Hyper-clericalism seems to be ruining churches East and West. Is there a word that describes an inordinate, unhealthy concentration of power, prerogatives and privileges in an office such as that of bishop, or in a group of bishops? That is the root issue of the day. Just exactly how much of the current understanding and exercise of the episcopate is within the deposit of faith and essential in the economy of salvation? St. John Chrysostom himself worried that, post Constantine, bishops were becoming less shepherds of their flocks and more something else. Clearly, we are living through the painful downside of antiquated approaches to many things, such as the centralization of selection of replacements among bishops, which breeds and attracts ineptitude, incompetence and arrogance. It's as if there is no varsity or even JV level talent available, only 3rd stringers whose vices are magnified by the man-made accretion of power to the episcopate, and whose virtues are minimized by their superiors and peers. Transparency, accountability and balance are not inimical to the success of human corporate organizations such as the Church in the modern age, which demands those characteristics. If the changeable can be changed, and the unchangeable left unchanged, methinks there is some massive re-alignment in our perception and definition of the episcopate approaching and necessary for the Church to survive. Agree, disagree?
What is the equivalent to a grouping of bishops? Lions have their pride, but I'm thinking by virtue of recent evidence that a gaggle of bishops is the most apropos. With apologies to geese.
Hyper-clericalism seems to be ruining churches East and West. Is there a word that describes an inordinate, unhealthy concentration of power, prerogatives and privileges in an office such as that of bishop, or in a group of bishops? That is the root issue of the day. Just exactly how much of the current understanding and exercise of the episcopate is within the deposit of faith and essential in the economy of salvation? St. John Chrysostom himself worried that, post Constantine, bishops were becoming less shepherds of their flocks and more something else. Clearly, we are living through the painful downside of antiquated approaches to many things, such as the centralization of selection of replacements among bishops, which breeds and attracts ineptitude, incompetence and arrogance. It's as if there is no varsity or even JV level talent available, only 3rd stringers whose vices are magnified by the man-made accretion of power to the episcopate, and whose virtues are minimized by their superiors and peers.
ReplyDeleteTransparency, accountability and balance are not inimical to the success of human corporate organizations such as the Church in the modern age, which demands those characteristics. If the changeable can be changed, and the unchangeable left unchanged, methinks there is some massive re-alignment in our perception and definition of the episcopate approaching and necessary for the Church to survive. Agree, disagree?
I tend to agree. No nobles around to keep the bishops in line; no Emperor to lock them all in a Council until they figure things out.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what happens, but hopefully something before it all splinters into congregationalism.
What is the equivalent to a grouping of bishops? Lions have their pride, but I'm thinking by virtue of recent evidence that a gaggle of bishops is the most apropos. With apologies to geese.
ReplyDeleteSyndicate? Cartel? Coven?
ReplyDeleteConclave. Originally, the term had to do with keeping them on task. Now, with keys implies keeping the rest of our noses out of their business.
ReplyDelete