What Pope Francis, Emmanuel Asante and Other Leaders Say About the Sin of Clericalism in Christianity

EVERY CHRISTIAN must read extensively about Christianity. Also prayerfully examine Christianity today in the light of the New Testament Scriptures. You will see a culture of division existing in the Church between pastors and the multitude of believers.

You will see that pastors are considered first-best Christians equipped exclusively with spiritual gifts to function as active ministers while the multitude of believers are considered second-best Christians with no spiritual gifts to serve, but only as passive spectators in ministry.

Rick Warren knows about this sad culture so he writes that “…the church is a sleeping giant. Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except “keeping” it.”

He continues that “the designation “active” member in most churches means those who attend regularly and financially support the church. Not much more is expected. But God has far greater expectations for every Christian.

“He expects every Christian to use his or her gifts and talents in ministry. If we can ever awaken and unleash the massive talents, resources, creativity, and energy lying dormant in the typical local church, Christianity will explode with growth at an unprecedented rate.”

Highly anointed and educated church leaders agree that this problem has been caused by the sin of clericalism.

The Association of U.S Catholic Priests define clericalism as an expectation, leading to abuses of power that ordained ministers are better than and should be over everyone else among the People of God.

In the words of Pope Francis, clericalism is an attitude embraced by priests and bishops in which they see themselves as special or superior to others.

Peter Daly states that clericalism is a disease which is deeply ingrained in Christianity…”. He argues that pastors are often trained to think they are set apart from and set above everyone else in the church.

‘Their word is not to be questioned. Their behavior is not to be questioned. Their lifestyle is not to be questioned. They rule over the church as if they were feudal lords in a feudal society. That is how they see themselves – lords of the manor, complete with coats of arms, titles of nobility and all the perks that go with “superiority”.

Daly does not criticise clerics only as being clerical; he also attacks the laity for promoting clericalism by always deferring to “Father” and putting “Father” on a pedestal.

Pope Francis supports Daly’s view when he states that “clericalism, whether fostered by priests themselves or by lay person, leads to an excision in the ecclesial body that supports and helps to perpetuate many of the evils that are condemned today. To say “no” to abuse is to say an emphatic “no” to all forms of clericalism”

Thus, Francis sees clericalism as an approach that not only nullifies the character of Christians, but also tends to diminish and undervalue the baptismal grace that the Holy Spirit has placed in the heart of our people.

“In parish life, priests exhibit clericalism by ignoring, putting down, and excluding laypeople, especially those with whom they minister. Francis has repeatedly denounced clericalism, referring to it as an ugly perversion of the Church, an evil, a really awful thing, and an abuse of power.”

Clericalism, in the words of Darryl M. Erkel, has done much to harm and weaken the body of Christ. It clearly divides the Christian brotherhood; it hinders the saints from behaving like the ministers they are; it obscures, if not annuls the essential oneness of the people of God.

Prof. Emmanuel Asante shares the notion expressed by Erkel when he insists that clericalism is a mistake and must be corrected.

In his book, Asante points out that “…clericalism of Christian service…has limited ministry to that of the ordained.”

Several church leaders across denominations condemn the culture of clericalism in Christianity, considering its adverse effects on the priesthood of all believers.

In his message, Francis says clericalism “nullifies the personality of Christians” and “leads to the functionalization of the laity, treating them as ‘errand boys [or girls].”

Jason Blakely stresses that “clericalism does this by treating priests (pastors) as beatified ministers merely by dint of the formal role that they occupy in the church.

From the vantage point of clericalism, priests appear to be nearly magical beings, holier than the rest of us, capable of greater moral perfection, insight, wisdom and fortitude.

By James Quansah.

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James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.