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It's only the liberals with whom they refuse to be confrontational. The reason is obvious -- there's no point in confronting your allies with whom you agree.

I disagree with your conclusion. It doesn't necessarily follow that bishops agree with liberals. There could be many factors explaining an unwillingness to be "confrontational" with progressives compared to tradtionalists. The most obvious one to me is the whole "more Catholic than thou" attitude that traditionalists convey in their every utterance. It's a turn-off, and bishops being human, and bishops, might find this in your face, "your wrong",'"you're not doing it right" attitude extremely displeasing. Confrontation breeds confrontation.....you reap what you sow.

Contrast that with the progressive's methodology, in which reason, tact, and respect are employed. For instance, why not have altar girls? Wouldn't it increase the involvement of women in the church? Wouldn't it help to inculcate a truly Christian climate of inclusiveness and help to eliminate the patriarchal stigma the Church is criticized for having? Reasonable assertions, no?

One more example would be our own resident married clergy proponent. Though he is as adament in his position as are tradtionalists in theirs, I can't recall him villifying the pope or calling anyone a fool for disagreeing, or abandoning the church for one that agrees with him on that point. And though I have not observed any one being persuaded by his common sense arguments, in fact he is nearly unanimously opposed, he still enjoys the respect and comraderie of most everyone that engages him.

Style can account for a lot.

Menat to ping you to 77.

Your characterizations are ludicrous. The progressivists acted with "tact" and "respect" when they threw out the ancient Mass, together with the tabernacles, the altars, the communion rails, the Sacred Heart statues? This was a reign of terror, not tact. Traditionalists, on the other hand, have been "confrontational" when they have dared to show resistance? Yeah, sure. How tactless! How inconsiderate!

What unmitigated nonsense you post.

One more example would be our own resident married clergy proponent. Though he is as adament in his position as are tradtionalists in theirs, I can't recall him villifying the pope or calling anyone a fool for disagreeing, or abandoning the church for one that agrees with him on that point. And though I have not observed any one being persuaded by his common sense arguments, in fact he is nearly unanimously opposed, he still enjoys the respect and comraderie of most everyone that engages him.

That's about the nicest compliment ever paid me (I assume you're talking about me) on this forum.

I love the Catholic Caucus, and its members. Even ole Ultima Ratio and I agree on George W. Bush.

It's very Christ-like of everyone here to have disagreements, but to not abandon each other.