When I began reading the novel, I anticipated reading about a holy, dignified, and likeable priest. However, I was surprised to read about a priest that was not entirely likeable, trustworthy, or religious.
As I read the novel I attempted to give the priest the benefit of the doubt. I kept thinking if I were on the run and was unable to practice my religious faith then I may not be so pious with my faith or positive about my view of the world. However, the more I read the more I questioned the priest's behavior.
I am a Catholic and have spent my life as an active member of my church. I am well aware that not all priests live particularly "holy" lives. I am not oblivious to the priest scandals or the ill behavior exhibited by many of these men. However, I am not naive enough to think that these scandals or ill-behavior are strictly associated with the priesthood. Unfortunately, in recent years the priest scandals are what the media exploits rather than scandals in other religious groups. So, maybe I am a bit sensitive to the characterizations of priests.
I was frustrated with the portrayal of Brigida in the novel. Her presence only furthered my assumption that the priest was not suited for his career choice. Not only did he have an illegitimate daughter (from an affair), but he also seemed annoyed by the townspeople asking for a service. I could not believe that he asked for money. I understand a little compensation would have helped him with his travels, but I thought he was a bit excessive. I assumed that if you were banned from participating in what you supposedly loved then money would be out of the question.
Although I was not fond of the priest, I was surprised that he was eventually killed. The lieutenant and the mestizo seemed completely oblivious of the priest, but the priest's luck finally caught up with him. I found it interesting that alive the priest was referred to as the "whiskey priest." A priest that should not be prayed for, looked up to, or even thought of kindly. However, as soon as the priest is killed the perceptions surrounding him immediately change. This change in attitude seems quite common in society, but it was interesting how quickly it occurred in the novel. It made me wonder how many other "holy" priests were once "whiskey priests" before they became martyrs.
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Not knowing anything about this book I thought it would be about a powerful priest but in the end it was the complete opposite. I guess I always assume priests have the "perfect" life but this text definitely gives me new insight. I sort of touched on in my posts how the priest sort had expecations of money and definitely began to feel he deserved things.
You areright that these scandals are not just within the Catholic religion. Look at the evangelist that are on the television making millions, not for the church but for themselves. They are associated with scandals all the time. Unfortunatley, the priest scandals that have been in the media in recent years have personally affected my life. The two local Kansas City priest were my parish priest. Two men that I looked up to and admired.Needless to say, I was devasted when the allegations hit the news. Even more so when it became known that many of the boys involved were in my class and my brothers. I must admit that this did make an impact on my faith. But as you stated, I too know that all priest are not bad and there are bad religious leaders in every religion.
I agree with you that scandal has no tie to a certain religion or position with in a church. I think people forget that religious leaders are still men, and all men sin. The greater dissapointment to me happens I when people uphold leaders in our churches to standards they cannot meet as mortal men, forgetting all their own sin as they throw darts at the leader.
And your comment about how quickly the perception of him changed upon his death, well, I disliked him so much I hadn't even recognized that his reputation did indeed increase.
I recognized how his reputation increased upon his death. The little boy at the beginning of the book with his mother and two sisters became angry with the Red Shirts and spit on the Lieutenant after the Father's execution. He was against religion at first but now the Father became a martyr and this changed the boys perception.
The world is a filled with flawed humans. Even our religious leaders. It should be of no surprise when any man or woman falls from "glory". We are all imperfect beings bound to mess up sooner or later. The only difference with religious leaders is that society expects them to be different from the rest of us yet their temptations are greater and harder to resist because they are expected to actually be God. Nobody is perfect.
The spotlight might be on the Catholic Church right now, but I have always believed that because we practice our religion through human beings (ministers or priests), we inevitably will deal with flawed individuals.
I did see some redeeming qualities in the whiskey priest. I wonder, if he had practiced in a land where his religion had not been outlawed, would he have reacted the same way?
We have come to believe that the people who are in a high standing like a priest are humans too. We tend to put them on a pedestal and when they fall, they fall hard. I can only imagine the pressures priests have to remain pure.
I think the thing to consider in this priest is his human side and the extreme situation he was facing. I am not defending his actions, but I think priests face a critical conflict as they deal with their own sin.
The priest was very flawed. The taking of the money also bothered me. Also the fact that the amount changed meant that there was some greed going on here. Exploitation also comes to mind. These people have not had a priest for three years and are desperate to have their children baptized. This is where it becomes uncomfortable when the church seems to be a business as well as a spiritual connection to Christ. I think we have to keep in mind that we never know the whole story, so we need to watch our judgments.
I was wondering why Greene, being a converted Catholic, showed the priest in such a poor way. I too found it disturbing how the priest was not trustworthy or religious. I am glad you pointed out that it is not only Catholic Priests who show such ill behavior. All religions have had their downfalls from leaders at one time or another.
I wonder why we ask people to be something impossible to start with. There is no such thing as perfection. I am not Christian and have no experience with the church, but I see priests and clergyman as leaders within their communities. As such, they are able to guide, educate and inspire but they are still just human and subject to the same difficulties we all are. I think it is the pursuit of a decent life that matters and priests probably struggle with that as much as anyone else.
It is odd to read about a Priest with so many flaws. It is certainly not what we are used to seeing in a Priest by any means, especially in the Catholic faith. The priest does have his flaws, but it has to be noted that he is one of the few priests left in the area who still have faith in the church and have not defected because of the laws.
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