Stored from a Facebook discussion
One of my favorite terms for "priest" comes from
the Latin. "Pontifex" means 'bridge-builder'. In a time when Pagans
work toward defining what priesthood consists of in our ways, I think this is a
valuable idea.
Neopagan culture often displays a gut objection to
'priesthood' based on the orthodox Christian default, in which the priest is
the 'mediator between God and man'. In parts of Christian tradition this has
allowed priests to develop social and spiritual authority that is often perceived
to be misused. Pagans often reject the idea of formal priesthood, some in
reaction directly to a Christian upbringing, and some from an upbringing in
Reformed Christianity in which formal, ritual priesthood has been replaced by
"ministry'. Even in such places, where formal hierarchy has been rejected,
the 'Pastor' or "Preacher' still has considerable social authority. Many
Pagans hope to avoid creating any such institutions in our time.
However I think there is a place - a job-description - for
skilled spiritual and ritual operatives who can help untrained and unpracticed
people remember their center, remake their connections with the spirits and
gain the blessings that improve our lives. Just like any other craft this
requires skill and practice and focus, to a degree that is difficult to achieve
while working full-time at more common work. To me that is a primary argument
for developing a way to allow some people to live as full-time Pagan priests.
Let's leave aside the economic and organizing hurdles along that path for now,
and focus on theology.
So the priest as pontifex; we build bridges, span the gap
between common awareness and spiritual attention. We are not 'mediators' but
'facilitators'. Most notably the ‘power’ of connection between mortals and the
spirits lies not in the priest herself, but in the lasting result of her work. Let
me labor at the metaphor a moment.
Religion is the work of re-linking (re-ligio) the island of
mortal existence with the mainland of the divine world. A 'mediator' builds
himself a boat and ferries the goods and words of the divine world to the
mortals, sometimes charging a fee. A facilitator - a Pontifex - builds a
bridge, opening the way for all who can make the walk. We might imagine
multiple 'private' bridges built by many builders.
The point, to me, is that there is work to be done and a
skilled builder of spiritual bridges is a useful artisan.
Nice idea. I always liked one of the Pope's titles, "Bridge-builder-in-chief." And of course, this was one of Julius Caesar's titles for a while.
ReplyDeleteThere's also Flamen, of course, and Hierophant; I don't know the origins of the Flamens as a college or group, or the meaning of the name, but a Hierophant comes from the Greek words that mean "to show the sacred", which I always liked.
But the idea of a bridge-builder is a good one. And creating a 'priesthood' where there's a duality of offices — bridge-builders as counselors on one side, sacredness-showers on the other as ritual operators... there's something potentially useful here.