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As an ex-protestant I can tell it doesnt work. the pastor at my church was hard to get a hold of when I needed him. Trying to balance shepharding your flock and raising 4 kids is hard by yourself. Also - as a Catholic priest you act as Christ and take the church as a bride.

As an ex-Catholic, I can tell you it does work. The Priest in my Parish was nearly impossible to get a hold of when we needed him. Try to balance the competing needs of over 1000 families is hard by yourself, even without a wife or kids. How about some empathy for my marital and child raising problems, Father? Oh, yeah. I forgot. Also- as a protestant minister you wouldn't dream of elevating yourself to the role of Christ. The protestant minister understands his biblical role of shepherd, teacher, exhorter, consoler. He encourages his flock to examine his teachings in the light of scripture because he realizes that any man or man-made institution is subject to error.

The protestant minister understands his biblical role of shepherd, teacher, exhorter, consoler. He encourages his flock to examine his teachings in the light of scripture because he realizes that any man or man-made institution is subject to error.

and Jesus wasnt a shepherd, teacher, exhorter, consoler? and you refer to the catholic church as "man made?" How so? I think the protestand church is more man made with its sola scriptura(which I am still trying to find in the Bible).

Also- as a protestant minister you wouldn't dream of elevating yourself to the role of Christ. The protestant minister understands his biblical role of shepherd, teacher, exhorter, consoler.

And unfortunately, as a protestant minister, he'll never know the sheer joy of being able to partake of Christ's own Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

You clearly were in a bad parish and probably in a bad diocese. But let me tell you--there's nothing better than living in a vibrant Catholic parish with excellent priests. Every Mass is reverent and beautiful. Every sermon is an education. Every feast day is a small glimpse of Heaven.