[johnb2004]

Are you ordained as a priest?

I do agree with much of what you write. I do like JPII and believe he has many gifts and a brilliant mind. BUT, the way he runs the church is open to criticism. I have argued here many times that by not excommunicating and using discipline his ways may endanger souls. Every time I get the same story. He can't act to forcefully because of schism, or scandal, or whatever. Just wait and things are changing. If I live to be 98 I will still be hearing the same song.

[ultima ratio]

No, I was in the seminary back in the late 80s and quit in disgust. It turned out to have been one of the least spiritual experiences of my life. I'm now married with a family. I agree that the excuses, as you say, are nonsense. People find it difficult to understand why the Pope doesn't act, so they ascribe to him all sorts of benign reasons for his do-nothing attitude. But look at how he handled the priest sex abuse crisis. He made a perfunctory speech and then invited the cardinals to lunch--a public relations exercise after decades of corruption. No anger over ineptitude, no firing of anybody, no expression of compassion for the young victims. It was business as usual. That was disgraceful but typical. Some say it must be because he's old and sick. But he reacted forcefully just before the Iraq war and took issue with Bush on it. He moved on the geopolitical front very swiftly, accepting strategic visits from foreign ministers and making known his displeasure in speeches widely publicized. There was plenty of fight left in him for something like that.