Clerical Errors
How Clericalism Betrays the Gospel and How to Heal the Church
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Resource Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2022
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Publisher's Description
The Catholic church is in serious decline. This book claims that the corruption of the institution derives from various "clerical errors," especially clericalism, which assumes that clergy are superior and deserve privileges. Clericalism divides the church into two unequal classes, betraying the gospel, which teaches that all people are equal. Clerical privilege makes the sexual abuse of children more likely, and has led most bishops to conceal it. Clerical Errors begins by examining the trials and acquittal of Cardinal Pell. Was it the jury who made a grave error--or was it the cardinal? Other chapters look at worldwide sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy and traumatic impacts on survivors. What might have caused this tragedy? The institutional nature of the church? Defective Canon Law? Misuse of the sacrament of Confession? Compulsory celibacy? Homosexuality? The book's last, hopeful chapter proposes a radical but simple model for restoring the Christian church.
Endorsements (5)
“Clerical Errors is a brilliant example of speaking the truth in love at a very crucial moment for today’s Catholics. While honestly facing up to the issues confronting our Church, Peter Murnane, in the mold of Pope Francis, points us in the direction we need to take if we are to be authentic voices in today’s world.”
“As we journey together as a Church community towards much-needed institutional transformation, we need strong and hopeful voices like Peter Murnane to point out our deficiencies and to offer healing.”
“Murnane writes prophetically, asking grave questions about the destructive impact of clericalism on the core mission of Jesus as a servant Church, where all are invited, welcomed and flourish as a community of radical service and equality in our fractured world. Not without hope, and by the leverage of his own life choices, Murnane calls us to be part of that reform, believing we are at a crossroads where Christ’s message is at stake.”
“Murnane provides an insider’s lens on the damage wrought by the culture of clericalism. He makes a compelling case for reform of the Catholic Church, emphasizing the dysfunctional exercise of power and privilege.”
“A vivid and accurate explanation of the causal connection between clericalism (a deadly virus) and child sexual abuse (a deadly symptom). This work is unique because it exposes the systemic causes of clericalism with a depth and insight not provided by others. To truly comprehend clerical sex abuse this book is essential.”
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