We believe CLERICALISM is the evil behind the sexual abuse crisis in the church
and it is up to us, the laity to help prevent it, expose it, as well as work tirelessly to eradicate it.
Definitions of CLERICALISM:
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A policy of maintaining or increasing the power of a religious hierarchy. - Merriam Webster
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Clericalism is a disordered attitude toward clergy, an excessive deference and an assumption of their moral superiority.
- Aleteia
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Clericalism is the notion that clerics are superior to the laity and are entitled to privileges. - The Basic Spirituality
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"When Clerics feel they are superior, [and when] they are far from the people.” - Pope Francis
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Clericalism is basically the bad idea that only the ordained and religious are fully Catholic
and that laypeople are more or less second-class. - Catholic Exchange
Examples of Clericalism:
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"Father is always right"
"Never disagree if a bishop does it"
"Don't question anything a priest or bishop does"
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“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.”
Pope Francis
Lumen Gentium 9-14, January 16, 2018
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“Clericalism has a direct consequence in rigidity.
Have you never seen young priests all stiff in black cassocks and hats in the shape of the planet Saturn on their heads?”
Pope Francis
Vatican City September 26, 2019
“One dimension of clericalism is a moral fixation on the sixth commandment.
We do not give weight to social injustice, slander, gossip and lies.”
Pope Francis
Vatican City September 26, 2019
“Clericalism leads to a homogenization of the laity:
treating it as an ‘emissary’ limits the various initiatives and efforts and,
I dare say, the boldness necessary to be able to bring the Good News of the Gospel
to all areas of social and political activity.”
Pope Francis
April 26, 2016
“Clericalism can be a sin for clergy and laity: for clergy if they want to be treated as superior to laity and laity if they shirk the responsibilities proper to their own vocation as baptized Christians.”
Pope Francis
Homily at Santa Marta, December 13, 2016
“Clericalism ends up as a caricature of the vocation we have received.”
Pope Francis
Vatican City
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