By Verghese V Joseph –
Clericalism, a hierarchical structure that elevates clergy above the laity, has been a longstanding issue within the Catholic Church worldwide, including in India. The Indian Catholic Church, while vibrant and diverse, has grappled with manifestations of clericalism that hinder its mission of service and outreach. Let’s delve into the dynamics of clericalism within the Indian Catholic Church, examining its origins, manifestations, and the impact of Pope Francis’ message of humility, inclusivity, and reform.
The history of Catholicism in India dates back to the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. Over the centuries, the Church in India has grown and diversified, encompassing a multitude of rites, languages, and cultures. However, the legacy of colonialism and missionary activity has left an imprint on the Church, contributing to a hierarchical structure that often mirrors patterns of authority and power prevalent in wider society.
Clericalism manifests itself in various ways within the Indian Catholic Church. One prominent aspect is the perception of clergy as the sole arbiters of religious authority and doctrine, with little input from the laity. This top-down approach to decision-making has led to a disconnect between the clergy and the faithful, fostering a sense of alienation and disempowerment among lay Catholics. Additionally, clericalism has contributed to a culture of deference and obedience, where questioning or challenging the actions of clergy is discouraged or even penalised.
Another manifestation of clericalism is the prevalence of a “clergy-laity” divide, where clergy are seen as belonging to a separate class with distinct privileges and responsibilities. This division has hindered collaboration and mutual respect between clergy and laity, impeding the Church’s ability to effectively respond to the needs of its members and society at large. Furthermore, clericalism has exacerbated issues of clerical abuse and misconduct, as power differentials between clergy and laity create opportunities for exploitation and cover-up.
Pope Francis’ Critique of Clericalism
Pope Francis has been a vocal critic of clericalism and its detrimental effects on the Church’s mission. Throughout his papacy, he has emphasised the need for humility, service, and accountability among clergy and laity alike. In his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), Francis condemns clericalism as a “serious illness” that stifles the spirit of evangelization and alienates the faithful. He calls on clergy to reject the trappings of power and privilege, and to embrace a more humble and inclusive approach to ministry.
Moreover, Pope Francis has championed the concept of synodality, emphasising the importance of shared decision-making and collaboration within the Church. He encourages bishops and clergy to listen to the voices of the laity, especially those on the margins, and to involve them in the discernment and implementation of pastoral initiatives. By promoting a culture of dialogue and consultation, Francis seeks to break down the barriers of clericalism and foster a more participatory and responsive Church.
Pope Francis’ message of humility, inclusivity, and reform has resonated with many Catholics in India, inspiring reflection and action within the Church. His emphasis on the need for greater engagement with the laity has prompted discussions on ways to empower lay Catholics and promote their active participation in the life of the Church. This has led to initiatives such as lay pastoral councils, parish-based ministries, and social outreach programs that involve the laity in decision-making and leadership roles.
Furthermore, Pope Francis’ commitment to transparency and accountability has prompted calls for greater accountability mechanisms within the Indian Catholic Church, particularly in addressing issues of clerical abuse and misconduct. Advocates for reform have urged bishops and clergy to prioritise the safety and well-being of the faithful, and to implement measures to prevent and respond to instances of abuse.
While Pope Francis’ message of reform offers hope for a more vibrant and inclusive Indian Catholic Church, significant challenges remain. Resistance to change, entrenched institutional interests, and cultural norms may hinder efforts to dismantle clericalism and promote a more synodal and participatory model of governance. Moreover, the hierarchical structure of the Church and the legacy of colonialism pose additional obstacles to reform.
However, there are also opportunities for positive change. The growing awareness of clericalism and its detrimental effects on the Church’s mission has sparked conversations and initiatives aimed at fostering greater collaboration and accountability within the Indian Catholic Church. By embracing Pope Francis’ call for humility, service, and dialogue, Catholics in India can work together to build a Church that is more responsive to the needs of its members and society at large.
Clericalism poses a formidable challenge to the Catholic Church, threatening its mission of proclaiming the Gospel and serving the needs of the faithful. Pope Francis, with his bold vision of reform and renewal, has emerged as a beacon of hope in this endeavour. Through his words and actions, Francis seeks to dismantle the walls of clericalism and build a Church that is humble, compassionate, and inclusive. While the road ahead may be fraught with obstacles, the promise of a more synodal, transparent, and accountable Church offers hope for a brighter future.
Long before the advent of Vatican II ecclesiology and Pope Francis’ emphasis on synodality, in Kerala there existed an inherent participatory system called palliyogam. What happened to it?
The European (Latin) church was far more clericalised and imposed this on the native churches of India. We Indians have always been in awe of the white skins, so we saw the gora sahibs as a class apart. The foreign missionaries fell in the slot of the gora sahibs.
Secondly, priesthood in India is brahminised. I know for sure that in Goa priesthood was almost the exclusive domain of the Brahmins. This further strengthened clericalism in a church ministering to tribals and dalits.
Thirdly, the clergy had the financial muscle. Foreign missionaries relied on foreign funds rather than local resources. Post Independence this trend continued with the easy availability of funds from donor agencies, always routed through the clergy. And money makes the mare go. When foreign funds started drying up they resorted to money generating educational institutions, to keep the mills running!
Clericalism will collapse under its own weight only when the clergy’s funds dry up and the subaltern classes revolt against the brown missionaries that replaced the gora sahibs. Synodality be damned!
This is an excellent article. Whatever the writer has pointed out, is happening NOW.
As Chhotebhai has pointed out, Finance Management of a parish and a diocese must be in the hands of the laity as happening in the dioceses in the US, Canada and some other European countries. Interestingly and strangely, the Indian priests who work in the above mentioned countries faithfully follow that system. But when they are back to India they change!?! This is an irony.
Infact, Kottar diocese in the southern state is following this system. Why can’t the other dioceses follow?
Moreover, a strong awakening must happen among the laity who are in a suppressed, oppressed, passive and in a sleepy situation. The pyramidal structure must collapse. Till then clericalism will rule and wield its power.
No doubt, clericalism is an issue not many in the Catholic Church are comfortable discussing about. But the more we discuss, the better will it be for the Church. My take is, many issues the Church faces today, apart from the systematic and selective targeting by party in power, are outcome of inadequate consultation. The Catholic Church can ill effort this culture, particularly in the emerging socio-politico churning. The reluctance of the clergy to consult and also associate the laity would be to our peril, therefore, the faster we realise, the better it would be. In what we may call as “the perenial Clergy- Lay differences” both need to take the blame equally. Unfortunately, majority of Lay faithful seem to think that their main task is to find fault with what priests and Bishops are doing, just like majority amongst the clergy had gotten into habit of interpreting forceful suggestions as arrogance. I look at the Catholic Church as one unsakable institution in our country, as elsewhere. But the enemy is within, therefore, unless we welcome change and encourage mutual consultation between the spiritual and the secular worlds, we may even witness Churches with depleting members.