By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, April 3, 2022: Clericalism, which Pope Francis calls “a perversion of the priesthood,” operates also among some Catholic priests and bishops in India, says a Jesuit moral theologian.
Clericalism is largely centered on one’s access to power and wealth in the Church, which in turn gives some priests and bishop the taken-for-granted immunity, explains Father Stanislaus Alla, professor of moral theology at Delhi’s Vidyajyoti College of Theology.
The theologian was sharing his reflections at an April 2 webinar on “Clericalism” in the background of the essay titled “Hierarchicalism” by American Jesuit James Keenan, which was published in the latest issue of Theological Studies.
The Secretariat for Service of Faith of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia organized the webinar.
According to Father Stanislaus, while the importance and impact of the culture of ‘clericalism’ came to light by the expose of child-abuse in the West, it can be noticed equally in many forms in India.
Father Stanislaus quoted Peter Daly of the Washington who regularly contributes to the National Catholic Reporter and discusses clericalism.
Bishops and priests — the clerics — “are often trained to think they are set apart from and set above everyone else in the Church. Their word is not to be questioned. Their behavior is not to be questioned. Their lifestyle is not to be questioned” says Father Daly.
Father Stanislaus says people have lived with and have known “dedicated, simple, holy, humble and service-minded priests and bishops.” But at the same time, they also come across pastors with clericalism-mindset.
Pope Francis has reminded people that “ministerial priesthood” is to be at the disposal of the ‘common priesthood’ of all the Catholics and initiated several reforms including the review and revision of canonical rules and guidelines to make the hierarchy face the Vatican and government courts, if there are credible allegations against them.
Father Stanislaus to promote “best practices” adapted to the Indian culture and encourage Catholics to “audit” the services of their priests and bishops would help nurture a virtuous culture among the clergy and make them servant-priests.
Sister Inigo Joachim, a former superior general of the Sisters of St Ann’s Congregation of Chennai who has worked 14 years in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, responded to Father Stanislaus’ presentation. She said in her vision of the Church everyone in the Church served humanity on equal footing as they work for the kingdom of God.
Roushnee Sur, a lay woman respondent, stressed the need to serve the mission of God with greater dedication.
All three were further enhanced when the clergy became financially more powerful than the people thanks to institutional wealth and a ceaseless flow of foreign funds.
In India clericalism is further enhanced by the Brahmanical order (priestly class) and the colonial hangover of the Padres being identified with the gora sahibs.
I congratulate Dr Stanislaus Alla of VJ to reflect on ‘Clericalism in the context of Indian Hierarchical system’. Clericalism is like a cancerous disease. It promotes hypocrisy. Selected few control the system of governance Even in the choice of future leaders (Bishop) Clericalism plays a huge role. Synodal procedures and discernment have little role in the choice. Groupism, communal factors, casteism are obvious side effects of Clericalism in India. Hopefully synodality will help to find some remedies to fight Clericalism and to make Church more transparent and accountable.
Well said, I subscribe to your view. Further, the clergy too have a role towards rebuilding the society in terms of social and economic development and strengthening the ethical values and morality. For this, they have to become role models. But are they is the question. — Dr Kondaveeti Papa
Pope’s observation is correct in Indian context also