Bingo. Nothing more tragic than the culture of death enveloping the clergy as well. These men have lost their faith but are either in denial or despair, or both. Oh Sheperd, turn over your flock to those whose faith remains, and wander the earth lost,for the remainder of your days. Tragic, but no longer uncommon.
“The road to hell is paved with the skulls of erring priests, with bishops as their signposts.”
St. John Chrysostom
“These men have lost their faith but are either in denial or despair, or both.”
yeah, but instead of admitting that and either going to lie in the gutter where they belong, or seek some gainful work elsewhere, they still want to “wear the collar”.
They enjoy too much the influence they have over others and the material trappings of their positions.
Just give me an honest crook or atheist, better than a phoney baloney like this guy.
Mrs. Don-O is right, as sympathetic as one might be to the fellow mentioned here, it never stops there and it’ll be you, me and your Aunt Tillie once these creeps get to have their way.
I also venture that anyone has the right to refuse treatment and even to refuse nourishment if they so desire.