Clericalism: What Is It and How Can We Treat It?

Abstract

Pope Francis has frequently spoken about the scourge of clericalism and its damaging effects on life in the Church. Clerical priests are those priests who demonstrate the following characteristics: aloof, unaccountable, entitled, arrogant, and authoritarian. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have openly recognized the intimate relationship of clericalism to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church. However, clericalism has yet to receive adequate qualitative social science research with clear directives on how the clinical community can serve the Church in treating clericalist priests. This article addresses the issue of clericalism both theologically and psychologically to provide direction for the clinical community to respond to clericalist priests and their need for healing.