And by the way..
All the nimrods who are praying for a new “liberal” pope, feck off.
Here’s the deal: You don’t go the ford dealership, buy a Ford, then complain it’s not a Pontiac. If you want to worship God, and you want to simultaneously be gay, Go to one of the churches that will accept you, there are a lot of them. Want married priests? go somewhere else. Want condom use? be a lutheran.
This is not a cafeteria plan. There are rules. Don’t like them? tough. Go where the rules suit you. I will not hear anything about “well, I love being a catholic but” Sorry. Being a catholic means following the rules of catholicism. I’m not officially a catholic anymore because I’ve remarried outside the church. So I can’t receive communion, etc. Those are the rules. I follow them. I don’t like them, but I caused that by my direct actions, just as the direct actions of many people cause them some trouble with the church. I’m not going to ask the Church to change it’s rules to accomodate my sins, and neither will you.
Update: Francis Poretto expounds, with his usual depth of analysis.
I have always wondered about those who could (or would not) get that idea into their thick skulls. If you don’t agree with the rules of the club, why are you still calling yourself a “member”? A lapsed Catholic, myself, I could no longer follow all the rules so politely excused myself, and left. Though I still have some concerns with the church (and with a number of organized religions as well). I respect them enough not to try and cheapen them with my presence.
On the other hand I might argue the point with you about priest marrying (some interesting church history there)in general, as I feel that is a valid topic. Where you might be “more correct” is chastising anyone who would take offence with an individual order, which requires celibacy of their members.
You won’t cheapen anything by your presence, Guy. Fact is, you’re probably the kind of guy that would be a benefit to the community. And the community might just benefit you, too.
As far as male priests, there’s no specific canon, and if you look at the history of the married priest in the church in the past, it’s magnificently bad. There are specific and excellent reasons why catholic priests shouldn’t be married.