By Barbara J. Farrah, Crisis Magazine - By 2020, Pope Francis was accusing priests focused on the sacraments as being “rigid” and accusing them of “clericalism,” while declaring that the “hour of the laity” has arrived. He decried “a new clericalism, which may even at times be ably veiled behind appeals for deeper spirituality or for more orthodox theological positions.” He called for priests to empower the laity for “greater access to positions in the Church.”.. Thus, we have arrived at the current crisis in the Church, as bishops across the country have “canceled” those priests who continue to focus on the Church’s true mission ...