Church Quote by Santa Teresa de Jesús
““I cannot think why we should be astonished at all the evils which exist in the Church, when those who ought to be models on which all may pattern their virtues are annulling the work wrought in the religious Orders by the spirit of the saints of old.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Interior Castle, Teresa of Ávila, 1577
She laments that the Church’s leaders, meant to be moral exemplars, undermine the holy work of earlier saints.
In simple terms: Leaders failing to live up to their ideals damage the institution.
Key Takeaway
Demand integrity from those in authority.
Themes
morality
leadership
religion
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
critical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- church governance
- personal spiritual practice
- educational reform
- community leadership
Key Concepts
hypocrisy
institutional decay
spiritual legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions safeguard against moral failure?
- What role do individuals play in upholding spiritual standards?
A Different Perspective
Even virtuous individuals can be corrupted by power and complacency.
![“It seems to me, and I am personally convinced, that the Church must never speak from a position of strength. [These are shocking words.] It ought not to be one of the forces influencing this or that state. The Church ought to be, if you will, just as powerless as God himself, which does not coerce…” quote by Anthony of Sourozh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef9/anthony-of-sourozh-50914_characteristics_it-seems-to-me-and-i-am-personally-convi_1558955.jpg)
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
