I certainly wouldn't say that such things are "accepted" in the Catholic church. On the other hand, it must be remembered that priests are human beings and are fallible. Historically, there have been numerous reports of priests with drinking problems and conflicted sexuality. All priests take a vow of celibacy, so if the "openly gay" priest was engaging in actual sexual activity, he would have been violating his vows. However, if he was merely expressing his attraction to other men, without engaging in overt acts, there would be no sin. It is not a sin to admit that one is subject to temptation. (Read Paul's epistles on the subject.)

I don't know what the arrangements are on HAL, but when I sailed RCCL I talked to the priest who said mass each day. He told me that he was a paying customer on his vacation. (Contrary to a commonly held misconception, most Catholic priests do NOT take a vow of poverty, only the members of certain orders.) As his priestly duties require him to say a mass everyday, he had volunteered to do so publicly. He could have satisfied his liturgical obligation by saying the mass privately in his stateroom.

I believed that this was the way in which most priests ended up saying the masses on the cruise-ships I've been on. That was an assumption on my part and could be mistaken.

I used to work in a church rectory (place where priests live and chuch offices are located) as an office assistant. One priest had a girlfriend he used to let in by the back door on Sat. only, one was always drunk, another had a nasty attitude and subcribed to Playboy (Part of my job was sorting the mail!). The first day I got the job I was told "Whatever goes on here please do not discuss!" My analysis on the whole priest thing is that there all cracked thats why they are their in the first place. (This does not refelect my opinion on religion - the priests are not God).

Anyone who can legally marry people is good enough on a ship. Afterall, it's romantic to be married on a ship. We don't need somebody on board who claims he can forgive sin.

I don't believe in Interfaith stuff. If you can't represent all religions properly then don't waste ship space with services.

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I was very surprised at the Catholic Priest who would come aboard each week....the majority of these Priest spent more time at the bar getting blitzed than they did at mass, and many of them were heavy smokers? I even met one young Priest who was openly gay? I didn't understand this at all. Tell me...is this acceptable in the Catholic church, or did we get mostly bum Priests?

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As for priests and girl friends ... well, why not? Dating and marriage was quite legal for 1,300 years and is quite accepted in a good many countries today.

btw, if I or my wife ever see you on a cruise, you can bet we'll offer to buy you a single malt at the bar.

I never go as chaplain but as paying passenger. I'm on vacation. But, each cruise, something happens -- even on HAL, where they carry a priest. So you're never off-duty.

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Originally posted by Ascendancy:

I don't believe in Interfaith stuff. If you can't represent all religions properly then don't waste ship space with services.

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While you are fully entitled to your opinion Ascendancy I beg leave to differ. Its not a matter of "representing all religions properly", of course that is impossible, its a matter of honouring God and fellowship.

I've never been a chaplain onboard, but last trip I had to take care of a gentleman who departed this world suddenly in the theater, as well as taking care of his surviving wife. The priest is also chaplain to the crew -- at least on HAL --and does the Protestant / interdenom services. But, as I said, people quickly find out who you are, so even the fare-paying on-vacation priest gets to do a little work!

Maasdam, Oct 20. 6 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes

Regarding the heavy drinking, it is my opinion that a priest is a representative of God, and the Christian faith, and should behave as God would want any Christian or representative of the faith to behave. The Bible is very specific about drunkeness, and homosexuality for that matter. Now I know that we are all human, even priests, and being human we all have a sin nature, but if a priest is going to wear that collar, should they conduct themselves in a Godly manner. If they want to engage in compromising activities, shouldn't they at least remove that collar?

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I guess I still don't get it...why I saw such behavior so consistantly in the priests that would come aboard.

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It's possible that cruise lines attract certain types of clergy. Maybe HAL gets the older, retired types (I am not, btw) who tend to be more aware of their calling. Could be that some lines get the "disco priests" (bad phrase, but you know what I mean) who aren't really sure who they are or what they are doing in this calling.

I am not familiar with your line and what sort of people it attracts (for instance: Carnival vs HAL). Maybe it, and other such lines, are good places for the priests who are marginal to disappear ... hang out at the bar, hit on people. I don't know. I don't hang with that crowd. Maybe their idea is to get as many cruises as possible so they can escape from the reality of what is a tough calling.

I think, after this exchange, you know they are their own group, and certainly not representative of us all. It's too bad, because passengers are often looking for some spiritual refreshment along with all the delights of a cruise. They don't need a priest who may be confused or burned out.

As to the other post(s) above, about the rectory ... hey, we're not angels. People have an expectation we won't ever look at Playboy (if it's wrong for us, it's wrong for you) or rent a skin flick (ok, did it twice, not porn) or even have one too many (not my problem). Sheeesh.

When we get on a ship, we tend to relax; hopefully, in good taste, etc. But sometimes people put us up on a pedestal and there isn't much room up there; one false step and we fall off it to the scandal of the people who stuck us there.

Just wanted to commend you on your ability to type while riding so high upon a horse.

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Originally posted by Ed Aigner:
Maybe its because I get a chance to give my classic (my opinion of it anyway!) original advice at the end of all services--"And a final word of advice from your cruise chaplain--Have a good time, but don't go overboard!"

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Ed,
I thought my "any port in a storm" reference was going to get me arrested by the cliche' police....they now have two suspects to go after!

After dinner,I bumped into him and we sat and talked until the wee hours.Why? Because he told me first of all that he hadn't always been a priest. So I asked him what his previous profession had been.I almost fell off my chair when he said that he had been part of a comedy double act in Burlesque!!! AND on top of that,he had been a stage manager on Broadway,hence his knowledge of Broadway shows!! His stories of his past "doings" were hilarious and I could just imagine him doing schtick in Burlesque.

His name was Father Tony from West Palm Beach and what a wonderfully colourful man he was.
I look for him each time I sail on HAL but I haven't seen him since. Has anyone ever experienced this terrific priest?
Needless to say,his services were always well attended.

And, yes, I know lots (maybe most?) of the Broadway show tunes, where they are from and something about the song or actor. Goes with the territory.