You wrote:
“This is the root of the problem and my biggest concern. We can count the number of good bishops in the USA on about one hand, so I’m curious how you see the situation improving?”
There are MORE orthodox bishops now then ten years ago an dthey are much younger than the orthodox bishops of ten years ago as well. They will be around for many years. Archbishop Burke will be an active bishop (baring some unexpected death or illness) for many years.
“Do you mean that Pope Benedict is appointing orthodox bishops to replace the liberal and homosexual ones who are gradually reaching retirement age?”
It is more than that. The actual pool of priests to draw bishops from is more solidly orthodox than what existed just a few years ago. In many diocese, you’ll discover that the young priests are more traditional and orthodox than their aged bishops.
“And how can we recover from disasters like Mahony, Brown, Skylstad, etc, who have possibly sent millions of people on the path of ignorance or heresy, who will now be rearing their children with these same errors?”
Simple. We will let them die, be replaced, and begin anew. We’ve done it before. We can do it again because God is our support. Think of 16th century Vienna, Austria. For 20 years there was not a single ordination to the priesthood. Not one. Sounds like a bad diocese to me. That situation changed. Mahoney is a disgrace - but only a temporary one. He will die or be removed. His replacement or even his replacement’s replacement will be better. It is the way of things.
I have seen some evidence of what you say, you have given me some confidence that the pieces fit together. We certainly have a way to go, but if the seminaries get cleaned up, and young, good, devout men are allowed again to enter the priesthood, it will certainly change. Thanks, you have cheered me up a bit!