy reading, great spirituality from the former Master of the Order of Preachers
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews