This is a messy church of varieties and quirks

National Catholic Reporter, April 26, 1996 by Tim Unsworth

* Clergy who preach or publish liberal ideas risk an invitation to the chancery. However, a conservative priest who recently declared Vatican II a disaster, bemoaned the loss of the term "Father" and the fact that nuns were living in apartments -- ignoring the fact that most were booted out of their parish convents by pastors -- will incur no criticism. Even the bizarre bishop who recently threatened excommunication to groups he views as threats to his authority will hear barely a word from his fellow bishops, though they might privately regard him as certifiable.

* Sadly, Catholic schools continue to close, largely because of rising costs. One researcher found that the cost of running the parish school tripled in a 14-year period while the parish income only doubled. Further, suburban parish schools can't compete with wealthier public schools that boast of computers everywhere but in the bathrooms and towel warmers in the locker rooms.

* Finally, I'm discovering of late that not all liberal priests and bishops are pastoral and that some conservative bishops are warmly pastoral. "I can't help it," one conservative archbishop told a friend about his theological views. "It's just the way I am." Yet, he has offered his home to a fellow priest with AIDS visited his parishes, actually listened to the parishioners, and has never been punitive.

Great God, it's a messy church. But we can all meet at the altar and experience the glory in his bosom that, as we are promised, transfigures you and me.