Clericalism Archives

Top anti-abuse expert says ‘paternalistic’ attitude is worse than clericalism

Mar 13, 2020

One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in child protection has said that more dangerous than clericalism in the clerical abuse crisis is a “paternalistic” attitude within the Church that both devalues laypeople and puts clergy on a pedestal.

By Elise Ann Allen

Clergy and laity share ‘co-responsibility’ in Church, bishop says

Mar 11, 2020

The “Called and Co-Responsible: Exploring Co-Responsibility for the Mission of the Church” conference was hosted by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame on March 4-6.

By Jack Lyons

Meeting of Church heavy-hitters calls for ‘adjustments’ to priestly formation

Jan 7, 2020

A Boston College conference called for greater involvement of women and laity in seminary formation.

By Christopher White

Theologians examine role of power, clericalism in the sex abuse crisis

Mar 31, 2019

Two systematic theologians examined how power and clericalism among Catholic clergy played a role in creating the sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Church anew since June during a daylong Catholic University of America conference.

By Dennis Sadowski

Former UN envoy’s tenure described as ‘horror story’ for staff

Mar 11, 2019

Former employees of the Holy See’s Mission to the UN believe the case of former nuncio Archbishop Francis Chullikatt evidences the challenges of whistleblowers within the Church.

By Christopher White

Clericalism a key cause of women’s exclusion, Korean nun says

Oct 26, 2018

Sister Mina Kwon, a delegate to this month’s Synod of Bishops on youth, has said that as the Church ponders how to better include women in decision-making roles, the situation has improved, but more needs to be done, and clericalism must be exposed as an underlying reason why women are not often in leadership.

By Elise Harris