Who is a Credible Priest?
This slogan best describes who is a credible priest and the credibility which priesthood must sprung. Time and again many people look at the image of priesthood in a very superficial way but with regards to credibility it is often uncertain. Some people often only regard them as ministers of sacraments and nothing more. In other words, sometimes they only regard them as social workers or educators but not as spiritual leaders or as image of Christ in this world. It is evident nowadays that priests’ credibility suffered in a dilemma that triggers a wide spectrum of issues of the past. And it lingers at present the off-putting impact of covered up issues which tainted the credibility of priests. How is the credibility of priesthood? As they say “it is not on the physicality but on the spirituality they possessed” that credibility must be seen in every life of the priests.
One time that I passed by in our seminary library, I happened to browse a magazine telling a story about some conditions of the priests nowadays. I was struck to a blog comment written in it telling “A Priest is Always Wrong”. Being curious about it, I researched and found this amusing text.
“If he begins his mass on time, his watch is advanced; If he begins a minute later, he keeps people waiting. If he preaches too long, he makes people get bored; If his homily is too short, he is unprepared. If he owns a car, he is luxurious; If he does not own one, he does not go with the times. If he goes out to visit families, he is always out: If he does not, he has no time for them. If he asks for donations, he is a moneymaker; If he does not do it, he is too proud and lazy. If he takes time in the confessional, he is too slow; If he makes it too fast, he has no time for his penitents. If he renovates the church, he throws away money; If he does not do it, he allows everything to rot away. If he is with the youth, he forgets the old. If he is seen with women, he is a playboy; If he goes with men, he is not normal; If he is young, he has no experience; If he is old, he should retire. As long as he lives, there are always people who are better than him[2];…
I told to myself that these are litanies of negative attitudes and even judgments which our priests faced nowadays. If these things really happening at present, the credibility on priesthood succumbed in rubbish function. Credibility entails reliability, honesty and humble execution of actions, words and deeds. That is, a priest should practice what he preached. No one would believe if the priest himself doesn’t practice what he murmurs and tells in the pulpit.
“Knows what he is Doing; Imitates the mystery he Celebrates; Model his life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross”[3]
A credible priest has a clear vision of what he is doing. Anyone who has no directionality and focus will be in danger of astray and collapse. We cannot deny the fact that news headlines of international correspondence shows the searing effect of priests’ abuses among the young in their ministry. The Church’s authorities faced violent blows upon these issues that wane the credibility of priests and religious authorities in the Church. Credibility then is acquired in right doing and in line with truly Christian undertakings.
We have litanies of positive attitude towards our priest and there are also shadows that envelopes their credibility. Being credible to one ministry or task is also a life long process. But if this credibility is weak and founded in shaky foundation, that means there is something wrong with how one deals with reliable, honest and truthful mission.
Hi! My name is Karlista also:) I have never seen anyone named Karlista besides me! Is there a meaning behind our name?
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