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My concerns about this possibility occurring are rooted in my experience on another unrelated front, the decision by the American military to launch a "pre-emptive" war in Iraq. I opposed the entry of the United States Military into Iraq, breaking with some of my favorite Catholic thinkers and writers in America, because I concluded that the current Iraq war was not capable of being justified under any "Just War" analysis - and - that it was not supported by the Pope. Most within what has been called the politically "neo-conservative" wing of "theologically conservative" Catholics - with which this particular magazine is often associated – strongly supported this war. They did so quite openly and spilled much ink developing their apologetic.

What I found was that sincere Catholics - who really wanted to be considered "orthodox" – accepted their position as though it were the only legitimate Catholic position because it was found in Crisis Magazine (or in the other periodical associated with the pro-war position, the more intellectually oriented "First Things") and as if it was the only "orthodox" position – without actually thinking the issue through and examining it for themselves. I do not want to see that happen on this issue.

*Readers ought be alerted to the backdrop for this piece.

TCR is the website of Steven Hand. Mr. Hand has been egregiously ugly and defamatory in debates with orthodox Catholics over his, Mr. Hand's, personal opinions about the Justness of this war. Hand is against it and makes innumerable unsupportable claims his personal opinion is the Pope's official position. He has alienated many with his crazy and angry assertions and several have, publicly, repudiated and severed all contact with him until he apologizes.

In addition, Mr. Hand has long advocated a married priesthood.

That said, IMO, all inertia is in the direction of maintaining The Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy which just happens to be an invaluable text written by FR. Christian Cochini