One step forward, one step back.

One step forward, one step back.

There are very confusing things going on in the Roman Catholic Church. The reports tell us that in the past few days the pope has allowed the ordination of a married theologian in his native Germany – the father of two children. ‘Is he so desperate to find theologians who agree with him? ‘was one very cynical reaction. Why this man and not others? What about married deacons who are told they can never become priests , yet who work so hard within the limitations imposed upon them.

At the same time in America Phoenix Cathedral officials have stated that females will no longer be able to serve at the alter – this is in contravention of established  practice right across that country.   The reason/excuse given is that this will encourage more boys to become servers and such boys are therefore more likely to become priests.

How can a less inclusive church be an encouragement to anyone but bigots? Yet talking to a cleric only yesterday evening he is finding, as I do, that on the whole it is younger priests who are the most conservative. Why is this? Is it because they are too young to remember the joy and freedom of Vatican 2? Is it the way they are being taught in ever fewer seminaries?  What about the charismatic Catholic churches in Africa? What would their opinion be?

Surely the call of God to choose priesthood comes from God, not from  negative practices by clerics– although of course the Church has its part to play in helping such young people to test and further their vocation.