some problems with priests



For too long Church people were outside of any criticism.  The culture of separation, distinction and special calling created a “much closed club” of people that live in their own world of secrecy.
It is good that this culture is changing.  The crimes committed by Church people are on the first pages of newspapers and TV.  In the past when TV and mass media were not that available all the other crimes but Church’s were on the pulpits and the priests were the messengers of bad news. I know, not always and perhaps it was true for some.
The culture of secrecy and pretending of being more than who the priests are created great disappointment when priests are being exposed as not better but sometimes even worse than “an average Joe.”  So, who are the priests?
A good number of them are alcoholics, have problem relating to people, believe that the parish is their business, complainers and gossipers, believe that the Church and parish cannot exist without them, etc.  And yet, they are still able to do something good.  But, is this not true about anybody?

A priest is just a typical man.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ignatian Spirituality

Image
I have been practicing Ignatian Spirituality/Exercises for the last nine years. It has been a powerful experience for me. Each year, practicing that spirituality helps me to go deeper and deeper in my life and relationship with God, the world and myself.  It is just amazing how much they help us to become a more independent person and make better choices for ourselves.  As a person who believes in God I know that God gave me all kinds of gifts.  One of them is my own mind.  I need to use it.  I need to make sure that it is being developed and nourished.  Ignatius wanted us to use that gift.  Also, he wanted us to look and learn from our own feelings and desires.  Sometimes Ignatius of Loyola is called a modern Catholic psychologist. Adlofo Nicolas, the Superior General of the Society gives one of the best explanations of them.   
Read more

The New Peripheries

Image
Another Interview that I found of Bishop Athanasius Schneider.  Bishop Schneider is from Russia but he is of German origin.  He is very much open to discussion and he is very rooted in the Tradition and the Scripture.  I like his way of thinking about: issues of life, ecumenism, liturgy.  I know it is a long interview but very worthy of listening.  Issues of life: saving children are more important than housing and gender equality.  Ecumenism: cannot celebrate a heresy (500 years of Reformation) and unity with Orthodox Christians is very difficult because of the original sin and the question of papacy. With the Orthodox we are of this same faith but papacy.    Bishop Schneider teaches us not to loose faith, hope and charity.  There is a very funny beginning of this interview.  Bishop Schneider - we are on the peripheries of the Church.  It is good to be there with Christ and with you. 
Read more

The Neocatechumenal Way

Image
The Neocatechumenal Way is a Catholic group founded in Spain in 1964 by Kiko Argüello.  It is not a movement but an instrument for evangelization.  It helps people to enter more deeply into the faith experience and share with others this faith experience.   The philosophy of this instrument is based on the early church preparation for non-Jews to become Christians.  It uses some Jewish elements e.g. Eucharist on Saturday evening with the commentaries on readings done by congregation and a presider.   In their spirituality the story of calling of Abraham is in the center.  All the members go on the journey together with him.  We are all called by God like Abraham was.  The question for the people of the Way is: where is my holy land? More on the Way we can learn from their webpage: http://www.camminoneocatecumenale.it/new/default.asp?lang=it
Read more