Archbishop Dolan to address massive exodus from Catholic Church

Only a third? All of my atheist friends started out Catholic. As for the sanctity of celibacy............ celibacy is as virtuous as constipation, and seems to lead many of its adherents down a pretty dark sexual path.

Sanctimonious rants notwithstanding, the Catholic Church is the author of its own perilous state - and not just because of its shameful handling of widespread and endemic abuse within its cloistered walls, for the sexual abuse of children has, for centuries, been largely regarded and accepted as an entitlement for the sacrifices made by the, otherwise celibate, clergy on behalf of their flock. The Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Dr. Nichols, virtually admitted as much last year. But this was only symptomatic of a church drunk with its own sense of self-importance and unchallenged power, a collossal arrogance that knew no bounds. This is not to say that there weren't good and decent priests, and even a few good and decent popes (my favorite is Pope John XXIII)who said in 1960 when caling for the Second Vatican Council, "We must open our doors and windows and let the people see in - and the church see out." Pope John XXIII knew that his church was completely out of touch with the people and tried to bring it, kicking and screaming, into the 20th century. Mostly, he failed because the cardinals and bishops were in no mood for real change, none more so than the Irish heirarchy. Archbishop of Dublin, John McQuaid, "co-author of the Irish Constitution of 1937," could happily report to the faithful on his return from Rome that the council was much ado about nothing.

The false unjustified arrogance of many Catholic Bishops has encouraged many devout people to leave their religion. Sex-abuse by Priests is much more widespread and will continue to be exposed despite the efforts of many well-meaning Bishops. The media is no longer interested in protecting those involved so the trend of the Catholic Church is downwards. As one who has many Catholic relatives I can assure those trying to submerge the abuse, that it will not cease to be made public.

These Caths go through the motions (Baptism, first Communion, Confirmation..) without ever taking the time to participate in the many opportunities for instruction, out-reach, and fellowship-building offered, though NEVER required or imposed, as is the case in many of the prot communities.---In consequece, these ex-Catholics think that faith is transmitted mainly by osmosis; that Mass is a boring routine without meaning, and they are ultimately searching for a place whose philosophy mirrors their own, for entertainment, not worship, that is until they are challenged, forcibly fed and finally submit to the teachings of a dedicated prot crew member. ---- No surprise then that they are easily deceived, either by heterodoxy, by the enticement of eager and well trained, though theologically-deficient,'missionaries' from any of the 30K or so sects now competing for attention; by the flamboyant and raucous style of televangelists, and by the 'conveniences' prot sects offer. Some of the 'mega-churches' (which end up with the lion's share of ex-Catholics) offer, along with a heavy dose of rabidly anti-Catholic sermons: day-care, financial counseling and even Starbucks outlets in their premises! I mean a sedate service plus coffee and donuts, if that much after Mass for those to whom TRUTH is only an option... I mean...who can compete!

People, weep not for the wayward! If there is actually "a massive exodus" from the CC as this article claims, it is mainly one of two types of 'Catholics': 1) The perennially malcontent rabble rousers known as CINO's, led by angry ex-nuns of dubious sexuality, as well as unhappy ex-priests intent on re-making the Church in their own quasi-prot, über-lib-self-righteous image.--- Their constituency consists mainly of many who loudly decry the sins of a small minority within the Church, while demanding she open her doors to every kind of aberrant behaviour.. the very thing that created the present chaos that now affects her! The second type of apostates stems from the mass of un catechized, cultural and habitual quasi-Catholics, those who think that Catholicism consists of showing up once a week at church (they arrive preferably after the readings and leave after Communion while still munching on the host), who throw a buck on the collection plate and make the obligatory presence at Baptisms, weddings, funerals and high Holy days.. cont'd

James Carroll??? James Carroll was Catholic priest of Paulist order who took a vow (to God) of celibacy. He later left the order and his priesthood with permission, but, since the vow of celibacy was to God and not his order, the celibacy vow remained. Carroll later chose to marry and father children which, in any sane view, excommunicated him from the Catholic Church. Why then would anyone seek his opinion about Archbishop Dolan or, for that matter, anything having to do with the Catholic Church?