“For many, and I’ve said this before, inside the church becomes almost alien territory to them in today’s society,” he said. “If the leadership of the Irish Catholic church don’t recognize that, then they’re in severe denial. Have I got a magic formula? Certainly not."
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I have a formula, and there's no magic involved. Just ashcan all the bigotry, misogyny, and piety in the Bible.

We shall see if the RCC does as well.

Not so sure about the piety. That's kind of up to the individual.

conservative reactionary denominations are the vast majority.

they "believe" when it is clear that it is in their best interest to do so.

What is funny about the NPR story your recall (which I can't find) is the assumption that the cardinals or anyone else could put anyone in hell or get them out. They don't make the rules, they just interpret them. If they are wrong, I would guess that their god did the right thing anyway.

Would love to see this story, but, as I said, I can't find it.

Homosexuality, same-sex marriage and the ordination of women.

In fact, what "beliefs" that really matter HAS the RCC officially changed their stance on?

In the 20th century, they went suddenly against it.

I drive 50k miles per year, have XM and listen to a great deal of NPR, APR and PRI.

The radio becomes like wallpaper while driving. I do recall that the comment was dialog in conjunction with someone flogging their new book.

Looking through Diane Rehm's list of guests, the most likely would be Krakaur on April 23. But that is just a guess.

I also listen to Takeaway, On Point, Fresh Air and Here and Now.

I know exactly how you feel, but I am often amazed as how much I actually retain, lol.

We like the same programs as our background noise, that's for sure.

For music, I like The Loft - particularly David Johansen and Meg Griffin. Worth every penny, imo.

It was about the Catholic Church having dug itself into a logical hole from which they cannot be extricated.

They merely say they were wrong. They've done it before and will do it again.

I'm glad they can and do absolve things after they change their mind. That's good for those who are still alive and desire it, but it doesn't undo the damage done to those who have been punished for rules that later change.

So, if they really believe, do they give up telling their truth in order to regain attendance? Or is it better to have 1/10th of the pews filled with people who really believe?

Then you have the leaders who know its bullshit. There is the story on NPR a few months ago. Pope Bene was discussing downgrading one of the sins which gets you in hell. A cardinal asked him, "We have put millions of souls into hell for this sin. How then, are you going to get them out?"

If the story is true, the problem becomes one of how to reverse a couple of thousand years of bullshit. Doing so raises the question, if they were wrong on ----, what else are they wrong on?

The gateway to questioning was opened when they gave up on the Tridentine Mass. Next, one could actually eat meat on Friday without sin. If that is no longer a sin, what else is no longer a sin? What else have they got wrong?