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Some Thoughts on Clericalism

An examination of behaviors and traits may help priests become ‘less clerical’

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Not infrequently, Pope Francis has challenged us to avoid clericalism. The recent Vatican report about Theodore McCarrick raised clericalism as a concern for the Church, not just the behavior of one person. But what is clericalism?

“Clericalism arises from an elitist and exclusivist vision of vocation, that interprets the ministry received as a power to be exercised rather than as a free and generous service to be given. This leads us to believe that we belong to a group that has all the answers and no longer needs to listen or learn anything” (Pope Francis, Address at the Opening of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment, Oct. 3, 2018).

Various conversations reveal that among priests and people clericalism is perceived in a variety of ways. No one will likely agree with all of these descriptions, which could result in blindness to one’s own clericalism. It’s always easier to point fingers at others than examine oneself. So one priest may not see himself as being “clerical” while others think it is perfectly obvious that he is. (In fact, it is painful to write this because of how often it strikes close to home.)

It may help not to use “clerical” as a label that defines a priest and instead see it as descriptive of behaviors, traits and ways of thinking on a continuum, sometimes even to an extreme that could be considered pathological. Each priest may be able to make some personal adjustments that make him less clerical. Reading further also might be enhanced by a prayer to be open to what the Spirit reveals.

Special

Broadly speaking, clericalism is an exaggerated sense of a priest’s uniqueness, that he is qualitatively different from other humans; this may have some roots in the ontological change that occurs with the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Being special may show up as a sense of importance, aggrandizement and an expectation that he be treated exceptionally, for he is not merely one of the masses, but has been “called by God,” forgetting that every other Christian has likewise been called. A priest may show a need for admiration or behave to draw attention to himself. Because he is so unique, he believes that others (or only clerics) are capable of understanding him. When others look at such a priest, they may say he is attached to his role but does not show his humanity, or seems unaware of how he is “like us.”

Above

Being special can express itself in an attitude or belief that the priest is better or superior to others. He can think of himself as an exception, and be perceived by others as arrogant or filled with pride (or lacking humility). He may tend toward making harsh judgments and lacking mercy. On the other hand, he expects honor and respect regardless of his behavior.

Favored

Often clericalism is described as a sense of privilege, variously manifested as deserving of preferential treatment, a sense of entitlement, expecting rewards as naturally due. There can be a stance of expectation for special treatment rather than acceptance of that treatment as a gift. A priest may also think of himself as exempt and believe that the rules don’t apply to him.

Apart

Being special may also be considered as being set apart, and be perceived as distant, withdrawn or isolated. There may be complaints that the priest does not connect with people. Emotionally, he may lack empathy and in difficult circumstances seem shallow or glib. The priest may do things that emphasize his separateness — for example, wearing a cassock on a golf course. He may also lack transparency with the effect that he is not known or seems hidden. The result can be poor relationships, even with other priests.

Power

Clericalism is very often an exercise of power, and his priesthood may be the means to dominate and exploit others for his own desires and needs. The priest may claim more authority than he has. He may tend to rule and dictate rather than teach and persuade. He is willing to hurt others to achieve his goals and, therefore, his actions leave confusion, pain and turmoil in their wake. Such a priest may believe that deceit is acceptable in the pursuit of his objectives and may use pressure, fear, threats and abuse to get his own way. When he doesn’t get what he wants or what he believes is rightfully his, he may seek revenge, retaliate and punish those who thwart him.

Lack of Accountability

The exercise of clerical and personal power seems to go hand in hand with a belief that he is accountable to no one. He may believe that he is beyond reproach because he is a priest and should not be held responsible or bear any consequences for his dysfunctional or harmful behavior. While he thinks of himself as superior and set apart, there is often strong resistance to living in accordance with standards of professional behavior, and he does not need tools like performance reviews or homiletic critiques. There is no need for any kind of continuing formation after seminary, for he has everything necessary because he was ordained. Yet surprisingly, he can also be known for doing the bare minimum because he shouldn’t be bothered with the mundane exigencies of life and priestly ministry.

Self-Focus

Clericalism at its core is self-centered. Issues are framed as “How will it affect me?” or “What’s in it for me?” Not surprisingly then, clericalism is often marked by personal ambition and striving to climb the ladder. They may strive to draw attention to themselves, and be inclined to go it alone rather than consult or collaborate (unless it suits their purposes). People may feel used and manipulated because the priest is more concerned about himself than the people he was ordained to serve.

In turn, the priest may become spoiled by his independence; emotional detachment; freedom to set his own schedule; a lack of personal responsibility for others; no need to answer to others; an expectation of edible treats, privileges, stipends and gifts; and an ability to live a very comfortable lifestyle because he has no one else to support financially.

Institutional Mind-set

Clericalism is perceived in priests who seem more focused on the Church than Christ, who would rather be known as faithful churchmen than faithful disciples. They favor the preservation and advancement of the institution rather than the people who comprise it. They more easily resort to answers by citing law than discernment with the Holy Spirit. They are seen as “churchy” — men whose focus is rules, formalities, titles and ecclesiastical trivia, rather than ministry, “real life” or what’s important and needed by the people they are given to care for.

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In Pope Benedict XVI’s Words

In “Last Testament: In His Own Words” (Bloomsbury, $14), Pope Benedict XVI, in an interview with Peter Seewald, explains: “The following motto is written on the invitation to your first Mass: ‘We don’t rule over your faith, we serve your joy.’ How did that come about? As part of a contemporary understanding of the priesthood, not only were we conscious that clericalism is wrong and the priest is always a servant, but we also made great inward efforts not to put ourselves up on a high pedestal.”

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None of these characteristics are particularly attractive, and are much worse in the extreme. A priest being called clerical is not being given a compliment, although we see that such a comment may point to a wide variety of attitudes and behaviors.

Pope Francis points to another form of clericalism, and then I propose an additional type.

Among the Christian Faithful

The clericalism that exists among priests is sometimes fostered by the laity. Rather than accept and live out their baptismal responsibilities, they may believe they have no such responsibilities or that it’s easier and better to “leave it to the priests” (isn’t that what they’re paid for?). Their attitudes toward priests may include acquiescence, childish obedience, improper reverence or become unduly deferential. The laity may fail to hold priests accountable and instead see them as beyond reproach, or let them off the hook rather than hold them responsible for their behavior.

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Etymology of Clericalism

The Online Etymology Dictionary defines clericalism as “sacerdotalism, power or influence of the clergy” and the word dates to 1849. Clerical, an adjective, “‘pertains to the clergy’” and “comes from cleric + -al or from French clerigal, meaning ‘learned,’ which derived from the Latin clericalis, clericus, meaning ‘pertaining to clerks and copyists,’ about 1798.”

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Clericalism of the Presbyterate

While clericalism is often described in personal terms, I suggest there is also a collective form that may be exhibited by a presbyterate (or a religious community). Clerical presbyterates are comprised of lone rangers who are “doing their own thing.” Each priest is pursuing his own goals and ambitions, but they lack any cohesive vision, common goals, collaboration or a sense that we’re in this together. They are marked by excessive individualism and do not recognize that their brother priests are a source of grace, encouragement and strength for the service to which God called them.” Clerical presbyterates are sadly lacking in trust, mutuality and humility with one another; the priests show little concern for one another’s well-being or the ability to relish another’s success. As a presbyterate, they are poor witnesses of communion as the Body of Christ to the rest of their sisters and brothers.

Being a cleric and being called clerical are two different things. The latter is cause for some sadness, self-examination, confession of our sinful clericalism and making some changes, to be more clearly alter Christus.

FATHER KENNETH W. SCHMIDT is the advocate for Priestly Ministry and Support for the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

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Priestly Encouragement

Pope Francis, in a meeting with bishops of Chile and Peru on Jan. 16, 2018, in the cathedral of Santiago, Chile, made the following remarks about clericalism:

“The lack of consciousness of belonging to God’s faithful people as servants, and not masters, can lead us to one of the temptations that is most damaging to the missionary outreach that we are called to promote: clericalism, which ends up as a caricature of the vocation we have received.

“A failure to realize that the mission belongs to the entire Church, and not to the individual priest or bishop, limits the horizon, and even worse, stifles all the initiatives that the Spirit may be awakening in our midst. Let us be clear about this. The laypersons are not our peons, or our employees. They don’t have to parrot back whatever we say. ‘Clericalism, far from giving impetus to various contributions and proposals, gradually extinguishes the prophetic flame to which the entire Church is called to bear witness. Clericalism forgets that the visibility and the sacramentality of the Church belong to all the faithful people of God (cf. Lumen Gentium, Nos. 9-14), not only to the few chosen and enlightened.’

“Let us be on guard, please, against this temptation, especially in seminaries and throughout the process of formation. I must confess, I am concerned about the formation of seminarians, that they be pastors at the service of the People of God; as a pastor should be, through the means of doctrine, discipline, the sacraments, by being close to the people, through works of charity, but also with the awareness that they are the People of God.”

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