The older I get, the more I see the church's emphasis on "priesthood" to be not only overblown, but a serious error with devastating consequences.  The church needs people to do many of the functions served by the clergy, and to have those functions done.  

By focusing on the priesthood, a clerical caste in emerged in the church.  That caste-like system has a lot to do with the abuse scandal in the church, for it found the bishops judging that it was better for the church to protect priests and especially bishops, even if children were left to suffer.  Tha system has led to a rigidity wherein the church has been utterly unable to adapt to changes in how we view gays, women, even social justice...  It has led to the silencing of theologians who disagree with those in power.

Thus, the church finds itself not only out of step with society (not all that big a deal), but ever less relevant to and effective in the world.  I don't have an easy answer, but there is a lot of damage to undo.