Clericalism is an attitude that arises from an imbalance in the understanding of the roles and functions of the clergy and the laity within the Church. It often manifests as an overemphasis on the power and importance of the clergy, leading to a hierarchical structure where the laity are undervalued or treated as subordinate.
Clericalism can lead to the abuse of power, conscience, and even sexual or financial abuse, due to a lack of transparency and accountability. It can cause problems of “priestly identity”, deriving sometimes from an unclear theological understanding of the two ways of participating in the priesthood of Christ.
It sometimes nullifies the character of Christians and tends to diminish and undervalue the baptismal grace that the Holy Spirit has placed in the heart of the people. It can foster an elitist feeling among clergy, creating a sense of superiority and intolerance towards the laity who are not “activists” in Catholic organizations.
There are aspects that clericalism can be detrimental to the Church’s mission such as the erosion of lay vocation, impediment to Church’s Mission, fueling abuse, spiritual worldliness, distortion of authority, loss of respect, and inward focus
While clericalism is overwhelmingly negative, a proper understanding of the distinct roles of clergy and laity can have positive aspects.
The sacramental priesthood is both hierarchical and ministerial, a service to the community that comes from Christ himself. The priest’s role is to form and govern the priestly people, offering the Eucharistic sacrifice in the person of Christ. The ordained priesthood is indispensable for a community to be called a Church, providing the exercise and sacramental action of Christ.
Maintaining a distinction between the roles of clergy and laity avoids obscuring their complementary relationship. Clergy should not assume roles proper to the laity, and vice versa.
Recognizing the specific mission of the laity to sanctify the structures of society from within is essential.
While were all called to be holy. priests are called to a specific holiness, characterized by being completely possessed by the mystery of Christ and building the community of the People of God. The priest is another Christ, and that the priesthood though exercised on earth merits to be numbered among the orders of heaven.
Pope Francis is strongly against clericalism, viewing it as a major obstacle to the Church’s renewal and mission. He advocates for a Church where clergy and laity work together in mutual respect and co-responsibility, each fulfilling their unique vocations in service to the Gospel.
In Letter of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God last October 2023, Pope Francis stressed out the importance of listening and encouraged everyone to concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion of the Church.
References
Letter to the People of God (20 August 2018) 2 / Pope Francis
Christus vivit 98 / Pope Francis