Someone responded to an online message of mine as follows: “Why should there be so much compartmentalization between the clergy and the laity? We are all sailing in the same boat, aren't we?”
As he has rightly observed, there exists a compartmentalization between clergy and laity. Clergy are the ones who teach, and the laity are the ones who learn. Clergy are the ones who know and laity are the ones who don’t. The laity are expected to keep their wallets open, but keep their mouths closed, but the clergy are expected to keep their mouths open, but keep their wallets closed. This is like a class/caste difference in our community. As long as the compartmentalization exists, the clergy and laity will point fingers at each other.
The ideal situation would be when the clergy become leaders and role models. If the clergy have the willingness to learn, the laity will follow their example and learn. If the clergy open their wallets, the laity will also open their wallets, following their example.
No compartmentalization exists in an online forum because it is not a part of the church. It is not initiated or sponsored by the church. That is why an online forum has a set up that is different from the one we see in our parishes and in our church-related meetings and programs. An online forum provides the opportunity to the laity (including women as opposed to what prevails in our parish assemblies) to express their thoughts and feelings freely and openly. But such a freedom does not exist even for the male laity within our church.
We did not create this compartmentalization; we inherited it. Both the clergy and the laity are the slaves of this rotten and destructive set up. This is a bad thing we have inherited from our ancestors along with the many good things. This compartmentalization will not disappear just by ignoring it or by pretending that it does not exist.
The only way to overcome this compartmentalization is for the clergy to come down to the level of the laity, willing to learn along with them from God. Instead of saying, “Let me teach you” the clergy have to say, “Let us learn together”. I really admire the good will of the few clergy members for coming down to the level of the laity and participating in open discussions in the online forums.
Such honest exchanges of views between the laity and clergy will bring about a dramatic difference in our church. We will see people respect, admire, and love the clergy. The number of people leaving our church will drastically diminish. The “sheep” will also start listening to the shepherds in larger numbers.
As someone commented in a message, “only a handful of people listen to the voice of the shepherds.” Why? The truth is that the sheep are always looking for good shepherds. Unfortunately, they are often cheated by wolves in shepherds’ clothing. This situation makes them suspicious of all shepherds. They don’t know who is real and who is in disguise.
All the members of the clergy, together, have to make a conscious effort to regain the lost respect, trust, and love of the people. They have to take the initiative to bridge the gap between the clergy and laity by coming down to the level of the laity. Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Lk. 14:11. If the clergy are humbled, the reason is that they exalt themselves. If they are willing to humble themselves, they will be exalted both by God and by the laity.
Once when I was traveling in a bus in India, I noticed a priest coming in. There was no vacant seat, and a man older than the priest got up and requested him to take the seat. Immediately, the priest accepted the offer and took the seat.
It was the good will of the man to get up and offer his seat to the priest. But the priest could have gained the respect and love of all the people in the bus if he had declined the offer. By choosing a temporary comfort, he missed something that is lasting and more valuable.
The one person who has influenced me next to my own father is Metropolitan Paulos Mar Gregorios. He became a hero to me when I was a child, and he still remains one to me. Why do I exalt him? Not because he was a bishop, but because he was very human in spite of being a bishop. He remained a learner till the very end. He always spoke his mind honestly.
I believe most of the people in our community need people who they can look up to. Can our clergy accept that challenge?
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