Why is there so little debate, criticism, difference of opinion expressed within the hierarchical church in the open forum?
With the demise of the National Conference of Priests in Ireland (NCPI) there is now no established forum where priests can air their views.
The dogs on the street know there is much discontent and disharmony within the priesthood in Ireland and yet this mood or feeling is so seldom aired in public.
At parish level there are so many parishes where parish councils either don't exist or are disempowered.
There are parishes all over the country where there are no parish councils, where people have little or no say in the running of their parish, their church.
It is worth noting that the physical buildings have been built with the money and hard work of generations of families who have lived in the parish. Priests must never forget that and need to be ever sensitive as to who 'owns' the church. The physical building and the spiritual entity.
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2 comments:
I wonder if priests had a secure, anonymous confidential forum in which to speak their views (like a secure website) what one might hear?
Interesting comment/question.
At present there is no open and honest forum where priests can discuss and speak about their lives, joys and difficulties.
We all have seen the Catholic hierarchical church at its dysfunctional best. And the answer all the time seems to be 'stay quiet', never let the side 'down'.'We'll manage'.
The late Fr Flann Markham (this spelling may be incorrect, so apologies) referred to the running of the Irish Dominicans as tyrannical democracy or was it democratic tyranny. He was saying something. But such a 'tyranny' applies right across the hierarchical church in Ireland.
A woman with a close eye on church matters recently commentd that if she ran her family in a similar manner to how the church runs itself, chaos would be the order of the day in her home.
And if you want chapter and verse, keep reading this blog.
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