Gays refute role as Catholics' 'scapegoat'

washtimes.com ^ | By Ellen Sorokin

[Jeff Chandler]

You have not addressed the fact that you are comparing apples and oranges, moral teaching with internal discipline.

[Jeff Chandler]

There are many good arguments to be made for the end of mandatory celibacy for priests (your obsession), but Peter has the final say in matters of Church discipline. That leaves you three choices:

1. Hope for a change of mind (or Popes).
2. Democratization of the Church (bring on contraception, abortion, gay marriage, etc.)
3. A breaking off of the American catholic church. (see #2)

I'm curious- which one do you hope for?

[sinkspur]

I'm curious- which one do you hope for?

Number 1, a change of mind.

But, if it doesn't change, it doesn't change.

Maybe we can encourage all the Anglicans to convert. That will bring more priests into the Church, but won't technically break the mandatory celibacy requirement for Catholic men desiring to enter the priesthood.

[Jeff Chandler]

If they're men like the married convert in the nearby parish it would be a very good thing.

[sinkspur]

If they're men like the married convert in the nearby parish it would be a very good thing.

We've got five in our diocese; one brought his entire parish over to the Catholic Church. They're ALL outstanding men.

They're not unlike the kind of men you would probably get if you allowed mature Catholic married men (some of the current married deacons, for instance) into the priesthood.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And wasn't Shanley one of the founders of NAMBLA as well?

[Jeff Chandler]

Perhaps, but the Church has more urgent problems. So many atrocities have been committed in the "Spirit of Vatican II" that radical changes of that sort at this time would be dangerously disruptive. If the American church were faithful to the Magisterium, maybe things would be different. I trust JPII's discernment in this matter. That doesn't mean I agree, I just defer to his judgement.