Based on earlier discourse: Who is "the Church"? A thread.

I find myself and my fellow Catholics, speaking of "the Church." There are variants of this, not precisely the same, such as "the diocese" or "the parish."

What are these entities? If they are people, who are they?

More often than not, "the Church" (or "the diocese" or "the parish") means other people.

"The Church is so corrupt."

"Why doesn't the parish do something about X?"

I find that, as a priest, "the Church" to me often means the Holy See. "The parish" to me often means my parishioners.

And yet, to my parishioners, "the Church" often means the pope, the bishop, and me, their pastor. "The parish" often means me and the staff.

Their are exceptions. When a complaint against the pastor or staff is lodged, "the parish" may be become the unspecified multitude of people who agree with the complainant. But, just as quickly, "the parish" becomes the pastor and staff—those responsible for addressing the issue.

I am guilty of this, too. "The Church" (or "the diocese" or "the parish") becomes 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 than me when there's a problem.

Lord, convert your Church, convert my diocese, convert my parish—me most of all.