Comments on: 63 Former Catholic Priests to Formally Endorse Marriage Equality in WA

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:33:33 +0000

John, that illustrates my point. Catholic laity are far more receptive to retired priests than to disgraced and defrocked priests. Bishops will use any prior bad acts to dismiss their opinions before the laity. For Catholics, it matters a great deal.

By: John Patrick

John Patrick — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:40:59 +0000

Rick, I don’t think the bishops take the statements of resigned priests or former priests (however they are described) very seriously. The question is whether ordinary Catholics take them seriously, and they might, depending on the individual priests and whether they have known them. Many priests, whether actively in ministry or not, disagree with bishops on a variety of issues. If their job is dependent on the bishop they tend to be publicly quiet.

By: Paul Douglas

Paul Douglas — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:20:56 +0000

This whole priesthood thing is pretty bizarre when you step back and look at it dispassionately.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:58:34 +0000

‘You are a priest forever in the line of Malchisadek’ In Catholic theology, there is no such thing as a ‘former’ priest. What is real status of these priests? Are they retired? Have they left the Church? (If so they are still priests). I’m curious because I think it makes a difference to how serious their message is considered by the bishops.

By: Gary (NJ)

Gary (NJ) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:40:20 +0000

I wish the clergy who support LGBT equality would speak up much more often and much more loudly instead of letting the haters grab the headlines and the microphones 95% of the time!