Padre Alberto Moves On

I've been insanely busy the past few days and will be for a few days more, so this will be rather brief.

I'm glad that Father Alberto has decided to remain in the Christian community as a minister, but feel saddened that he has chosen to leave the church he committed to many years ago. As I've stated in previous posts on the topic, I can go either way with Catholic priests being married, but what's gotten kind of lost in this case is that Padre Alberto broke his vows, whether you agree with them or not.

Also, and most importantly in the grand scheme of things; as influential and charismatic as Alberto was with Catholics in South Florida, he's only one man. I'm sure the many other young priests in the Archdiocese and around the world who struggle with temptation and other issues, just like Alberto did, and manage to keep their vows intact would appreciate a little credit on their part for doing what Alberto couldn't do. That's not to say that they should be awarded for "doing their job". But the outcry to allow Catholic priests to get married is overshadowing the simple but important fact that for every Father Alberto, there are many others who are rock solid with their vows and probably just as charismatic and influential on a smaller but still critical scale. No one is truly irreplaceable. The Episcopal Church has gained a talented clergyman. But the Catholic Church will surely survive.