Some years ago, one of the best-read columnists in the Catholic press, a prominent priest-sociologist, used to complain about clerical envy. If memory serves, the columnist was referring to the sentiments that many parish priests might have felt toward highly visible priests like himself -- author of many books, popular on the lecture circuit, frequent guest on television, and oft-quoted in the press.
He might be on to something here. For example, many of Milwaukee's priests can't bear the thought that someone else of their number might be made a monsignor.
What's the big advantage of monsignorhood, besides the large cash "gifts" that reportedly must be paid to assure the proper paperwork is issued?
ReplyDeleteIn my childhood parish, the only noticable difference between Father Pastor and Monsignor the weekend help-out was the purple pompom on Monsignor's biretta, while Father Pastor's pompom was black .....
Monsignorhood has to do with earned, not purchased honor.
ReplyDeleteYou know, like MVP.
Methinks you are a bit cynical.
And, yes, Terry, I noticed your ironic emphases demonstrating that the Catholic Herald pays for viewpoints from the opposition.
ReplyDeleteBut why not the Dalai Lama? (Racism?) Billy Graham? (Ageism?)