I often wonder the same thing, think about the sheer quantity of proven pedophile priests, then... - Edit 2
Before modification by Joel at 13/11/2010 11:13:40 PM
cry a little on the inside.
So, where does celibacy and not being allowed to marry fit into this? Poor pope.
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer". (I Tim. 4:1-4)
Paul speaking, but apparently whatever Vatican Council decreed priests can't marry trumps the Apostle to the Gentiles. Despite the fact there might not BE a Roman Church without him. Heck, even BISHOPS are only requried to be "the husband of only one wife" but apparently what was good enough for a Second Century bishop isn't good enough for a 21st Century rank and file priest. By excuding all homosexual AND heterosexual people with adult consenting partners from the priesthood they're reduced their pool of potential priests to:
1) Those SO dedicated to Christ they're willing to forego ever having a wife, children, sex or, really, any kind of life outside the Church, and
2) People whose lust for children has been routinely hidden from friends, family and coworkers all their lives, so that hiding it from yet another group (and continuing to indulge it) seems perfectly natural.
Many are called, but few are chosen, so it's pretty obvious which group will be the largest.
Also, the ham sandwich I had for dinner yesterday was quite tasty, and I don't think it will send me to Hell. I seem to remember reading somewhere that a man is defiled not by what goes into him but by what comes out of him, but that's a doctrinal matter (thus covered by Papal infallibility) and since the Pope disagrees with that view, the Person stating it was wrong, right?
This is why I'm a non-denominational Christian....
"The Church resists every form of denial of human life and gives its support to everything that would promote the natural order in the sphere of the institution of the family," the pope said in the Mass.
He also said "the indissoluble love of a man and a woman is the effective context of human life in its gestation, birth, growth, and natural end," in a clear criticism of gay marriage.
He also said "the indissoluble love of a man and a woman is the effective context of human life in its gestation, birth, growth, and natural end," in a clear criticism of gay marriage.
So, where does celibacy and not being allowed to marry fit into this? Poor pope.
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer". (I Tim. 4:1-4)
Paul speaking, but apparently whatever Vatican Council decreed priests can't marry trumps the Apostle to the Gentiles. Despite the fact there might not BE a Roman Church without him. Heck, even BISHOPS are only requried to be "the husband of only one wife" but apparently what was good enough for a Second Century bishop isn't good enough for a 21st Century rank and file priest. By excuding all homosexual AND heterosexual people with adult consenting partners from the priesthood they're reduced their pool of potential priests to:
1) Those SO dedicated to Christ they're willing to forego ever having a wife, children, sex or, really, any kind of life outside the Church, and
2) People whose lust for children has been routinely hidden from friends, family and coworkers all their lives, so that hiding it from yet another group (and continuing to indulge it) seems perfectly natural.
Many are called, but few are chosen, so it's pretty obvious which group will be the largest.
Also, the ham sandwich I had for dinner yesterday was quite tasty, and I don't think it will send me to Hell. I seem to remember reading somewhere that a man is defiled not by what goes into him but by what comes out of him, but that's a doctrinal matter (thus covered by Papal infallibility) and since the Pope disagrees with that view, the Person stating it was wrong, right?
This is why I'm a non-denominational Christian....