[Acrylic-bob]

Oddly enough, I was musing on such matters only yesterday, ie, the priests I remembered from my childhood. And I was moved to speculate on why so many Priests came from Ireland. I really have difficulty believing that it was because the Irish are uniquely devout. I came to the conclusion that it was because the Church, for many, represented a way out of poverty. A bit like joining the army, but without the unpleasant necessity of having to kill people occaisionally. I know from my own experience that several of the priests at Sacred Heart were addicted to alcohol and the temptations of the flesh. Your story about Fr. Stack and his associates serves to confirm this view.

Not that I am condemning them in any way, the priesthood is often a hard, thankless choice of career and I have always rather admired Fr.Stack, in a sideways sort of way. The Parish certainly thrived under his hand. I suppose it's the hypocracy that irks me.