text: You are quite right. It is a 'clerical' way of putting it. But that's the expression that is used: 'Reduced'! That's why he whole system of dividing Christians into those who are 'clerics' and those who are 'mere laity' and non-cleric is so harmful.
  
  'Clerics' end up thinking they are special and privileged and 'above' 'mere laity'
  
  It is just long standing custom. It is not a necessity. There is no reason why those who hold offices in the Church - whether Deacon, Priest, Bishop, Cardinal, or Pope – cannot be part of 'the laity', just as they were in the beginning.
  
  If we really are serious about eliminating 'clericalism', the only way is to first eliminate the system of dividing the people of the Church into those who are 'clerics' and those who are 'not clerics'. All the offices could remain the same. They could be held by 'lay' people, not reserved for those who are 'clerics'.