| Description |
1 online resource (xi, 160 pages) |
| Summary |
The Clergy Club, as the title suggests, looks at the disconnection that exists between the clergy and the laity in the Catholic Church, and the "club" mentality on the part of the Church hierarchy that underpins it. Many examples are cited that reveal an attitude among priests and bishops of elitism and aloofness, as well as the clergy's inability to see the world from the perspective of the laity, even with the best intentions. Many questions are asked, such as "Where does this 'club' attitude come from? How does it express itself? How is it reinforced by Church structures and theology? What was Jesus' approach to both clergy and laity? Why is Pope Francis so vehement in his criticism of clericalism? Some practical initiatives are also suggested as a way of bringing about change in the clerical culture, a change that would help to rid the Church of clericalism, and in the process bring the clergy and laity closer together |
| Notes |
Preface: The day I joined the Club -- Introduction -- About the author -- Clergy culture -- Content of the book -- Why I have written this book -- Two practical issues -- Part 1: What is the clergy club? -- The image of the priest -- Clergy/lay disconnect -- Religious culture -- Clerical solidarity -- Clubs everywhere -- Leadership in the Church -- Leadership from within -- "But who calls the shots?"--A Vatican perspective -- Privileges of the Club -- Disconnection from the real world -- Club loyalty -- Club secrecy -- Pressure to conform -- Diocesan spirituality -- Images of God -- Conclusion to Part 1 -- -- Part 2: where does the clergy club mentality come from? -- Cause and effect -- Home environment -- School environment -- Seminary -- Integrated personality -- The need to be accepted -- The need for security and safety -- Clerical dress -- Clerical titles -- A lay perspective -- Insular mentality -- Models of church -- Passing on the faith -- Theology of priesthood -- The nature of institutions -- The hierarchical problem -- The secular/sacred distinction -- Mystique of the priesthood -- A male club -- Advocacy -- A celibate club -- Celibacy and club loyalty -- Celibacy, logistics and cost -- Historical perspective -- Conclusion to Part 2 -- Part 3: how does the clergy club mentality express itself? -- The Messiah complex -- Relating to "non-club members"--"Never treat them like sheep" -- The clergy bubble -- Consultation -- Inability to empathise with laity -- Inability to accept criticism -- Professional appraisal for clergy -- "A humbler church" -- Grumpy priests -- Two standards -- Lack of complaints procedure -- A corporate church -- Pomp and ceremony -- The sign of peace -- New translation -- Club language -- Language about God -- Resistance to change -- Interpretation of Scripture -- Reaching out to the educated -- Legalism -- Binding and loosening -- The seal of confession -- Inability to discuss issues -- Overseas clergy -- Vatican II -- Case study - gluten-free altar breads -- Conclusion to Part 3 -- Part 4: Jesus, the gospel, and the clergy club -- The compass -- "I have come to bring Good News to the poor" -- "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" -- "What were you arguing about on the way?" -- "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath?" -- "We tried to stop him" -- "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today" -- "Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour ...?" -- "They have no wine" -- "They tie up heavy burdens" -- "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" -- "Do you know what I have done to you?" -- Clergy or laity? Where does Jesus fit in? -- Conclusion to Part 4 -- Part 5: Pope Francis - a sign of hope -- The evil of clericalism -- Clericalism and the laity -- Control -- The prophetic flame -- "It takes two to tango" -- Jesus and clericalism -- Fifteen sicknesses of the Roman Curia -- Personal conversion -- A pope who smiles -- "Do not feel different from your peers" -- The Francis effect -- Normalising the papacy -- Part 6: a way forward -- Change in the Church -- A reason for optimism -- Vision and practice -- The 1,000 kilometre walk -- Proposal number 1 (Clergy and Lay Conference) -- Proposal number 2 (Professional Appraisal Process) -- Proposal number 3 (The Sign of Peace) -- Proposal number 4 (Pastoral Councils) -- Proposal number 5 (Basic Housekeeping) -- Proposal number 6 (New Translation of the Mass) -- Proposal number 7 (Ministries of Acolyte and Reader) -- Proposal number 8 (Access to Parish Funds Given to a Layperson) -- Conclusion -- Glossary.- |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Catholic Church -- Clergy.
|
| SUBJECT |
Catholic Church fast |
| Subject |
Christian leadership -- Catholic Church.
|
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Laity -- Catholic Church.
|
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RELIGION -- Christianity -- Catholic.
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Christian leadership -- Catholic Church
|
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Clergy
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Laity -- Catholic Church
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| Form |
Electronic book
|
| ISBN |
9781925643909 |
|
1925643905 |
|
9781925643893 |
|
1925643891 |
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