#clericalism

A FORM OF WORSHIP IN WHICH EVERYONE IS INVOLVED

In May 1968, Thomas Merton told an informal gathering of contemplative women religious at the Abbey of Gethsemani:

“I think the whole thing needs to be changed, the whole idea of the priesthood has to be changed. I think we need to develop a whole new style of worship in which there is no need for one hierarchical person to have a big central place, a form of worship in which everyone is involved.”

“The tragedy of theological education lies in the fact that young people who seek priesthood are - consciously or unconsciously - seeking this separation, power, this rising above the laity. Their thirst is strengthened and generated by the whole system of theological education, of clericalism. How can they be made to understand, not only with their minds, but with their whole being, that one must run away from power, any power, that it is always a temptation, always from the devil.” 

Be patient with priests, but not with clericalism

The National Catholic Reporter has published a strange story about what happens to a parish when arrogant, ultra-trad priests move in and start making the church over in their own image. I say it’s a strange story because it’s hard to tell exactly what happened. Some of the details seem damning — book burnings, secrecy around finances — but others sound like they might be innocuous (oh no,…