"What a bunch of arbitrary bull" or "Holy shit"

Summary of Vatican meeting described in Vatican says firm 'no' to married priests (I'm not making this shit up):

• Despite priest shortage, priests still cannot marry. However, existing priests should pray that more young people get involved in the church. While waiting for God to get more young people involved, churches with excess priests should send their extras to those who need more. (it's weird that you would pray for such a thing. Don't you think God would already be looking out for the church? And if leaving the church alone is a part of his testing of faith, you would think it would be silly to suggest praying for more priests... Is there something inconsistent here?)


• Politicians who condone abortion are really bad people and deserve very hard slaps on the wrist; however, priests should hesitate to deny them communion. (the wafer producers lobbied hard for that part)


• People who divorce and remarry must be sure that their old married was annulled. If they cannot get it annulled, their new marriage must be considered a "loyal and trustworthy friendship" and they cannot have sex. Otherwise their situation "objectively contrasts with God's law" and they cannot receive communion. (though communion can still be given to priests who have a history of sex with altar boys)


• Priests need to prepare better homilies. In particular, priests need to consider some different places to put the "sign of peace" during Mass rituals. (further confirming that most high priests are closet homosexuals who had families that wouldn't let them go to interior design school)

Vatican says firm 'no' to married priests

Decisions made on politicians, remarriage and divorce

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- While acknowledging the acute shortage of priests in the Roman Catholic Church, bishops from around the world reaffirmed the church's stance on celibacy for priests Saturday in a set of 50 recommendations they agreed to submit to Pope Benedict XVI.

The proposals, meant for the pope to consider in a future document on the Eucharist, also dealt with whether Communion should be denied to Catholic politicians who support laws that contradict church teaching, such as the right to abortion, as well as the plight of Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment.

But the final recommendation reaffirmed the "inestimable gift of ecclesiastical celibacy" and said the idea of ordaining "viri probati" was a "path not to follow," according to the list of the propositions released by the Vatican.

The proposition also called for Catholics to pray for new priests, for pastors to encourage young people to go into the priesthood, and for bishops to be more willing to share their priests with dioceses in need if they have a surplus.

Among their other recommendations, the bishops said Catholic politicians should realize their "grave social responsibility" and not support laws that contrast with church teaching.

But no blanket recommendation was made on whether the politicians should be denied Communion, with a final proposal saying local bishops "should exercise the virtues of firmness and prudence taking into account concrete local situations."

Another major issue of the synod was how to deal with Catholics who divorce and remarry without getting an annulment. Church teaching says such Catholics cannot receive Communion because their situation "objectively contrasts with God's law."

The bishops reaffirmed church policy but called for these people to make "every possible effort" to have their previous marriages annulled. If the marriages cannot be declared invalid, the couple should celebrate their new marriage as a "loyal and trustworthy friendship" -- meaning they shouldn't consummate it.

Other propositions reaffirmed the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, called for priests to prepare better homilies and suggested some changes to particular Mass rituals, such as the placement of the "sign of peace" during Mass.