Can I ignore my pastor because he is too worldly?

[bluebell166]

I believe my pastor is too flirty; more so than I think a person in his position should be. I also believe him to be too worldly; he will preach about how we need to not be of this world, but yet will go on and on about football or the different bars he visited while he was on vacation. I’ve tried speaking to him about my concerns only for him to get defensive and was given what I thought was less than a heartfelt apology. I thought him to be very condesending, to say the least. I’ve decided to ignore this man, but continue to attend Mass at my church and avoid him at all cost. Am I being sinful?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I cannot determine whether your actions are sinful, but it does seem possible that perhaps you have shown an inordinate amount of interest in your pastor’s personal life.

There was no evidence given for this priest’s alleged “flirtiness” or “worldliness.” All that was mentioned was that he likes talking about football and enjoys visiting bars – which, in that context, could be sports bars – while on his personal time. While bar-hopping could be problematic behavior for a priest, there was also no evidence given that this priest’s visits to such establishments are inappropriate.

I do agree that it would be a good idea for you to avoid this priest – not because he has been proven to have done anything wrong, but because, ordinarily speaking, his personal life is not a matter of concern for parishioners. I will say though that it is possible that this priest has been indiscreet in his conversation, evidently unaware that he should be careful about discussing his personal life with parishioners who might be too easily scandalized.