[llama hunter]

agreed

and his role in the pedophilia coverup in the US Church is fair criticism (god knows what other pedophilia scandals have happened outside of the US and have been covered, well it sure happened in Canada as well)

I also believe the whole Vatican stance on keeping the clergy celibate is ridiculous, I think the Eastern Orthodox church proves without doubt there is precedent for married priests and only sheer greed lead to the celibacy requirement in the first place [as in a single priest is cheaper to provide for than a married priest and his family]

[A.A. Cunningham]

and only sheer greed lead to the celibacy requirement in the first place

Your lack of acumen on the facts of the topic you chose to comment on is overwhelming.

[go-ken-go]

you have no clue.

[Cronos]

I also believe the whole Vatican stance on keeping the clergy celibate is ridiculous, I think the Eastern Orthodox church proves without doubt there is precedent for married priests and only sheer greed lead to the celibacy requirement in the first place [as in a single priest is cheaper to provide for than a married priest and his family]

You know it's customary for people to think before speaking. Do you KNOW the reason why the celibacy rule was put in place?? Or did you just make guesses -- I'd say that's what you did because the FACT is that the celibacy rule was put in place in the 10th to 12th century to COMBAT nepotism not to make things cheaper. It is also because at that time, the monks of the Franciscan and Dominican orders were creating a great impact on the Western world. People were moved by their piety, their discarding of all worldly ties -- including family. And they contrasted this with their parish priests who would have been married.

Now, I'm NOT saying a married man cannot be an honorary example as a priest. However, people will always talk -- how many Anglican parishes woudl gossip about the Vicar's wife? And how come the Vicar's children were able to wear such expensive clothes and go to such good schools.

The Orthodox church also allows married men only to be priests -- the Bishops MUST be unmarried. Perhaps that is a compromise, I don't know. I DO know that the Catholic church allows married priests in it's Maronnite, Uniate, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rite branches -- and those ARE Catholic churchs.

So, to conclude, dear llama hunter, do read up before spouting statements that will upset others by their sheer mendacity.