USCCB marriage discussion on Twitter

The very tightly written pastoral lists four “dangers” to marriage, specifically: artificial birth control, cohabitation [outside of marriage], divorce and same sex marriage. This same group of men has been unable to agree upon the age for confirmation, not for months, not for years but for decades. Yet, on these four cardinal questions regarding marriage they are all of one mind and in only a matter of days. Amazing!

I feel sorry for the bishops who gathered this week to discuss the “pastoral” which they have been handed from on high. They had more latitude in their selection of entrees at the catered meals than they did in the formulation and expression of the “pastoral” letter. If the demands of the “pastoral” were to have any credibility whatsoever, the question of the moral authority of the bishops has to be clarified. First, their own freedom in constructing the “pastoral” letter and secondly, their own moral competence on sexual ethics is called into question.

Before the bishops can make demands of Roman Catholic laity in the area of sexual ethics, they themselves have much work themselves to do in this regard. The immediate resignation of any Archbishop, Bishop or Superior of a Religious Order who knowingly transferred pedophile priests from one assignment to another and thereby facilitated new incidences of pedophilia should be required.

There remains the question of the knowledge and the complicity of the Vatican and the Pope himself in the sexual abuse scandal. At some point, this must be honestly addressed. Yes, the pedophile priests were the primary agents of abuse; however, their superiors became accomplices when they failed to use their authority to protect the children and their families. Arguably, this is the greater sin/crime since; they facilitated countless instances of pedophilia. Only when this is addressed, will the bishops and papacy begin to regain moral authority.

The ignorance and bigotry of most but not all, American bishops will eventually destroy them. Very few Catholics that I know have anything but contempt for them. They have the sins of child sexual abuse by clergy on their hands but they are also regarded as criminals who got away with their cover up crimes. Women's Ordination, Optional Celibacy for Priests and Same Sex marriage will be celebrated and respected by most Catholics in the future. The far right reactionary elements in Roman Catholicism amount to a very small minority but they have controlled the conversation since 1978. That era is about to end and the bishops will be the first casualty. So many of the posters to these NCR topic thread refuse to identify themselves which I find cowardly. Those who invent names for their posts are quite likely peppered with a fair amount of right wing bishops. I have begun to recognize a handful of names who can be counted on to take a firm stand for the far right and I am able to skip their posts and move on to people who post intelligently and with respect for their fellow human beings. There is such a violent and hateful tone to their comments that I no longer read them. There are many more posts by Catholics who respect each other and are able to have intelligent discourse without the hatred. The hypocrisy displayed by so many bishops over the issue of same sex marriage and women's issues have not only polarized the world wide population of baptized Catholics and other Christians but also of non believers and people of goodwill toward others.

Even MODERN technology can't disguise MEDIEVAL theology.

"Bishop Wenski defending proposed amendment that would encourage young Catholics to seek Catholic spouses."

What planet is this guy living on? Too much Florida sunshine frying his grey matter.

No amendments. The hateful language about same gender relationships endangering civilization is still in the letter? The bishops give a green light to gay bashers.

Dennis, I wish they had read the editorial. Maybe while they're building "relationship" with you all and all your media colleagues you can share it with them.

Sorry, this isn't the right place, but I just have to vent. I didn't see the marriage segment, but I did see the Q&A segment on the John Jay College Sexual Abuse Survey, and some of the bishops (all?) still don't get it. I know this by the questions they ask.

Really, when a bishop gets up and laments that one of the men on "administrative leave" can't do meaningful work . . .oh, please! He should be in jail! Work can be as meaningful as you make it; but perhaps "menial jobs" are beneath him.