  Conservative Bishops, Liberal Results | by James Hitchcock
Editor's note: This article originally appeared inCatholic World
Report, May 1995–exactly ten years ago. While much has
transpired since then–not the least the election of a new pope–I
think this article is well worth revisiting, for reasons that I
hope are clear upon reading (or rereading) it in 2005.  A young
man applies to study for the priesthood and is interviewed by a
committee whose chairman, a high-ranking diocesan official, asks
him his "feelings" about the ordination of women. The candidate
replies that the matter has been settled by the Holy Father. The
chairman replies, "We're not asking what the Pope thinks. We
want to know how you feel about it". The young man states simply
that he accepts the Church's teaching on the matter. He is
subsequently informed that the committee has found him
unsuitable for the priesthood. An indirect appeal to the bishop
of the diocese brings the response that all candidates must be
recommended by the scree