There has often not been a clear understanding of the distinction between the common priesthood derived from Baptism and the ministerial priesthood derived from Orders. The confusion continues to challenge an authentic appropriation of the Mystery of Priesthood within our Church. Popular portrayals have reinforced the image of priest as one of the guys while political correctness has demanded that he also be one of the girls in clamoring for the ordination of women. One need not look far to cite countless examples of a priesthood that has been bilked of its essential character and meaning. It is not uncommon to see a choice for social action over sacraments, relevance over mystery.
Prayer is out, politics are in.
The recent series Nothing Sacred and the heated debate around it illustrate a very different understanding of a priesthood in our time. In marked contrast stand great film and great literature. It ranked eighth in the One Hundred Movies Winner of the century. On the Waterfront is the story of racketeering on the New York harbor, of the longshoremen s union having been taken over by the mob, where good people have been silenced by violence and fear. One of its central characters is the parish priest.