Equality in the Church...

 Equality in the Church

Was always intrigued, if not agitated, by the inequality, glaringly expressed in the Church hierarchy in the context of the categorical stand of Jesus while dealing with request of the sons of Zebedee, James and John in Mk 10:35-45.

This was ignited again by an article of Kaleeswaram Raj, 'Practicing equality in constitutional courts' in 'The Hindu' today.

In spite of Jesus' calling the Twelve, he was an egalitarian all through. He who claimed to be 'the light of the world' (Jn 8:12), didn't hesitate to tell us that we too are 'the light of the world' (Mt 5:14).

Again he called us 'friends' and not servants (Jn 15:15).

He considered us as brothers when he taught us to call God along with him, 'Our Father...' (Mt 6:9).

The first of the Twelve, Peter considered himself as a 'fellow elder' (1Pet 5:1) among other elders.

The Orwellian notion that 'some are more equal than the others' might have been copied from the ecclesial hierarchy since the time of Constantine.

Over and above the laity - cleric divide, there is the hierarchy among the clerics themselves like the Monsignors and simple priests!

This 'unequal treatment of those who are otherwise equals' rebels against the stand of Jesus in Mk 10:35-45.

This could lead to a sharp division among clerics and create a clerical oligarchy, which in turn could deeply impact the idea of discipleship and holiness and would accelerate the possible commercialization of religiosity. 

Such hierarchy has no known objectivity and is inherently arbitrary and discriminatory.

It is widely felt that the top echelons often get impressed by persons in their own image in the matter of designation. This is termed as 'homo social morphing'. Thus a creamy layer was segregated based on parameters which are flawed...

And this unchristian hierarchy monopolises the system, without any legitimacy whatsoever and scandalizes Jesus who came 'not to be served but to serve'. Thanks.