Well, the priest was wrong about that. But, it doesn't surprise me that a priest might say that, back then.
My mother and dad went through a rough patch and went to a priest for counseling, back in 1959.
When, during the course of the conversation, my dad told him he was a convert, the priest (a young priest, by the way) turned to my mother and said "See, that's what you get for marrying a convert."
My dad never darkened the door of a Catholic Church again.
I know priests and even deacons can be jerks, but, back then, it seems that a great many more were than now.
This moving around of priests to HIDE the abuse is wrong. Was wrong. Is still happening. It's a disgrace. It's ruined lives.
I miss the church. I miss the music. But I can't go back either.
=== I know priests and even deacons can be jerks
Even deacons?!?!!?
Say it ain't so!
My in-laws tell a story of many years ago, where the local catholic church would post how much each family gave the week before. These were very poor people in a mining town in PA. How embarassing that must have been!