I have been reading our notes this past week and am amazed at how many of our Catholic brethren seem to suggest things that are so alien to our Church teachings and traditions...especially as Irish Catholics who have suffered at the hands of Protestant British troops, thugs and mercenaries. That said, I have friends who are British and friends who are Protestant... I do not hold much of an objection personally to married priests...but, if we follow Christ's example, He did ask the apostles to leave their families behind. The apostles did lead celebate lives. And, although there were some mariied priests in the Church's (and Ireland's (past)...there were simple reasons why this didn't work out. For instance inheritance issues where children inherited church property and offices...it led to corruption and greed. Also, until recently, if we needed a priest, he was available 24/7. It was a calling, not just a job. Plus priests earn VERY little, practically, priests would have to earn much more to support families. So, there are religious and practical reasons for keeping priests unmarried. Then...people brought up women priests? Echoes of Wicca, pagan cults, witchcraft and Satanism aside...I went to Catholic school as a child and my teachers were mainly nuns, they were VERY important. The principle was a nun, she was incredibly important in our school, our parish and our lives. Priests are male in the example of the apostles that were choosen by Jesus Christ (also male). I see nothing wrong with that and respect the traditions handed down to us over the generations from our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am not a fanatic, and I'm not a 'perfect' Roman Catholic (if you read my book, 'Daydreams & Nightmares' at www.lulu.com/content/210331 you'll see that I am as human as anyone else here), though I am a traditionalist and very happy that the Tridentine Latin Mass is back. I don't agree 100% with everything the Pope or Cardinals and Bishops say or do, but...the Church isn't a democracy or a republic. It's a theocracy set-up by Christ, who we believe (as Christians in any denomination) is God made man. I don't think I am smarter than God, who, set-up the male run Church. Yet, I respect and love women. My mom, my sister, my wife and my daughters. So, please don't assume I am some kind of neandrethal misogynist? From the Blessed Mother, Mary to Mary Magdeline, to the many female saints, our sisters and nuns and teachers and mothers and sisters and wives and daughters, women are respected and exhaulted throughout the Church, through our history and lives. Yet men and women are different, as created by God. We have roles in society, in the Church and in our daily lives. That is not controversial, that is not disrespectful, that is not bad, it's just a fact of life. As Christians and Catholics we respect and revere women, men, and life in general. Many (not all) of the people involved in this supposedly pro-women discussion, may be for abortion rights, birth control, maybe electing bishops and changing unlimited facets of Catholic teaching and beliefs...but if you differ so much with our dogma and theology, are you still really a Catholic? I mean that with the deepest respect for anyone with a true conviction and belief...I respect, for instance, Martin Luther. I think he was wrong to leave the Church, I doubt he was smarter, wiser or more divine than Christ, the founder of the Catholic Church, but I respect his convictions and integrety. I respect our Greek Orthodox and fellow orthodox catholic churches too. But, I am a Latin Rite, Roman Catholic and stay in the church, teach my children to be Catholic, because about 2000 years ago, in choosing His apostles and preaching his message of love and forgiveness, and building His Church upon the 'rock' of St. Peter...God in Christ showed me and continues to show me the truth of His teachings. God bless you all, and I hope this didn't sound too preachy...but even with shortages, political correctness and popularity problems, I belive God will continue to take care of the Church...as long as we believe He will, Sorry to have babbled on so much, and sorry if I offened anyone. But I felt like no-one was defending the faith...and as many faults as I have as a person and Catholic and Christian, I do believe in Jesus Christ and the Church He gave us. Like a loving father, God allows us to make mistakes and hopes we will learn from them. Jim Riley www.lulu.com/content/210331 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com