There are several basic principles underlying this blog.

1.The Roman Catholic Church is not the Catholic Church. It is one of the 24 parts of the Catholic Church. It is the biggest by far- about a billion. It’s called the Western Church. There are, however, about 16 million in the other part, the Eastern Church- Ukrainian about 4 and a half million,Syro-Malabar 3-4 million. Some of the other members are tiny. Think of one of the new giant- now empty- tourist liners, followed by a couple of trawlers, and the rest as rowing boats. Some of them are very ancient indeed. But some are very new indeed. The Polish Pope started one up in 2012. And Pope Francis started another one in 2014. They are called ‘rites’ but this is because of tiny differences in how they produce the Eucharist , which is what the whole Church is for. And this is what it is for, and not to give a lkot of old men with funny hats and spectacles a position of personal power. Sorry if I spoke too freely. Well, not really.

In other words, a Pope can start up a new section whenever he feels like it.!I am not making this up ! Check it out on Wikipedia. But tske my advice and ignore any mob ending in an (x). Life’s too short.

I’m talking about the 24 sections of the Church which function under Pope Francis. Hit Youtube, and you’ll see them functioning at Papal Coronations. They’re ahead of the game beardwise, but some singers !

When I think of Pope Francis, I can’t help thinking of the great statue of Laocoon and sons being strangled by serpents.

But he did blow the chance of transforming the Church by coming out for celibate priests at the end of the recent Amazonian Synod. In other words, stating that the only way we can obtain the Eucharist is through celibate priests supported by a parish. I had a great wee book at school. It was called the Four Gospels. And I’d be greatly surprised to find this concept mentioned in it anywhere, especially in the parts dealing with the Last Supper.

Your Holiness, you blew it. Surprising for a Jesuit. but there you are. So now we have to look to the next Pope.

I propose to dedicate the next parts of this blog to looking at what the next Pope will. do. And the dragon in the room is China, and its millions seeking spiritual assistance.

According again to Wikipedia, there are fifty thousand parishes without celibate priests supported by a parish.

Can we get on with it and Feed The Flock ?

The folk song goes on to add ‘ on the banks of the Boyne in the morning ‘ in case you wondered. Here might be a place to thank Glasgow’s Orangemen whose part in supporting Catholicism in Glasgow must never be underestimated. Would many care without them ?

Feed The Flock !