A democratic Church??
It is unheard of in the west today to speak badly of democracy as a form of governance and to speak well of a more dictatorial style. What many Catholics tend to forget is that the Catholic Church is not a ‘democracy’. It never claimed to be a democracy. Pope Benedict is fond of pointing out that the Church is that of God, not man. And so the opinions of millions of ‘Catholics’ can not be allowed to steer the Church away from the will of God. That is its reason for being.
If it were to become a democratic institution then it would be a society of believers rather than a Church of God. So then 
how is the Church to know the will of God at any particular time. It is felt that as the Bible is so much more than a literary work but a collection of Holy Scriptures then the interpretation of such scriptures can lead to a greater knowledge as to the will of God. This is the task of the ‘Biblical Commission’ in the Vatican yet it is not a job reserved for the few but something encouraged for all. Read…and know God. The Church strives to search for the ‘truth’ above all else.
For a change to be made in the Church the Pope must be absolutely certain that it is God’s will and not just the leaning of modern society. The accepted in society changes from one generation to the next. It moves forward, backward and side to side…depending on your point of view at the time. The Church on the other hand is rock…an island in the ocean of this world which promises salvation for all. God knows all and so tends not to change his mind too much. Therefore the Church must always be seen to move forward…closer to the will of God. This means that change takes time because if it’s rushed then such changes become simply the views of a generation.
Today the Church stands out from society…opposing much of the accepted by society. It stands for ‘truth’ not what is popular opinion. The Church is a dictatorship…..and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thursday, July 12th, 2007 and is filed under Rome.
You can leave a comment.
Dr Dhuglas Jarvie Says:
I totally agree that church is not to be a democracy but a theocracy ask Aaron the follies of democracy! Bishop Dr D.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Mariathasan Santhiapillai Says:
1. Democracy is the only way to eradicate abuse of power, abuse of trust, sexual abuses within the church, which is destroying the moral fabric of our society and making the people to leave the church and God altogether. Only through democracy we will be able to remove abusers holding powers and authorities. People who hold power will be scared to do any abuses, unrighteous, wicked things to people because, if they do that they will be removed through democratic process. This is the only way we will be able to prevent false prophets and antichrist holding any power and authorities. Tell me, suggest me, guide me is there any better way to do this.
June 8th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
L. Maher Says:
Mariathasan,
We’ve seen problems with immoral clerics in other denominations that have the democratic structures you seem to prefer.
It seems to this Catholic that “democratic” denominations that remake God’s law by plebiscite (usually through parliamentary maneuvering) are more likely to weaken the moral fabric of society than one that holds fast to the deposit of faith and calls people back to the natural law.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Ronan Says:
Mariathasan,
The central question here is do we recognise the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our Church. Such abuses as you mentioned occurred in times when the Church moved away from a standpoint of Love…when it moved from the guidance of the Spirit.
Those who hold power in the Church should be men and women of God and so should not be, as you described, always looking for opportunities to sin. As long as the Spirit holds sway in the Church it is that of God. If that ends…then God help us.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:05 pm