We have in the past voiced our opinions about the transfer of our bishops.
I
think transfer of priests do happen in several dioceses. By transfer of our
clergy, we are hoping to create an efficient and
well balanced system of administration in the Church, where the
faithful will benefit to the maximum, while the integrity of the
clergy is protected. That intention in itself is good.
The other day I was thinking about this, and I had a different take on the
subject, which I wish to share with my ICON friends; please bear with me.
The Holy Confession is a very much ignored Sacrament in the Church. In the book
recently published by MOC publications in English, "Basic Doctrines of the
Church" (translation of the valuable 'Mathopadesha Sarangal' by St. Dionysisus
-Vattaseril Thirumeni), translated by HG.Dr.Yakob Mar Irenaios Thirumeni, it
says about Holy Confession:"As far as possible the priest should try to know
their (people's) activities, and also their inner spiritual condition, and give
each of them the necessary counsel, and save them from their wrong ways"
The Church expects the priest to know the confessor intimately. The
relationship has to be of a spiritual father and a spiritual child. How can
this kind of relationship be fostered in a short time span of three years or
so? It takes many years and unique experiences in life for a spiritual child to
find an ordained spiritual father whom he or she is comfortable with and can
open out his or her heart to. It takes many years for a spiritual father to
get to know a person intimately, understanding his or her strengths and
weaknesses, so that he can plead the case before the Lord while appealing for
forgiveness, so as to 'save them from their wrong ways'. And once a spiritual
child finds a spiritual father in this manner, and a spiritual father finds a
spiritual child in this manner, that relationship cannot be easily
transplanted. A parish priest's transfer really hurts and kills this
relationship.
A couple of generations ago, we did not really have this problem as we seldom
moved. Now with a huge immigrant population, this is a real
issue before the Church. And transfer of priests seems to be a big
hurdle in the spiritual nourishment of the faithful.
The lack of focus on Holy Confession can be seen as a single biggest factor for
the wane of spirituality in the Holy Church. Today Holy Confession, if at all
practised is just a 'ritual' performed by the priest and the faithful. Thus we
have many who have not confessed in their lives, or do not think much about this
Sacrament. The result: little sins and guilt accumulate in the mind over the
years, vices are accepted as a way of life, the pricking of the conscience is
not that strong any more, the little voice of the Holy Spirit given during Holy
Baptism is not heard anymore, the heart is hardened (Exodus 9:12) - and we end
up creating a crooked and cunning generation, very successful in the world, but
paralysed in faith.
Should the administrative structure be fine tuned at the cost of the spiritual
well being of the Church? Doesn't the administrative setup exist only to
support the spiritual growth of the Church? Of what use is an efficient and
well-oiled administrative governance in the Church if it allows for the decay
of the faith in the Holy Church, the Body of Christ?
With these thoughts in mind, I vote strongly against any kind of transfer for
the clergy as a general rule. But considering the reality of the world we live
in, there must be allowances for deliberating on situations on a case by case
basis and taking decisions regarding transfers, and there must be authorities
vested in the diocesian bishops, Holy Synod, Managing Committee etc to allow
for this. But as a general rule, it must not be encouraged. I have heard many
voices lauding the practice in the Marthoma Church of strict transfers of
priests every three years, but now I do not think that is an ideal model to
adapt.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/16872
think transfer of priests do happen in several dioceses. By transfer of our
clergy, we are hoping to create an efficient and
well balanced system of administration in the Church, where the
faithful will benefit to the maximum, while the integrity of the
clergy is protected. That intention in itself is good.
The other day I was thinking about this, and I had a different take on the
subject, which I wish to share with my ICON friends; please bear with me.
The Holy Confession is a very much ignored Sacrament in the Church. In the book
recently published by MOC publications in English, "Basic Doctrines of the
Church" (translation of the valuable 'Mathopadesha Sarangal' by St. Dionysisus
-Vattaseril Thirumeni), translated by HG.Dr.Yakob Mar Irenaios Thirumeni, it
says about Holy Confession:"As far as possible the priest should try to know
their (people's) activities, and also their inner spiritual condition, and give
each of them the necessary counsel, and save them from their wrong ways"
The Church expects the priest to know the confessor intimately. The
relationship has to be of a spiritual father and a spiritual child. How can
this kind of relationship be fostered in a short time span of three years or
so? It takes many years and unique experiences in life for a spiritual child to
find an ordained spiritual father whom he or she is comfortable with and can
open out his or her heart to. It takes many years for a spiritual father to
get to know a person intimately, understanding his or her strengths and
weaknesses, so that he can plead the case before the Lord while appealing for
forgiveness, so as to 'save them from their wrong ways'. And once a spiritual
child finds a spiritual father in this manner, and a spiritual father finds a
spiritual child in this manner, that relationship cannot be easily
transplanted. A parish priest's transfer really hurts and kills this
relationship.
A couple of generations ago, we did not really have this problem as we seldom
moved. Now with a huge immigrant population, this is a real
issue before the Church. And transfer of priests seems to be a big
hurdle in the spiritual nourishment of the faithful.
The lack of focus on Holy Confession can be seen as a single biggest factor for
the wane of spirituality in the Holy Church. Today Holy Confession, if at all
practised is just a 'ritual' performed by the priest and the faithful. Thus we
have many who have not confessed in their lives, or do not think much about this
Sacrament. The result: little sins and guilt accumulate in the mind over the
years, vices are accepted as a way of life, the pricking of the conscience is
not that strong any more, the little voice of the Holy Spirit given during Holy
Baptism is not heard anymore, the heart is hardened (Exodus 9:12) - and we end
up creating a crooked and cunning generation, very successful in the world, but
paralysed in faith.
Should the administrative structure be fine tuned at the cost of the spiritual
well being of the Church? Doesn't the administrative setup exist only to
support the spiritual growth of the Church? Of what use is an efficient and
well-oiled administrative governance in the Church if it allows for the decay
of the faith in the Holy Church, the Body of Christ?
With these thoughts in mind, I vote strongly against any kind of transfer for
the clergy as a general rule. But considering the reality of the world we live
in, there must be allowances for deliberating on situations on a case by case
basis and taking decisions regarding transfers, and there must be authorities
vested in the diocesian bishops, Holy Synod, Managing Committee etc to allow
for this. But as a general rule, it must not be encouraged. I have heard many
voices lauding the practice in the Marthoma Church of strict transfers of
priests every three years, but now I do not think that is an ideal model to
adapt.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/16872
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