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I would say that, within the last 10 years, about 60% of the priests presiding over Masses I've attended have been disappointments. Why?
- too tired and too close to retirement
- broad brush message with haphazard applicability
- intellectual disconnectedness from the parish baseline
- elitist, arrogant, dogmatic, and/or haughty
- difficult to understand or communicate with, either through no fault of their own (foreign) or poor communication skills.
I really think about 40% of the priests are decent. Generally, they are more likely to be found among the Franciscans and the Dominicans, and less among the highbrow Jesuits who are in a "league of their own," though sometimes diocesan ones come through with good training and sometimes not.
I wonder what percentage of parishioners are disappointments to their priests?
They are in NO position to judge. They should just provide pastoral care across the board. Also, you didn't answer my question. You answered a question with a question. You need to acknowledge that some duds are getting through the seminary process.
I would say that, within the last 10 years, about 60% of the priests presiding over Masses I've attended have been disappointments. Why?
- too tired and too close to retirement
- broad brush message with haphazard applicability
- intellectual disconnectedness from the parish baseline
- elitist, arrogant, dogmatic, and/or haughty
- difficult to understand or communicate with, either through no fault of their own (foreign) or poor communication skills.
I really think about 40% of the priests are decent. Generally, they are more likely to be found among the Franciscans and the Dominicans, and less among the highbrow Jesuits who are in a "league of their own," though sometimes diocesan ones come through with good training and sometimes not.
Any thoughts?
I've only known 1 priest well.
That is my childhood priest, who was awesome. He'd make jokes, remembered all the kids names (he had 3 schools in the Parish).
The only other priest that made a positive impact was the one associated with a retreat that I had to attend in my final highschool year. He was very engaging, patient & interesting.
Ive been to other masses with other priests, those points you listed applies for them.
I find them disappointing for other, obvious reasons that I have already expressed on this forum.
My current priest isn't a "disappointment" per se, but he's kind of an ass. He seems haughty and full of himself. He gives a good homily for the most part, if a little long. Before that, I had a priest who used to ramble on and on. He had a nice Irish accent. To be honest, I don't really expect too much from priests.
They are in NO position to judge. They should just provide pastoral care across the board.
It's in the priest's job description to judge. He must judge the spiritual condition of his parishioners and provide the appropriate teachings and remedies. Parishioners, on the other hand, should refrain from judging their priests as a rule.
Quote:
Originally Posted by robertpolyglot
Also, you didn't answer my question. You answered a question with a question. You need to acknowledge that some duds are getting through the seminary process.
Unfortunately I have to agree with this statement because, today, we are living in extremely abnormal and exceptional circumstances. In some regions, the majority of priests are either open heretics or heretics without even being aware of it. Laymen do need to be aware of the dangers. One reason I attend the Latin Mass is so that I can relax and refrain from the arrogant habit of judging priests.
It's in the priest's job description to judge. He must judge the spiritual condition of his parishioners and provide the appropriate teachings and remedies.Parishioners, on the other hand, should refrain from judging their priests as a rule.
Unfortunately I have to agree with this statement because, today, we are living in extremely abnormal and exceptional circumstances. In some regions, the majority of priests are either open heretics or heretics without even being aware of it. Laymen do need to be aware of the dangers. One reason I attend the Latin Mass is so that I can relax and refrain from the arrogant habit of judging priests.
I'm talking about judging who is better than others - as in whose big house with the pool has the most cookies and tea events, who provides the church with more money (because they can), and who enables him to go to ribbon cutting events. These are the gland handers. I'm not even complaining about their ability to deliver a sermon and whatnot. I'm complaining about them as people, that they are no better than anyone else, but they too have developed a "God complex." Your views are archaic, as seen from your doom and gloom attitudes on everything, including pop culture and its bad effect on children. If you raise your kids with good values, you shouldn't have to worry about this. This is not the Eisenhower era, so you need to get over it.
The ones that are good we remember. And they're few and far between, making them easier to remember.
wish i could rep you as you are so on target---after years of volunteering in the church,i can sadly say i have met only 2 true to their calling---the rest of the church leaders(esp. pastors) i can say remind me of a combo of used car salesmen,lawyers,and politicians rolled into one
It's in the priest's job description to judge. He must judge the spiritual condition of his parishioners and provide the appropriate teachings and remedies. Parishioners, on the other hand, should refrain from judging their priests as a rule.
Really, and you think they follow through? They just judge, and DON'T provide appropriate teachings and remedies. They just do what they did the year before, just like your 7th grade algebra teacher had his/her rote lecture plan.
All of your posts have this recurring theme that is analogous to "the parent is right and the child is wrong." I wonder what has shaped this predictable point of view for you.
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