I’m sorry, I’ve read through this entire thread and I have to say, the heat that the OP is getting is not right. Perhaps he has said some things which upset some people, I will admit that. But, even though he seemingly doesn’t care, I can’t imagine how someone would feel being as victimized as he has. Frankly, I don’t think a post he made about “sucking up” to his professor to get good grades is indicative of what type of person he is. I think people are just put off by his obnoxious persona. Jesus never said anything about bumping up your grades with a smile on your face being immoral.
Even though this issue with your priest has passed, I must also say that I’m appauled a priest would act this way. Of course, I’m only going by your side. There are always two sides. But be that as it may, if this is really the way things went down, then the priest has commited the heavier sin. The bible tells us that more is expected of he who has more. I’d imagine that a priest with years of discernement, spiritual wisdom, education, and divine teaching definitely should be held to a higher standard than most other people. You both did wrong, but it is him who should have known better and acted in humility. Imagine if Jesus started throwing insults back at the Jews who were falsely accusing and mocking him.
I’m all for tough love. Sometimes I feel my priest is being way too lenient on some people. I’m sure he knows it too. But, dare I say, that is just who he is; a humble person. He cannot help but forgive and forget. To be frank, every priest should be of the same persona. Sure, there are times when the law needs to be laid down, perhaps even in extreme ways, but banning someone from the parish is unheard of.
And, at the risk of sounding like an apologist for the OP, it doesn’t sound to me that he did much wrong in saying what he said, if the things he said were actually true! (let’s assume, for argument’s sake, that they are). If other members of the parish really have been speaking negative things about this priest, and suggesting it may be best if he leaves, then I feel that the OP had every right to reveal this to him. Sure, he might have said it in an arrogant way to support himself, but if it really is true, then TC has done no wrong. As most responses have said themself; there’s nothing wrong with tough love. You told the priest the truth, even though it was perhaps a very ugly one for him to hear.
Of course, that’s assuming what you have said is true. To be honest, I’m assuming you’ve exxagerated your side of the story (perhaps unknowingly), which is a normal human reaction. But I just felt that, given the information you provided, people had no right to victimize you and hold you to a higher standard than a priest, especially since you didn’t actually insult him on a personal or untuthful level; you did nothing but tell him how other people felt about him, and that you feel that way as well. This doesn’t alleviate you of any wrongdoing, though. To be honest, I don’t know what you could’ve done instead. But lashing back out at him was probably not constructive.