Cardinal Rode, the Vatican's top official on religious orders, recently said that religious life was being weakened by 'moral relativism'. "The biggest problems are created by the climate of secularisation which is present not only in Western society but also within the church. The indicators are unfettered freedom, a weak sense of family, a worldly spirit, the scarce visibility of religious dress, a devaluation of prayer, an insufficient community life and a scant regard for obedience."
What exactly is meant by 'secularisation', 'unfettered freedom' and worldly spirit'
The reference to religious dress is interesting. What exactly does the man mean?
The current phenomenon of clerics spending undue time and attention to flowing robes is indeed most worrying.
Surely the place of the priest is in solidarity with the marginalised. The present trend of dressing up making oneself noticeable would seem to be a far cry from the life and times of Jesus Christ.
And as for the 'worldly spirit', it really is difficult to hear princes of the church use such language.
It is coincidental that this blog this week mentions the names of cardinals from another era.
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The following comment was received by a reader. The author wishes to remain anonymous. The comment was not received via the 'comment' system on the blog.
Just reading again your piece about Cardinal Rode. I would share your bewilderment about some of what he says, but he is speaking of members of religious orders as such. When you introduce the word 'priest' and an expression of what priests should be doing, where they should be found (among the marginalised) you are changing the subject!
Rode is not setting himself up to address a word to priests, but to those women and men in religious vows.
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