Diary of a Low-Born Cleric : A Year in the Priesthood

Writer and priest the Reverend Michael Coren shares the joyful, heart-rending, and thought-provoking moments that fill his life.

Michael Coren is a very rare figure: he’s an ordained priest of the Anglican Church of Canada working in a parish but also an internationally known columnist and bestselling author. But just as importantly, he was born into a secular family based in the rural east of England.

In Diary of a Low-Born Cleric, Coren takes us through a year in his life, a diary of the everyday journey of a cleric, who also deals with public controversy and profile as a writer. He chronicles pain, loss, joy, doubt, abuse, poverty, crime, and many other aspects of what a priest sees every day. But he also offers historical examples, arguments for and against various beliefs, and acute observations of life around him. In his spiritual role, these personal and religious ruminations spread like gentle ripples spread outward into the community he serves.

“This godless heathen was enchanted, amused, and wholly engaged by Michael Coren's delightful book. He could almost make me a believer … he certainly makes me believe that humanity, honour, diligence, insight and sweetness of nature are not wholly absent from his Church.” — Stephen Fry