The question is, which of these prelates sees this as a problem and which ones do not? Pope Francis sees it as a problem. The difficulty for him, though, is trying to figure out who he can trust to help him undermine this lobby that is so ensconced. Yes, a pope has the power to order whatever he wants, but that is a moot point if no one desires to carry out his orders.
I find this somewhat of an excuse.
The pope can't get his orders followed?
Yeah, only because as a church we're reluctant to crack the canonical whip.
And heck, it's not like he can't fire people.
Don't get the job done? You're fired.
How hard is that?
It's because nobody ever suffers any consequences that nobody ever feels the need to follow orders.
Start denying communion, start taking down prelates and we'll see how fast things happen.
And on the diocesan level, all the bishop has to do is stop ordaining these guys.
If I, the bishop, think you're gay, you don't get ordained.
If you don't tow the line on Church doctrine, you're gone.
If you don't act like you enjoy traditional Catholic approaches to spirituality, if you don't give me those Church Doctor vibes, you don't make it out of seminary.
How hard is that?
What are we afraid of in this Church?
You know the guy who was found with porn and condoms in his suitcase?
He should be deposed.
He's not even close to being fit to be a priest.
I realize that everyone sins.
But hardened sinners should not be leading the faithful.
Is this hard to understand?
Catholic orthodoxy should be mandatory for ordination. As in: the candidate should be completely imbued with a Catholic worldview. And he should not have any major sinful inclinations, whether it's homosexuality or something else.
Priests are supposed to be aiming for spiritual perfection. That's why we choose from among the celibate. If that doctrine doesn't even register, they have no business being priests.
