[Plumrodimus]

Do we divorce in record numbers? Do we use birth control ignoring the rules of our own Church? Do we use "general absolution" in place of confession? Have we taken down the statues, the Communnion Rails, moved the Altar so that the priest looks to the people instead of to God? Have we divorced women handing out the Consecrated Hosts without regards to the State of Grace of the Communicants? Do we stand and ask for the Host in our hand?

Yeah, as opposed to serial annullments? Your point?

What is the basis for considering closed confession a sacrament. So we don't use it.

I think there are more Catholics using birth control than you realize.

The last time I looked when taking communion at my church (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) we had communion rails. Our pastor handed out the wafers and most people still recieve theirs directly by mouth rather than placed in the hand. Do you still use a common wine cup? Many of ours do...

[narses]

My point was that many, many "catholics" act in the exact manner as do Lutherans. It wasn't meant as a "dig" at the Lutheran Church, but rather a somewhat subtle commentary on the "Lutherization" of the modern American Catholic Church.