Dean Hoge is Dead

While were at it (as Neuhaus would say) Neuhaus also reports in his latest column that Dean Hoge is dead. Hoge was out here in Oz not all that long ago, and while he may have described himself as “as much Catholic as Protestant” , his acceptance of the idea of a "priestless Church" (and his eagerness to encourage the Australian Church to get ready for it) was very, very protestant and not at all Catholic.

Still, lets not speak ill of the dead. Let's comment on something else that Neuhaus comments on:

He [Hoge] also suggested that the way should be eased for Protestant clergy, married or unmarried, who want to become priests. “Now,” he said, “the process is long and arduous.” You will not be surprised that I agree with him on that. My way to becoming a Catholic was long and arduous, but, once that step was taken, the way to priesthood, thanks mainly to John Cardinal O’Connor, was not. But for many others that is not the case, and some very capable candidates have had to go through the entire seminary formation, as though they knew nothing about Catholicism, when, in fact, such converts typically have impressive pastoral experience and are frequently more knowledgeable about Catholic faith and life than those who have not had to think and pray their way into the Church.

Well, on second thoughts, perhaps I won't comment on that. I'll just let it stand.