Challenging, daring, provocative, shattering, are some of the adjectives applied to the German and Italian editions of this book. Its Swiss author – now procurator general of the Caphucin missions after wide experience in the Third World – was fully aware of the risks when he embarked on a broad survey of current trends the world over and ventured a few bold predictions as to the shape of things to come. This a book of hope and confidence in the Church. It is also an eye-opener. Not a book ‘for specialists only’ but for anyone willing to face the future an think. A book to spark off discussion.