Help (not) wanted who's on the parish payroll?

The era following Vatican II has been dubbed "the age of the laity," but in some respects, this phrase has become a misnomer. The last few decades have witnessed the creation of a new (albeit unofficial) class in the hierarchy, one which hovers between the ordained ministry and the laity, but which often seems accountable to neither.

The Council called for increased lay participation in the life of the Church. On a parish level this can include assisting with liturgy, administration, catechetical programs and so forth.

However, many parishes have seen a virtual monopolization of these functions by paid 'experts,' be they lay people, freelance religious, or former priests and nuns. They are usually university-educated and/or have attended numerous workshops, conferences, and formation programs. Once on the Church payroll, they are vested with considerable power, trust and influence--whether for good or ill is debatable.

I'm far from objecting to lay formation and Ph.Ds. However, when it comes to serving the Church, what ought to matter is not how many letters are behind my name, or how many workshops I've attended, but rather my love for Christ and fidelity to His teachings (presupposing a knowledge thereof). Any dedicated lay person is capable of assisting with education programs and other parish functions. This is indeed the calling and responsibility of every baptised person in the Church. To suggest otherwise betrays the sort of condescension that Vatican II sought to eliminate.

However, a new elitism has crept into the Church--and in some parishes it's being exercised with a vengeance, for it's often wielded against our faithful clergy. I can only imagine how a priest must feel when he's confronted (or overruled) by parish-paid religious sisters or lay people who presume to know better than he, just because they have theology degrees or formation programs to their credit.

Non-clerical church employees are not the problem here (it's a nice luxury when a parish or diocese can afford them). But problems can and do arise when these employees are unwilling to cooperate with the clergy, or when their "vision" of the Church is at odds with that of the Holy Father. While Sr. Jane, or Mrs. Doe, or ex-Fr Smith are certainly entitled to hold opinions, I do not believe they're entitled to a position of power, pay, and authority in a parish or diocese when those opinions flout Church teaching.

Quite often, when the ordinary faithful exercise their baptismal duty by challenging these parish workers, they're met with arrogance or dismissal. The 'professionals' quote this theologian, that workshop leader, or (as a convenient last resort) they invoke the ever-nebulous "spirit of Vatican II" to support their unorthodox views. Those who counter with references to papal writings or the Catechism of the Catholic Church are ridiculed as "pre-Vatican II" conservatives who need to "claim an adult faith" (which is a capricious way of saying you may disobey the Church).

It's extraordinary that those who reject the Pope's authority seem to claim infallibility for themselves and their favourite theologians. The "age of the laity" has mutated into the "age of the politically-correct Church employee." It's wreaking havoc within the Church, to say nothing of distracting us from our true mission: the evangelization and salvation of souls.

We are all members of the universal Catholic Church: those of us who love her are dedicated to promoting her growth and extending her salvation to the world. We can't afford to continue employing people who scoff at the Holy Father, we can't continue to endure in-fighting and dissent within our parish liturgies and programs. If you find yourself in a troubled parish where disunity seems to be the order of the day, don't just sit there and grumble. Pray for your parish, your priest, and the entire Church. Run for parish council; speak out; write to your bishop.

Do everything in a spirit of humility and charity, but don't sit idle and silent. Our Church's future and her mission depend upon your fidelity and your willingness to act. (+)

Editor's note: Portions of this column appeared previously in another publication as a Letter to the Editor. But this was done without the author's knowledge or consent.

Mariette Ulrich is the mother of six girls and writes from Scott, SK. Her column appears every other month.