Studying the Schisms Inside the Catholic Church

The results of a study were released recently that highlighted disagreements inside the world of Catholic clergy. It showed laity is more liberal than priests and that priests don't trust their Bishops. These disagreements reveal the reason the Pope is insisting on an on-going Synod. Disagreements need to either be resolved or papered over. 

Because of my career in economics, I cannot read about these differences and not wonder where self interest fits in. For example, if you were a priest, what would be your view of the laity? The programmed "correct" answer it you should see the laity as people you are to serve and please. But, how could any priest not forget what he himself sacrificed to be a priest. "I gave up a career and family to do this. What did you in the pews give up? Brunch at the Country Club? You owe me, not visa versa. And there is this other thing I worry about. What's going to become of me if there isn't enough money to keep this place going? I'm not qualified to do anything except this." These are not thoughts of a bad person. They are simple worries all of us have about our own well being.  

Those in the pews see the church in an entirely different perspective, "I give money to feed that priest. He should be saying what I want to hear or what do I get out of this deal. No birth control. Father, you feed the kids. You don't care, you have no kids. No abortions? Easy for you to say. If you wanted job security you should have gone into another profession. You chose this one yourself."

The relationships between priests and bishops must have the same conflicts of self interest. Bishops have toiled in the hum drum of priest life for years. They must feel they have paid more dues than priests and priests should be grateful to be in their parish. Inevitably, some priests will be better or work harder at raising money and bringing in members than others. Other priests, however, may be better at buttering up the Bishop and getting more money from him than the priests who brought it in. 

In my jobs, my employer, for the most part, was only involved in my life at work. After work, he/she was not in my life. The priest's boss, however, controls both the priest's salary but also, in many cases, housing. These arrangements differ from place to place but in all cases the Bishop more control over priests than most employee/employer relationships. That there is widespread distrust of Bishops by priests is not surprising. 

Seminaries in both the Catholic and Protestant branches are struggling, many have closed. A career in the religion industry is not as attractive as it once was.