clericalism

Clericalism (from clergy ) describes the endeavor to give the clergy of a religion more influence in a state (as opposed to secularism ), or the endeavor to give the clergy within a religion more weight than the laity (as opposed to anti-clericalism ). In philosophy and political science , clericalism also stands for the rule of the clergy or the priests.

The term clericalism was coined in the disputes between state and church in the 19th century and since then, especially by liberals, socialists and circles that defend state authority, it has been referred to those forces who, in their opinion, have the instructions and dogmas of the (Catholic) official church in the political and social Wanted to implement space. During the Weimar Republic this happened in particular by exerting influence on the Center Party . Clerical and anti-clerical currents within the church can be found today in most of the large Christian churches with a cyclically changing preponderance.

The sociologist Franz-Xaver Kaufmann observes a new "thrust" in the use of the term clericalism by Pope Francis . He understands by clericalism "a critical attitude or attitude widespread in the clergy towards the laity within the church, not in relation to the church and other areas of social development."

Protestant anti-clericalism

Protestantism, through its doctrine of the “priesthood of all believers”, contained, if not an abolition of the official priesthood, then at least a spiritual egalitarianism . The associated “doctrine of the secular profession of the Christian” led to a “theological dignity of the 'secular'” and to a de-clericalization of reality.

Catholic anti-clericalism

The Roman Catholic Church is often accused of clericalism. Current statements by Pope Francis are :

“Clericalism, whether promoted by the priests themselves or by the laity, creates a division in the body of the Church that instigates and helps to keep many of the evils we lament today. To say no to abuse means to say emphatically no to any form of clericalism. "

- Pope Francis in his letter of August 20, 2018 "to the people of God"

"'Just no clericalism' and one more thing: This is a plague in the church."

- Pope Francis at a press conference on May 13, 2017

“I become (...) a staunch church opponent when I face a clerical. Clericalism should have nothing to do with Christianity. Paul, the first to speak to the Gentiles, to the followers of other religions, was the first to teach this. "

- Pope Francis in an interview published on December 31, 2013 with the agnostic Eugenio Scalfari

Pope Francis is referring to a certain kind of pride among clerics in his statements . This attitude of the clergy is revealed through the abuse of the authority given them by the Church. Two directions can be distinguished: the rule of the community due to egocentrism (on the part of the clergy) and the internal church exaggeration of the same by the laity.

literature

Klaus Unterburger : Clericalism. In: Staatslexikon , 8th edition, Vol. 3, Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 2019, ISBN 978-3-451-37513-2 , Sp. 868f.

Web links

Thomas Jansen: What is clericalism? In: kathisch.de . September 10, 2018 (interview with Rainer Bucher ).; accessed on September 10, 2018

Individual evidence

^ Franz-Xaver Kaufmann : Critique of Clericalism. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung July 1, 2019, p. 6.
^ Friedrich Wilhelm Graf : The Protestantism. Past and present (= CH Beck Knowledge). 3. Edition. Beck, Munich 2017, ISBN 978-3-406-70824-4 , p. 37
^ Letter from Pope Francis to the People of God , August 20, 2018, accessed on February 25, 2019.
^ Pilgrimage to Fatima: Press conference with the Holy Father on the flight back to Rome. In: vatican.va. May 13, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2018 .
↑ Quoted from: Eugenio Scalfari : Papa Francesco a Scalfari: so cambierò la Chiesa “Giovani senza lavoro, uno dei mali del mondo”. In: Repubblica.it . December 31, 2013, accessed on September 10, 2018 (Italian, “Capita anche a me, quando ho di fronte un clericale divento anticlericale di botto. Il clericalismo non dovrebbe aver niente a che vedere con il cristianesimo.” The translation to world. de is flawed at this point.).
↑ cf. What is clericalism? - An interview with Prof. Rainer Bucher from September 10, 2018. Accessed on September 29, 2019
↑ cf. Section "The Clericalism of the Laity" Clericalism: "As the amen in the Church" Retrieved 29 September 2019

[1] Franz-Xaver Kaufmann : Critique of Clericalism. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung July 1, 2019, p. 6.

[2] Friedrich Wilhelm Graf : The Protestantism. Past and present (= CH Beck Knowledge). 3. Edition. Beck, Munich 2017, ISBN 978-3-406-70824-4 , p. 37

[3] Letter from Pope Francis to the People of God , August 20, 2018, accessed on February 25, 2019.

[4] Pilgrimage to Fatima: Press conference with the Holy Father on the flight back to Rome. In: vatican.va. May 13, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2018 .

[5] Quoted from: Eugenio Scalfari : Papa Francesco a Scalfari: so cambierò la Chiesa “Giovani senza lavoro, uno dei mali del mondo”. In: Repubblica.it . December 31, 2013, accessed on September 10, 2018 (Italian, “Capita anche a me, quando ho di fronte un clericale divento anticlericale di botto. Il clericalismo non dovrebbe aver niente a che vedere con il cristianesimo.” The translation to world. de is flawed at this point.).

[6] . What is clericalism? - An interview with Prof. Rainer Bucher from September 10, 2018. Accessed on September 29, 2019

[7] . Section "The Clericalism of the Laity" Clericalism: "As the amen in the Church" Retrieved 29 September 2019