The sexual abuse of children is almost a distraction. It has absolutely nothing to do with church teaching; it is something that happens in almost any institutionalised environment to greater or lesser degree, and it makes a convenient whipping boy whereby conservative catholics can sound enlightened.

Joe has put his finger on the real issue: "the entire theology of sexuality." Like many Catholics, he would like to see a major rethink. But he is going to be disappointed if he his hoping to see change in his lifetime.

The Catholic church is always so dogmatically assertive, imposing its values with heartless authority, that a climb-down on one of its fundamentals would be a major humiliation. I think there will be change - there has to be - but it will go at a snail's pace in the hope that no-one notices.

Guest/BM: In bygone years my assaults on Joe were highly intemperate, but his good-spirited responses shamed me into thinking I should moderate my tone, and I hope he can see that I'm trying....

I'm not sure I understood this sentence of yours: "He is NOT defending the business of the Church; he is defending the people therein, and with those people he includes you." If you were assuming I am (or have ever been) a Catholic, I should make clear that I am not. Also, your initials were not enough! Any chance of another clue, like maybe where we met?