Presbyterial Identity after Vatican II

This article addresses the issue of Presbyterial identity on the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council until today. Two articles on this theme are the starting point. One of them was written by Mario Gagliardi and published by the journal of the Congregation for the Clergy, and the other was written by Maria Jose Hernandez Martinez, CMF, and published by the journal Proyeccion. Although addressing the same issue, they have different points of view in understanding the foundation of the proprium of ordained ministry: the representation of Christ or of the ecclesial community. Next, the article discusses the position of Vatican II, especially in Lumen Gentium 28 and in the Presbyterorum Ordinis Decree; the crisis that followed about the Presbyterial identity and the emergence of a new position, indicated by the Trinitarian foundation, and it also points out some of the latest theological positions. Finally, some perspectives are pointed for the Presbyterial ministry nowadays, in particular as to the Presbyterial identity, spirituality and the training for affectivity and celibacy.