I SO agree! And really, this should be a wake-up call to the Vatican (if they even hear about it). The number of people joining the priesthood or sisterhood is SO low, that they really need to analyze WHY? And, personally, I think a HUGE factor is that the men who would love to dedicate their life to it realize that celibacy is a very high and unnatural price to pay.

As a fervent Catholic, who is Godfather to 9 young men & women, I have "had it" with my Church. How curious the Church is so quick to condemn Father Cutie (how appropriate the name) and so quick to condemn Notre Dame for inviting our President to speak at its Commencement, but took its sweet time to timely intervene in the pedophile activities of its priests! And, instead, for centuries followed a policy attacking the victims until truth finally prevailed just recently. The entire "celibacy" issue is a farce created over 900 years ago to stem the economic problems resulting from married priests leaving their properties to their heirs, rather than to the Church. Celibacy may have its place, but I can assure you that the vast majority of "normal" males would not choose this path. Thus, this policy lends itself to attracting an inordinate number of abnormal males. No questions -- just engage in an intelligent conversation with former seminarians and it all becomes too clear. Whatever happened to the prescription of 1Tim 3:1-7, which clearly sets forth that a priest may marry? It is all a croc and I pray for our imperfect Church, led solely by imperfect men who are (as are we all) sinners. As for me, I am done with all the double-talk, hocus pocus stuff which I cannot bear another second. Truly, ignorance is bliss; for that is the only manner in which I could maintain my former level of commitment to what has become a sham, straying far from the teachings of our Lord. Shame on our Church.

I agree with you. We have all witnessed the great lengths that Church officials have historically gone to in order to protect a pedophile. I guess it is a worse sin to have an adult relationship with a woman than to molest innocent boys?!? I support the good Father and whatever decision he makes. He has been and will continue to be seen as a very good man.

I'm not Catholic, so my opinion doesn't have real-world experience to it, but I do agree with the others. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that priests are to be celibate. Seems that sex is part of life, and God didn't plan for us NOT to engage in it. Just doesn't make sense to me. I think many more, kind, Godly people would choose faith leadership if they changed that...and I don't think it would hurt the church or faith to make the change. Again, I'd like to read any Catholic points of view that think its good to keep it...I'd like to be educated on the subject.

This is a hard one. He broke his vow, much like a man that cheats on his spouse. He is an incredible man and has done so much for the Church. Jesus is all forgiving, he has repented, I'm sure Jesus will forgive him as have many people. As to the Church, there are currently 100 Married Catholic Priests (married ministers from other Faith's that converted and asked for permission). I know a Priest who after 30 years of being a Priest, fell in love, wrote to the Bishop, and they allowed him to marry and continue being a priest. Fr. Cutie did not take this route. I agree, vow of celibacy should not be a requirement but disciples never married it is hard to commit fully to Jesus and maintain a family. The problem is do you then allow dating? I think a married Deacon stepping up to Priesthood is ok but remember the Church teaches us all to be celibate until we marry. I agree they condemned him too quickly. I think b/c it is a consenting adult they don't have to hide as much as with pedophile cases. They should have "investigated" and put him on leave before firing him. As an HR professional, you violate a term of your employment and you don't always get fired, many times you get reprimanded or put on probation. Luis, don't give up on the Church. It is made of humans and thus full of mistakes and sinners. We must overcome the bad and recognize the good otherwise we are letting evil win. I continue to pray the Church realizes that it needs to evolve somewhat if it wants to continue growing. I pray and support Fr. Albert and regret the pain this is causing him and his family.

To feel as he is treated unfairly because others did " worse" is part of the hypocrisy. The church did what it had to be done in this case. He no only failed, he lied. To excuse him based in previous cover ups would deteriorate the church even more. The " worse" is relative: pedophiles are sick, despite the sad issue about innocent victims. What is Father Cutie excuse? His good looks? His celebrity status? As a mother I just think about having my son or daughter near any of these "Fathers" and my position would be the same: I couldn't trust them.

Just a note: some of the apostles were married: recall that Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. the mother-in-law comes with a wife! Bishops also were married in the early church--one of the requirements in the early church was that a candidate for bishop be a "good family man"