The Evil of Clericalism (Pope Francis)

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So are you saying that the Popes and Bishops for the (almost) thousands of years were wrong to wear elaborate and fancy clothes and accessories?
 
Yes. I mean pope Leo x even thanked god for the papacy so that he may enjoy it.
 
Please capitalize the ‘G’ in ‘God.’

It seems rather bold to claim that the Popes and Bishops were wrong to wear those clothes all that time.
 
I’m on a phone. It doesn’t capitalize everything. Also compared to st Francis many popes fall very short

It’s also very bold for servants to live like kings when they are those who should follow God who came down and had no place to lay His head

St Francis didn’t live like that. Neither did Benedict or John Bosco
 
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I know the meaning. I know it’s about the office and not the person. But many don’t and hence why it’s not the best look
 
True poverty doesn’t necessarily lie in renouncing material possessions. Rather it is an interior disposition. Sometimes, people such as St. Francis were called to a more radical material poverty, but not everyone.

St. Thomas More as a lawyer, wore fancy garments, becuase it was his place to do so. Humility is about knowing ones place. St. Thomas More recognized it was his place to do so, because of the dignity of his office. Was he mistaken? I would think not.
 
Thomas more wasn’t the pope. When you’re pope you should embody that kind of humility that st Francis and Christ embodied. That’s just my opinion
 
I read your posts. Im free to disagree here. I’m not rejecting catholic teaching. I understand one can be humble and wear the clothing of the office. I’m just saying I don’t agree it’s the best decision. I applaud Pope Francis for living more humble than Popes of the past.
 
Maybe I am. Im not saying that priests and bishops should dress in clothes that aren’t distinct from plainsclothes. Im just saying things like the papal tiara, if worn today, would cause more people to think the Pope (and Catholicism) isn’t living up to the humble standards Christ requires.
 
So, from what I understand there is symbolism in their clothing. Such as a priest wears black to show his detachment from the world.

The cardinal’s clothing is red to symbolize that they are willing to give their lives and be martyrs for the Catholic church.

IMHO it isn’t that they should rid themselves of the particular clothing they wear but that they should remember, honor and live the symbolism behind their clothing.
 
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I’m not saying that. I’m saying it should just appear less expensive
 
Likewise! 🙂 I was just happy when Pope Francis toned it down a bit compared to past popes. I think it’s a good example future popes should follow in this day and age
 
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You are joking, right? I am quite sure cardinals and bishops are fully aware of the importance of the office they hold AND the power that goes with it… hence decades of coverups.
 
“Clericalism” in and of itself is best viewed as using the authority of clerical office, be it priest, bishop, cardinal, etc., in order to wield power over others or to use their authority to act hypocritically, by concealing immoral actions, and to silence others.

So, under the shield of clericalism, clergy can perhaps get away with embezzling church funds, having sexual relations, gambling, using drugs, acting cruel towards others, secretly living lavishly, etc.

But amidst this breaking and ongoing abuse scandal (we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg of it in the US), the term “clericalism” is being overplayed in order to downplay the sexual crimes and infractions of those involved. Let’s put it this way: if there was a massive scandal involving priests selling drugs, getting rich, and covering for each other, everyone would say that the Church has a drug dealing problem first and foremost; nobody would blame “clericalism.” Clericalism would just be the means by which those acts were covered. But the main effort would be focused on eliminating the drug dealers from the Church.

By not calling the problem what it is clearly, the Church is not doing anybody any favors. It seems to be a delay tactic, leaving folks scratching their heads for a while to figure out what it is and how to address it.
 
They talk about clericalism all the time. Best if they actually practice it and speak the truth about the cover ups. SMH
 
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