Editorial
Personhood and personality Ashley Beck
RICHARDBAKERRELIGION / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
the life of the Church, identified in the synod documents and repeatedly in the teachings of Pope Francis, is clericalism – and one aspect of this is the way in which clergy personality cults mar the ways in which leadership is often exercised. This can be expressed both positively and negatively – often a priest who manages to do a reasonable job is put on a pedestal, which can boost his ‘ego’; in contrast a priest with problems is portrayed as the reason why his parish is failing. Another example: if you are appointed to a parish with no assistant in ordained ministry (or rather no priest, as so many people disregard deacons), you are likely to be told ‘You’re on your own’, a phrase which speaks volumes. The synodal pathway, 60 years after the Second Vatican Council, is an attempt to change this culture, to help all the baptised realise their gifts and their responsibilities. A
problem is that it is difficult to address this without appearing to apportion blame – the priest for infantilizing ‘his’ people, the people for not putting themselves forward.
Perhaps a key can be found in the vision of Pope Francis in Fratelli tutti. Among Christians, perhaps we simply need to rediscover the value and joy of friendship – among the whole people of God, lay and ordained. So many have found that friendships, in parish communities, in workplaces and so many other settings, have become harder to maintain and deepen because of the pandemic four years ago, coupled with polarisation and worsening divisions in so many western societies: friendship is surely the best way to advance the synodal path. Friendship is also a good way to value the person and break down the personality cult.
October/November/December 2024 | Pastoral Review Vol. 20 Issue 4 | 5