Benedict XVI, Priests, and Talking Sense Anyway

Noted:

• "Priests must not use vocation as social stepping stone, cautions Benedict XVI :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)"
  The Black Biretta (July 9, 2010)

Padre Giovanni Trigilio's post, in The Black Biretta, displays a CNA article with key parts emphasized in red.

My first reaction was that this is an example of the Catholic Church being literally universal - it's hard to imagine an American seeing the Catholic priesthood as a "social stepping stone." not of the 'upwardly mobile' sort, anyway.

On the other hand, there's this bit:

"...He noted that if a priest's main goal is to 'achieve success,' he will say 'what people want to hear' and 'adapt to changing fashions and opinions.'

" 'In this way, he will deprive himself of the vital relationship with truth, reducing himself to condemning tomorrow what he praises today,' Benedict XVI warned...."
(CNA, via The Black Biretta)

Okay: that I can see as applicable to American society.

"Peer pressure" is something I generally associate with children and teens: but the fact is, we all deal with it. There's this urge to fit in, be accepted, at least not be ridiculed.

With so many highly-respected people spouting philosophies worthy of Macbeth's advisers, saying that foul isn't fair simply isn't socially acceptable in some circles.

But, the way I see it, Catholics - priests included - are supposed to talk sense: even if nonsense is all the rage.

Somewhat-related posts:

• "Foreign Priests, 'Plunder,' 'Retail,' and a Valid Point"
  (February 26, 2010)
• "Clerical Narcissism - Something You Aren't Likely to See in the Washington Post"
  (February 4, 2010)
• "Kennedys, Catholicism, and Abortion: So That's What Happened"
  (August 26, 2009)