"They are there because of their knowledge and experience in areas that people think are important."
Which people think them "important" and what "experience" do a bunch of celibate (allegedly) celibate men have of the modern world, having spent a large part of their lives away from it?
I come from a traditionally Catholic family and I never saw the pries unless he was knocking on the door asking for money - never saw HIM (no women allowed) in my various workplaces, or sitting next to me in the cinema, or down the pub having a drink and playing darts with the lads.
If I'd have gone to church, I would have seen him in strange get-up waving crisps and wine about and telling us they were flesh and blood.
They are unworldly, inexperienced in anything, largely misogynistic and extremely reactionary on some of the subjects that concern us most.
Our schooteachers, doctors, nurses... have more of a grasp on the world and the certainly do more for humanity than do a group of self-appointed mystics who (certainly as far as the Republic of Ireland is concerned - they won't tell us about the British bit) are not to be trusted with our children, or with the problems of childbirth, or homosexuality....
Out local traffic warden is more in touch with the real world than they are as a profession.
Jim Carroll