[topcat54]

What I said was that lay Catholics excuse their own smoking and drinking based on the priests participation of it. At the very least, they are setting a bad example.

Why? What’s to excuse? If they are truly adiaphora how can participation (not abuse) of the thing be a “bad example?”

There are ministerial officers in my church and in my denomination that enjoy both alcohol and tobacco in various forms. I do myself. None of us have ever been convicted of setting a “bad example.” In fact, we have enough trouble trying to obey the real ones given in the Ten Commandments without trying to avoid faux “sin.”

Do you personally have a problem with abuse in this area? Perhaps you’re just projecting.

[metmom]

What the priest does in moderation, the lay person does in excess.

It’s the excess the people were justifying in themselves.

And it WAS excess. It’s not hard to recognize a smashed person when you see one.

[Cronos]

metmom; What I said was that lay Catholics excuse their own smoking and drinking based on the priests participation of it. At the very least, they are setting a bad example.

Any proof for either statement? And do you think that smoking or drinking in moderation are wrong?