The church helped create these sick animals, from boyhood up. You can't just root out bad priests and the worse bishops. You have to start rooting out sick mothers and fathers and nuns.

Supposedly St. Michael the Archangel came down from heaven and told people to keep what is good about their religions and throw out the rest. What is cruel is the stance on divorce and birth control. what used to be good was at least a beautiful liturgy and beautiful songs. Well, that has changed forever. I don't know how people become fanatics, but that is what we have to find out. I was raised to be a fanatic, but it didn't take. I have to force myself to do whatever Catholic stuff I do or don't do, except that I do believe in prayers in Latin and tithing and being a decent person. I also believe in encouraging marriage, including for gay couples, but not ruining people's lives with the laws about it.

And can't Catholics think for themselves? Not those my age and older. Maybe younger ones, but they had better still come up with the "right" orthodox answers. You can think but only if you come up with what they want you to think.

So it is a big mess. Happy Easter. And be sure and make the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday because you will get a plenary indulgance. mg