Your last two paragraphs are probably the nub of our disareement. It is the very essence of AmChurch misbehavior to involve more lay people in the decision-making or governance of the Church. We are not a democracy. We must never be a democracy. It is time and long past time for Rome to bring AmChurch to heel. Calling priests according to the moral or even stylistic preferences of the congregation is a guarantee that we will no longer be one, universal, catholic Church.
It is time and long past time for Rome to bring AmChurch to heel. Calling priests according to the moral or even stylistic preferences of the congregation is a guarantee that we will no longer be one, universal, catholic Church. Your two well-written and thoughtful posts are consistent with your exceptional conservative credentials and knowledge of Church history.
Maybe I should qualify my statment. I certainly don't favor the veto of clerical appointments by lay people. But, if the Church, especially the Western Church, doesn't seriously address the perception (and, as you know, perception can become reality) that the priesthood is a largely gay playpen in which adolescent males serve as prey, lay people, whose hard-earned money go to pay off the victims of pederasts, will DEMAND that they be served by men who will at the very least OBEY THE LAW!