Clericalism?

[BarbTherese]

https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/clericalism-visible-and-invisible/13497?utm_source=NewsLetter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=1215mailjet

I don't know how reliable la Croix might be.  I did note the 'impressive credentials' (I don't know the correct terminology ) of the author.  I did think, however, the above article was a bit of a stretch in part.....picking on certain things re Church décor/layout and twisting things to meet his (author's) points.  I could twist the same matters to meet my concepts.  That is not at all to challenge that clericalism in The Church is not alive and well (might ask discussion on what clericalism is - see below).  The role of priest and people (especially during Mass) is completely and totally different; that what is taking place on the altar in the sanctuary is stunningly special and sacred, completely out of this world literally, and/or rather Heaven on earth.  We are all, priest and people, intimately involved and united in the celebration of The Mass, each in our own role and all are important and vital to The Mass celebration.

I did think the following was a comprehensive article on clericalism and not too long either: https://aleteia.org/2018/08/23/what-is-clericalism/

 

[Guest]

Just as a bit of an aside to the primary subject perhaps - but still on track I think.  I had a priest call on me unexpectedly and he apologized for not making an appointment.  I told him that was ok and that I was honored to have a Catholic priest under my roof and that he was most welcome any time.

From what eventuated not long after, I think Father might have thought I had fallen into the trap of clericalism.  It was not that at all, while it was and always will be an honor to have a Catholic priest in my home.  I was not honoring him per se, rather his Holy Orders, his Catholic priesthood.  I have wondered if both priest and people sometimes might be just a little bit paranoid about clericalism and not at all hitting the mean between clericalism and anti clericalism.

I was raised and educated in primary school that a Catholic priest was Jesus on earth.  That scared the wits out of me back then - and I still have the same though totally muted response re our priesthood even today.  Conditioning can be difficult to shake.

I am personally very much a totally committed V2 and post V2 Catholic woman, but I do not think at all that everything pre V2 should be chucked out with the bathwater (for obvious reasons ).   In fact, very far from that.  I don't think Vatican II intended that in the overall results.  Perhaps it was the interpretations, both positive and negative, of V2 that tended to run off the rails to some degree or other.

Perhaps there is a need to find the mean between the positive and the negative interpretations of the V2 Pastoral Council.

Edit:  Vatican II was an Ecumenical Council for pastoral reasons, I think might be more correct?

Edited December 15, 2020 by BarbaraTherese