How is your local church doing?

[Victor]

There are similar cases here, that some priests drive expensive cars, but not all of them are like that.

Here is a photo of our former Patriarch, riding in a tram, in public transport, with ordinary people.
He lived a very modest life.

He was very loved among Serbian people. Rest in peace dear father Pavle.

Most of priests normally need cars as they have big families, I dunno how it goes in Serbia, but here it's a shame for parochians if the priest drives a junk car. It's often a case when some of richer parochians buy new car and gives his previous one as a present to a priest. I'm not talking about posh cars, but quality ones which can fulfill needs of the priest's family and church needs. Ordinary priests of some random church here are busy whole day, liturgies, baptismals, visits of the ill ones, those who need confession and Eucharist nearby to death, it would be shame if the priest will be late. Normally, priests are the same people as we are who have a special blessing from the Lord to give us something no one more can give, the Divine sacraments. I'm normally barely interested in human flaws of random priests, just like I'm not interested in flaws of random doctor (especially if he's a good specialist). Priests have a hard mission and for everything they've done and didnt do they will respond to the Lord, I'd better pray for them. Everything else is just ordinary human envy, because someone being more or less rich than me does not make me "warmer or colder" if I'm not envious. Envy condition makes people itch and boil and they turn it in some false excused feeling of justice seeking, not even caring they're condemning not just exact person but everyone of this kind (priests, doctors, politicians etc).

[Dušan]

Most of priests normally need cars as they have big families, I dunno how it goes in Serbia, but here it's a shame for parochians if the priest drives a junk car. It's often a case when some of richer parochians buy new car and gives his previous one as a present to a priest. I'm not talking about posh cars, but quality ones which can fulfill needs of the priest's family and church needs. Ordinary priests of some random church here are busy whole day, liturgies, baptismals, visits of the ill ones, those who need confession and Eucharist nearby to death, it would be shame if the priest will be late. Normally, priests are the same people as we are who have a special blessing from the Lord to give us something no one more can give, the Divine sacraments. I'm normally barely interested in human flaws of random priests, just like I'm not interested in flaws of random doctor (especially if he's a good specialist). Priests have a hard mission and for everything they've done and didnt do they will respond to the Lord, I'd better pray for them. Everything else is just ordinary human envy, because someone being more or less rich than me does not make me "warmer or colder" if I'm not envious. Envy condition makes people itch and boil and they turn it in some false excused feeling of justice seeking, not even caring they're condemning not just exact person but everyone of this kind (priests, doctors, politicians etc).

I am not talking against priests here, just noted that our former Patriarch lived very modest.

And he was very loved in our nation.

[Victor]

I am not talking against priests here, just noted that our former Patriarch lived very modest.

And he was very loved in our nation.

Sure, i know. Good for him, I just state we cannot demand way of life of black monks from white monks. Because I see Patriarch Pavle as "an example to every priest" (which is irrelevant example of a monk to a priest) very often from those people who condemn priests non stop, here in Russia, too.

[Cybele]

According to data from 2021, the Church (Christian Orthodox) is one of the most trusted institutions in Romania (2nd place).
However, under the current Patriarch it become more like a secular institution, focused on material/financial issues. As it was mentioned, the Patriarch Daniel, had a nickname in his professional circle, "The Great White". Recorder, a media platform created by investigative journalists, released a documentary about him and his "gang" last year. It gathered around 3.6 million views. Other incidents with more or less media coverage, related to different priests/monks, followed. So, this has an impact on the public's opinion. But, as we know, things from media, should also be taken with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, there are clerics with a sense of duty but they are usually don't seek the spotlight. They focus more on the small communities that they parish.
So, to answer to the last question, is difficult to give an accurate prognosis of the future. I reckon that, while the trust in the Church as an institution and in certain clerics, can decrease over the time, there still will be people with faith in God.

[Cybele]

Because of this I've been considered myself an atheist for a long time. Recently I changed my mind but I started exploring other ideologies.

Off topic, but which religion or ideology/philosophy would you embrace?

[Seya]

Off topic, but which religion or ideology/philosophy would you embrace?

I'm still in the search for an answer. What I know for sure is that I'm deeply disgusted by our church, by their political implications and all. It has become just a business and a political tool. But I guess it has always been this way. Even in communism period most of the priest were actually infiltrated by the national security with the purpose of collection information from people. We know how communists were against all forms of religion, they killed or arrested a lot of honest priests. The ones left on duty were just sellouts. Such regime wont tolerate the church without any benefits from it.
Anyway, apart from the priests, I kid you not, one of the worst individuals I have ever come across are the ones that often go to church or screams loud and proud how much better they are than everyone else for believing in God. It must be something wrong with this ideology if creates such disgusting people. But it can also go the other way around..in the sense that this people know if they stick to themselves the label of someone religious, they can get away with a lot of sh.t. "Ohhh..he did that but he's every Sunday at the church!"... I'll keep looking for a religion that makes sense to me. You need to look also at what kind of individuals that religion shapes. If an ideology creates chaos or hate, it's probably the wrong one to follow. I truly believe that.

[Cybele]

Even in communism period most of the priest were actually infiltrated by the national security with the purpose of collection information from people. We know how communists were against all forms of religion, they killed or arrested a lot of honest priests. The ones left on duty were just sellouts. Such regime wont tolerate the church without any benefits from it.

Indeed. Many priests became snitches during Communism, but there were also those who did not collaborate with the security agencies. Plenty were put under surveillance, arrested, imprisoned, killed, etc. I believe it was their test, to exhibit their true character. If anything it shows again that humans are corruptible. Perhaps the problem is inherent. In the sense that you can take an idea and twist it over the time and end up with something else. Almost anything can degenerate.
The State can be interested to have a good grip on the Church. For example, if the Church benefits from the trust of the population, it can have an influence and power over society. It can have a say on certain decisions and can address to a large mass of citizens. This attracts power hungry individuals, like the ring from LOTR.
So why not infiltrate the top hierarchy with people who stick to your agenda, take advantage of the corruption of the others, and in this way steer the boat in which direction you like.

Anyway, apart from the priests, I kid you not, one of the worst individuals I have ever come across are the ones that often go to church or screams loud and proud how much better they are than everyone else for believing in God. It must be something wrong with this ideology if creates such disgusting people. But it can also go the other way around..in the sense that this people know if they stick to themselves the label of someone religious, they can get away with a lot of sh.t. "Ohhh..he did that but he's every Sunday at the church!"... .

Nature versus nurture. Perhaps the ideology created them, or they've always been like this. Maybe is in their nature to act "holier than thou" and be dual.

I'll keep looking for a religion that makes sense to me. You need to look also at what kind of individuals that religion shapes. If an ideology creates chaos or hate, it's probably the wrong one to follow. I truly believe that.

Fair enough! Thanks for the answer!