[stanz]

That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in. That should be the Vatican's top priority, not how to make the church even less attractive to future parishioners.

[Petronski]

That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in.

The godless want the Church to do nothing else because of the scandals of a few. Sorry, but it's not going to happen.

[RosieCotton]

That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in. That should be the Vatican's top priority, not how to make the church even less attractive to future parishioners.

Bringing the Church back to her roots, cracking down on abuses (even small ones) is a good way to flush out the bad priests. It's a start.

I'll leave a more detailed response to someone else.

[wideawake]

That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in.

The scandals are part of a long-simmering neglect of important theological issues regarding sex and sexuality.

The same people who agitated for altar girls are the same people who agitate for the Church to "be welcoming" to homosexuality and the same people who introduced altar girls into the churches are the people who shifted pedophile priests from parish to parish.

As I said, it is all of a piece. When the priesthood and the sacraments are not taken seriously, traditional morality is not taken seriously either.

There is a parable about the servant who was faithful in small things.

[fml]

--That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in. --

The church is much more than the sex scandals - but you know that, you just don't care.

[narses]

That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in.

The solution to the sex scandals is a return to the orthodox faith given the Church by Our Lord. No one can claim that sex abuse is in any way consistant with orthodox Christianity, nor is the problem unique to, or even worse in Catholic clergy.

That should be the Vatican's top priority, not how to make the church even less attractive to future parishioners.

If you understood my point above, you'll understand how a more dogmatic and orthodox application of discipline within the Church will act to directly address the issue as well as the many other serious issues facing Christendom today.

[miss marmelstein]

Look, don't you understand that "clapping" and "altar girls" are part of the broken window theory of Christianity? By being lax on supposedly small things, like dancing in the aisle, singing "Feelings" and altar girls, you have opened the door to many more serious infractions?

That being said, I grew up knowing the White Sisters & Brothers of Africa - a wonderful missionary group that had a home in the little town I grew up in. Their masses in Africa allowed dancing, singing and, of course, the statuary (of which I still have several samples) were all black.

I believe the Vatican is talking about WESTERN cultures.

[TheCrusader]

"That all pales in comparison to the sex scandals that the church finds itself embroiled in. That should be the Vatican's top priority, not how to make the church even less attractive to future parishioners."

Typical response by a new-age "Catholic".

Just so you understand, stanz, the Church of Christ was never, ever meant to be 'attractive' in the context you desire it to be. On the contrary, Jesus told us to reject selfish desires and worldiness, and He said: "Take up your cross and follow me". Christ also said: "If they persecute me, they will persecute you also".

No, the "attractiveness" of the Catholic Church is not that we get what we want, or that we find creature comfort there, but that in our sufferings and joys, in the health of our youth and the infirmity of our old age we follow Christ to the Cross, and to eternal happiness in the next world. You new-age "Catholics" have forgotten the real message of Christianity. You seek to fullfil the desires of your pride and ego by finding "equality" in the Church, rather than in humble submission to lawful Church authority and in prayer.

May God speed the Pope's actions to bring back the truth.