Aspects of Seeing Catholic Priests\u27 from the Perspective of Citizens of Croatia

U članku se prikazuju i komentiraju oni rezultati ankete »Vjera i moral u Hrvatskoj« (sprovedene 1997./8.) koji se tiču percepcije službe katoličkih svećenika iz perspektive hrvatskih građana. Rezultati pokazuju veliko povjerenje vjernika u svećenike i njihovo poslanje, ali su također vidljivi pomaci već prema tome koliko je intenzivan odnos ispitanika prema Crkvi i njezinim službenicima. Uočava se kritičko gledanje s obzirom na raskorak između onoga što svećenici naviještaju i kako žive kao i s obzirom na njihov odnos prema materijalnim dobrima. Ključno je pitanje njihove svećeničke vjerodostojnosti i autentičnosti: za neke ispitanike je to pitanje tijesno povezano s odnosom prema materijalnim dobrima. Klima za svećenička zvanja još je uvijek pozitivna, ali je ograničena uglavnom na tradicionalne i uglavnom ruralne sredine. Primjetan je također otvoreni stav ispitanika prema mogućnosti ženidbe svećenika i prema ređenju žena. Ta je otvorenost više prisutna kod onih koji su kao vjernici manje vezani uz Crkvu. Probija se također kritički stav prema vjeronauku i njegovoj povezanosti sa sakramentima. U svemu je vidljiva individualizacija i raslojavanje u Crkvi i društvu. U zaključku autori upozoravaju na pozitivne mogućnosti novih trendova i ističu potrebu empirijskih istraživanja radi boljeg i svrsishodnijeg planiranja pastoralnih djelatnosti u Crkvi.The article presents and comments on the results of the survey »Religion and Morality in Croatia« (implemented in 1997/98), especially the parts which are connected with priests\u27 service and priests\u27 image from the perspective of Croatian citizens. The results reveal a high level of confidence of believers in priests and their mission, but some variations are also visible according to how intensive the relation is between respondents and the Church and its officials. The study also reveals a critical attitude of respondents towards the discrepancy between what priests preach and how they live, and according to their relationship to material goods. A key question is the question of their credibility and authenticity: for some respondents this question is strongly connected to their attitude towards material goods. The climate for callings to the priesthood is still positive but limited to traditional and mostly rural milieu. Also noticeable is an openness of respondents to the possibility of priests being married, and to women being ordained as priests. This open attitude is more present in people who are less connected with the Church than believers. Also evident is the formation of a critical attitude towards catechism and its relation to the sacraments. In all this, individualisation and stratification within the Church and in society is noticeable. In conclusion, the authors note the positive potential of new trends, and emphasise the need for empirical research in order to better and more appropriately plan pastoral activities within the Church