In his recent write-up, “A Cancer in the Body: The Culture of Clericalism,” Myron Pereira rightly pointed to the clericalism that is so rampant in the Church, and that serves as a formidable fortress protecting the clergy. The bishops of India too seem to be aware of this problem. The final statement of the 32nd Plenary Meeting of the CBCI lists “Shunning excessive institutionalization, clericalism and extravaganza” among its proposals (http://www.cbci.in/Messages.aspx).
Many members of the clergy then think that they can do what they like with impunity; that they can even indulge in criminal behaviour and get away with it. I am reminded of an MP, who after beating an Air India manager, is reported to have boasted: “I hit him 25 times with my slipper.” The latest news is that his party has decided to stand by him. Clerics too think that the clergy will always stand by its man.
If we wish to free the Church of this cancer, then we need to go to its roots. Contemporary Post-modern thinkers have drawn our attention to the authoritarian and oppressive character even of what we call theological truths. This is not difficult to see when we keep in mind that the vast volume of Catholic theology, spirituality, liturgy and law has been designed almost totally by a small group of clerics.
Subhash Anand
