"NORMS"
99
norant, the priest must bring to bear whatever competencies he has in order to provide data and insight for his people. And most of all, because he occupies a position of particular objective disinterest in many areas of ethical dispute, the priest must everywhere contribute that sense of perspective and firmness which is so badly needed. The priest is not called to be the commander of a rear-guard action in society, to be the last bastion of old customs which are dying before our eyes. But he is called to speak out strongly to those men and women who, because of their deep personal involvement in business, neighborhood, sexuality, race, nationalism, or whatever, stand on the brink of losing their own surest instincts and richest values. That is the priest's calling. Indeed, that is his particular privilege.