It was also on Pentecost that the Church was formally established, with this fortifying arrival of the Third Person of the Trinity. The authority of the Church, originating on this significant day, has obviously suffered much in recent years, most especially in this country due to the priestly scandals. The heinous acts of a small number of priests have contributed greatly to the decline in the credibility and commensurate authority that the faithful have held to for centuries. Of course, an erosion of the Church’s authority has been underway for decades, but the scandals seriously accelerated this erosive pattern.
Coincident with this decline has been an increasing timidity of Church authority figures at all levels. They have drawn back from exercising the guiding influence over the faithful which Christ intended for His handpicked followers and their successors. Other factors are involved, and our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has identified radical and rampant individualism as a present-day malady, and one which, trumpeting the sovereign autonomy of the individual, obviously would abhor and spurn most forms of outside influence on a person’s life.
Many priests find themselves on the “front lines” of this frustrating phenomenon. Ordained to assist the salvation of their flocks, they not infrequently find their more challenging homiletic coaxings towards virtuous living vehemently rebuffed. These preaching efforts, which are delivered to help those under their spiritual care, are often rejected in a manner not unlike that of the year-old child who throws his mashed peas on the floor, being oblivious to their nutritive value.
Over time, some priests give up, avoiding “controversial” pastoral preaching lest they suffer the consequences, and so the flock goes unfed, or is only minimally nourished. Fear displaces zeal in the priestly heart, as the laity ultimately gain control of what is disseminated to them, and pastoral authority diminishes. The phenomenon is unfortunately equally present at the episcopal level, only the stakes are now higher, often with entire dioceses really being guided by those who themselves should be the ones guided. Complaints made to Church authorities about solidly doctrinal preaching on challenging subjects by priests often boomerang back onto the priest, and ultimately the misguided laity are implicitly confirmed in their ignorance of the faith, as it becomes the priest who receives the “correction.”
Similarly, many a teacher (especially in Catholic schools) is fully aware of the baffling scenario which often arises upon his making a corrective initiative: Once Johnny tearfully relates the fully warranted discipline to a sympathetic parent, an angry phone call to the teacher usually ensues. Bold and brazen complaints very often succeed in intimidating authority figures, be they teacher, priest or even bishop.
The resulting deafening silence by those who should be leading has tragic long-term effects. An observation by Dr. Bernard Nathanson (former operator of the world’s largest abortion mill, and recent convert to Catholicism), affirms this. When Dr. Nathanson was asked how abortion became legal in the US, he replied that it was simply because of silent Church leaders — leaders who failed to speak. Is the same phenomenon being repeated presently vis-à-vis the audacious promotion of homosexuality, or the growing prevalence of euthanasia?
This Pentecost, let us pray for an especially powerful outpouring of grace upon today’s successors of the original Twelve Apostles, that all semblance of fear, vain concern over the consequences of passionate preaching and challenging of the faithful, and even the possibility of martyrdom, be dispelled. Just as the Spirit-motivated Apostles were so filled with love and zeal that they became completely forgetful of self, let us implore our Lord for the same fire in our present-day spiritual leaders. Beseech the Father that they will reclaim the authority to lead, to exhort believers towards moral and virtuous living as He intends for them to do — even if it might cost them their comfortable lifestyles, or eventually their lives, as it cost our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
© Copyright 2005 Catholic Exchange
Fr. Joseph Klee is the Associate Pastor at St. Michael Church, Worthington, Ohio. He studied theology at the Angelicum in Rome, received an MA in Theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and has an MSE from the University of Michigan.
