text: monica--- Your Gospel references are too selective, perhaps.  If Jesus did indeed oppose "hierarchy in every form" how explain His explicit instruction to His followers that they obey all of the proscriptions of the Pharisees, but not to follow their example [of self-righteousness]?   Further, it is Church doctrine that the hierarchical constitution of the Church [la costitutzione gerarchica della Chiesa, as canon law puts it] is by divine will and constitutes divine law.  Certainly,  the exact mode by which this hierarchical structure is exercised is open to adaptation.  But the buck has to stop someplace, to over-simplify.  So I disagree that a hierarchical structure flies in the face of the Gospels;  or that it exists (again, open to adaptation) only because "[s]ometimes we do things because we've always done them a certain way".
  Still cherish every instance of your great sense of humor.  Brava, ed auguri!