Wow.  A Franciscan has, with a simple request, made a hugely important point - about clericalism and about the abundance of gifts found in the non-ordained. And it is accomplished by simply asking that they be allowed to elect non-ordained brothers to positions of leadership, even when that may mean an ordained person is under the authority of a non-ordained person.

Perry said this was not "challenging spiritual authority or the role of the shepherd."  But I think it does.  Or maybe it removes the idea that only a priest can be a "shepherd" and he becomes....what... a minister of sacraments, a practitioner in bringing sacraments to  the faithful, but not necessarily a minister of souls.  Let the priest shortage keep going on and growing and he doesn't have time to really nurture the faith in thousands of people, especially in a secular society.  

No, we need teachers and guides.  Could we get rid of the "shepherd" metaphor since we don't herd and flock nearly as much as we used to?