Faithful Laity, More Priests

In the Catholic tradition, the word “hierarchy” derives from the Greek root word hierarkhes or “sacred ruler.” It suggests a kind of pyramid of Church teaching authority and pastoral leadership, with clergy at the top. The image is misleading. At their best, and working as intended, ordained leadership and authority—both of which are grounded in Scripture — function as a service to the people of God, not as a holiness elite or higher clergy caste. As Benedict XVI stressed many times, laypeople are not, and were never intended to be, “second-class citizens” in the Church. They’re fully co-responsible for her evangelical mission. And the text of the email above captures vividly what that means in action.