General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Pope’s Foot-Wash a Final Straw for Traditionalist Catholics [View all]olegramps
(8,200 posts)Both my wife and myself come from staunch Catholic families, however, among our children, and numerous nieces and nephews only a handful attend church. The rest are only seen on major occasions such as baptisms, marriages and funerals. I like them have adopted the same relationship with the church. The era of optimism that Pope John XXIII and his calling of the ecumenical council, Vatican II awaken, was totally crushed by the ultra-conservatives that regained control of the church. Although Pope Francis sparks some hope, I will remain skeptical that he will be able to make any significant changes given that the church is dominated by a hierarchy of medieval conservatives who were selected for their strict adherence to opposition to any liberalization of church doctrine.