When I see a line like this, I always wonder how? since I work closely with pastors and have worked with many, I am sorry when I hear a statement like this because it has set up a me vs the clergy mentality.
And I am sorry to make such a statement but I’ll no longer simply ignore the truth. No longer will I show defference or respect to clergy simply because they are clergy. They need to threat me (and others) like humans, like members of the faithful and not as carrion. I think this problem has grown over the years here locally because clergy have long been treated as if they are beyond reproach and they are not. Far from it.
Clergy has failed to perform for a great many reasons over the years here locally from what I can see. One pastor was older and handicapped. He was difficult to deal with and opposed to any change. With him you just shrugged your shoulders. Others have had alcohol issues. Others seem simply not to care. And in the words of one visiting priest, some simply seem to be lazy, and I agree with him.
The pastor I work with now has made a number of changes in the parish with liturgy and faith foramtion. There have been a number parishioners who have been displaced from their positions because they did not want to coorperate with the changes he was making. I’m certain that they feel they were treated “poorly.”
Oh my gosh! I wish some laypeople around here would be asked to take a pew! That’s one of the most urgently needed things around here! A few years ago I was asked to take part in a series of parish/liturgical planning sessions. In essence fewer and fewer people were/are attending Mass and the downhill slide had been going on for many years. It began to concern the former pastor and the bishop.
We were taking part in a private roundtable, both the pastor and the bishop were there. I had just come from work and was in no mood to fool around. We were asked what it would take to re-kindle the Spirit at the parish. You can imagine the suggestions and the follow-on discussion. When my turn came I said something like:
“Find a bulletin from 10 years ago (about the time the slide began.) Note anyone that was on staff back then that’s still on staff today and replace them or eliminate their positions altogether.” I had done my homework before the meeting. There were seven such people and each one was very difficult to deal with and universally ineffective in their duties.
I can still remember the white/sweaty face of my pastor in response to my comment. Neither he nor anyone else had the courage to do what needed to be done and they knew it. Doing exactly what I said would have been a decent first step to actually renewing the parish.
The changes he made were necessary for conducting the liturgy in accordance with the GIRM and running formation as dictated by the Diocese. There are time that changes are made, we need to trust in the pastor that through pray and decernment that he is being lead by the Spirit to make changes for the better. Often those who think they have been treat badly are putting their own needs, wishes and power above the needs of the parish.
That all goes without saying.
On a brighter side we do have a parochial vicar that does all the great stuff a priest should do. He shows up early for Mass (even when he is not celebrating) and talks to people, especially those that do not flock around priests. So there is a glimmer of hope. In the mean time I simplu sit in my pew.
