Cultish elitism mars vocations

by Letters Editor · April 18, 2013

From Wesley Seale, Cape Town – One hastens to respond to Name Withheld (Vocations wrongs, April 3) with the words of the Good Shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me; my sheep listen to my voice. While one can agree with the general thrust of the letter, it is important to understand that the common thinking of the ministerial priesthood is one that is clerical, purist and elitist.

Instead of being understood as men called upon to be mere elders (presbyterate), they are put on pedestals and everything is done to ensure that they are kept high up there. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

The vast reaction, and/or lack thereof by the hierarchy, to any scandal plaguing the ministerial priesthood comes from this misunderstanding that these are men who are Christs rather than pilgrims with the rest of the faith community. Cover-ups, lack of response and even today’s inappropriate response to scandal speaks to this notion that all must be averted to continue to portray the priest as a man in need of mercy himself.
They are not to be seen as men who are weak and vulnerable. They are not to be seen as men needing the help of other members of the common priesthood, but instead are literally trained to think, like the pre-Vatican II understanding, that the fullness of Orders lies in them. Some bishops, priests and lay people themselves are guilty of perpetuating this kind of thinking.

We must pray for vocations despite the many vocations that are being denied. We must continue to pray for vocations of men who are crucibles of compassion and mercy.

The word vocation comes from the Latin to call or to be called. In this instance, we believe being called by the Lord. If a man (or woman, in the case of the religious life) believes he/she has been called by the Lord, then no matter what a seminary rector thinks or says, that person, cooperating with the help of the Lord, will, in faith, fulfil his/her vocation.

Remember that humans look at appearance but in choosing who to lead God’s people, as elder rather than as cultic priest, God looks at the heart and what God seeks above all is a contrite heart!