About the Book and Author

About the Book:

The title says it all! It’s Not Necessarily So: A Senior Priest Separates Faith from Fiction and Makes Sense of Belief. A wise parish priest and educator not only tackles the problems in the institution of the Catholic Church and the dogma of the Catholic faith, but also offers solutions and spiritual insights. Fr. Richard Rento, S.T.L. confronts the issue of clergy sexual abuse head on and focuses on many other areas of church dysfunction. Anyone who has ever questioned illogical rules, meaningless ritual or implausible doctrine will find answers in this book. Written in a warm and friendly style, the book addresses life impacting and community-building issues ranging from answered prayers to Gay marriage, from abortion to the meaning of God. From the get-go, Fr. Rento announces that he is not a theologian; so don’t expect any theological treatises or dissertations. Rather be treated to his personal experience and unpretentious language. Persons who have doubts, fears or misgivings about their faith and/or their relationship with the church will find comfort in these pages. “Nones” and parents of “nones” will appreciate Fr. Rento’s perceptions as will everyone who is searching for meaning in life and a belief system based upon a relationship with the Divine that respects and resonates with the whole person and allows for spiritual growth and maturity.

About the Author:

Father Richard G. Rento is a native of Clifton, N.J., having graduated from St. Paul’s Elementary School in that city.  A graduate of Clifton High School, he went on to Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary, and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he obtained his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.  
He has been a priest of the Diocese of Paterson for over 60 years.  During that time he has ministered as pastor, administrator, educator, hospital chaplain, radio broadcaster, lecturer, and retreat-giver.  For 20 years he was diocesan director of religious education and director of continuing education for priests; for the next 20 years he served as pastoral team coordinator at St. Brendan Church in Clifton, NJ.  In 1998 he retired and is now living in Lavallette, NJ.  He remains more active than he had anticipated: serving as Catholic chaplain at the Seabrook Village retirement community in Tinton Falls, NJ; presiding at the weekly WPAT Radio Mass in Paterson, NJ; lecturing; and giving retreats and days of recollection.