#clergy

Denial of our pattern of failure seems to be a kind of practical atheism or chosen ignorance among many believers and clergy. ↗

— Richard Rohr

#clergy #failure #religion #life

My dear child, you must believe in God despite what the clergy tells you. ↗

— Benjamin Jowett

#child #clergy #dear #despite #god

So too, in forming a constitution, or in enacting rules of procedure, or making canons, the people do not merely passively assent, but actively cooperate. They have, in all these matters, the same authority as the clergy. ↗

— Charles Hodge

#assent #authority #canons #clergy #constitution

There is a species of person called a 'Modern Churchman' who draws the full salary of a beneficed clergyman and need not commit himself to any religious belief. ↗

— Evelyn Waugh

#belief #called #clergyman #commit #draws

A plain, brown paper-wrapped package came in the mail recently. Upon opening it, I saw that it was a patchwork quilt about four feet by five feet. Many little scraps of cloth, carefully joined by loving hands. Two squares have suggestions of a black cassock and Roman white collar. The maker of the quilt states, “In its variety, I feel it denotes confusion and the world “mixed” up. There are dark spots for the dark times and bright squares, so, hopefully, some good and brightness will come in the future. The other pieces of cloth were of happy times, mothers and children, peaceful settings, happy things.” A note inside stated that she felt we were “scraps,”—the “scraps” that the abusive priests treated us like. They would use us as a scrap is used and then simply toss us aside. I was moved to tears. Holding it in my hands, I could almost feel others' pain and suffering, as I touched each panel. It is a magnificent work, worthy of a prize. I was deeply humbled by the receipt of the quilt. This woman got it; she really got it. This woman got it; she really got it. She has a deeper understanding of what we have gone through. It is rare. ↗

— Charles L. Bailey Jr.

#catholic-church #child-abuse #clergy-abuse #hope #pain