Wow, I was quite certain--as were most of us--that the appointment of Ratz to Pope Benedict would bring about a 1700-century feel and mindset to the Catholic Church. Most of us recognized how dedicated this man was to the literal readings and beliefs of this religion, and his commitment to keep the Church as socially backward and misogynistic as was possible. Well, after reading
this article, it's clear that this guy and his minions are just COMPLETELY divorced from reality....
Jumping....
So all these bishops get together to declare what is already the status quo...whats the news? Well, the article says:
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- While acknowledging the acute shortage of priests in the Roman Catholic Church, bishops from around the world reaffirmed the church's stance on celibacy for priests Saturday in a set of 50 recommendations they agreed to submit to Pope Benedict XVI.
The proposals, meant for the pope to consider in a future document on the Eucharist, also dealt with whether Communion should be denied to Catholic politicians who support laws that contradict church teaching, such as the right to abortion, as well as the plight of Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment.
There's no surprise. No budging on married priests means the Church is shooting themselves in the foot. Fewer priests is going have a deleterious effect on the quality of the Catholicism that can be provided, but when you're dealing with teachings of a book 2000 years old, I guess there's no precedent for socially acclimating your Church. As for the denial of Communion to politicians.....how do you enforce THAT? Must one fill out a questionnaire prior to entering the house of worship?
It then states the no-brainer:
Debate about the priest shortage dominated the synod, with bishops complaining that Catholics sometimes have to go weeks or months without having a priest to celebrate Mass because there are too few to go around.
Some liberal Catholics and church reform groups say more men would join the priesthood if they were allowed to marry, and several bishops at the synod raised the issue of whether so-called "viri probati" or married men of proven virtue could be ordained.
Of course, there's no such thing as a successful liberal Catholic reformer. Catholicism is the antithesis of reform. However, the complete out-of-touchness of this religion is hammered home with this following statement. It actually made me laugh out loud. How anyone would expect this is just plain ridiculous:
Another major issue of the synod was how to deal with Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment. Church teaching says such Catholics cannot receive Communion because their situation "objectively contrasts with God's law."
The bishops reaffirmed church policy but called for these people to make "every possible effort" to have their previous marriages annulled. If the marriages cannot be declared invalid, the couple should celebrate their new marriage as a "loyal and trustworthy friendship" -- meaning they shouldn't consummate it.
Ha ha! Married, but not allowed to have sex??? Are you kidding me? Welcome to hell, fellow Catholics, as we are plunged back into the Middle Ages.