[sinkspur]

The priesthood is never going to be Bing Crosy in "Going My Way" again. The Church has to make the priesthood attractive to normal, heterosexual men or they won't consider it.

Yes, ridding the Church of active homosexuals is necessary, and that is more or less being done. But even celibate homosexuals with effeminate mannerisms give a normal het the creeps. And bishops are not going to kick a priest out of the priesthood just because he's light in the loafers.

Additionally, men don't want to commit themselves to a life that has been labeled a "gay profession" as far back as 20 years ago.

The Church will lose 12,000 priests over the next ten years due to death or retirement. With the numbers in the seminary today--even if all of them went on to ordination--we're 6,000 short.

Into that vacuum will march deacons and lay people to run parishes, administer programs, lead communion services, and perform every ministry short of hearing Confessions and celebrating Mass. I'm comfortable with that arrangement. Are you?

[sinkspur]

The Church will lose 12,000 priests over the next ten years due to death or retirement.

That should read "The Church in America will lose........."

[xsmommy]

i am afraid i differ with you with respect to your belief that normal heterosexual men won't enter a seminary if they are guaranteed not to be drummed out by the gay hierachy. The priesthood is a calling. God will not abandon His church.

[Dominick]

And bishops are not going to kick a priest out of the priesthood just because he's light in the loafers

Another issue is how are you going to weed them out? Do we disqualify men for being snappy dressers, watching the Oscars, liking show-tunes, or even being able to cook? There is no good "gay test".

The only thing to do is if they are caught in the act, to give them a boot.