So now two sets of people feel free to betray principles that have been
deeply held for centuries. Anglicans are repudiating the fundamental
achievements of the Reformation in eschewing superstition and
authoritarian religion in order to stick to a few doctrines of dubious validity. Roman Catholics are tossing aside the rule that all priests should embrace
celibacy as basic to their vocation, ignoring the suffering the rule has
caused over the years to many priests who have nevertheless put their
trust in the wisdom of the Church, which is instead indulging in the
triumphalism entailed in snagging some Protestants. The future of faith could hardly
look more rocky.