[RobbyS]

In "Salt of the Earth," the then Cardinal Ratzinger talked about the mistaken perception that the priesthhod is a position of "power." The cliche that it is a ministry rather than power is no less true for being a cliche. Men like Loyola do not lust for power, are not proud prelates. IMHO, the liberal reformers are the ones who confuse spiritual and earthly powers. They would reduce the Church to a kind of polity, which is a thing of earth. They have not hestiated to impose their wills on the people they are suppose to serve, far more so than the most autocratic old priest of pre-Vatican II.

[InterestedQuestioner]

RobbyS,

That's a very nice reflection on the writings of then Cardinal Ratzinger. Was he, by any chance, discussing the male priesthood in reference to claims that it reserved a position of power for men? Seem to remember him saying that idea was outdated, and that those opposed to the all male priesthood were moving toward a position of abolishing the priesthood altogether, because it was indeed a position of in which the leader was reduced to servitude.

I'm told that priest's stole is a symbol of the oxen's yolk, indicating the burden that is born by the priest.