Young Catholics in Maine attend Theology on Tap trilogy with bishop

Jul 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Catholic bishop of Portland, Maine, is reaching out to some young people where they’re at. Bishop Richard Malone met with about 70 young Catholics at a pub called Steve’s to talk faith and culture. It’s all part of a three-session series of Theology on Tap.

The Theology on Tap program began 25 years ago in Chicago. A young priest, following a conversation about the meaning of life with a young man in a bar, followed up by going to different pubs and taverns in an attempt to reach out to young adults.

During Bishop Malone’s second Theology on Tap session, the group discussed a number of topics, including the magnitude of the Church, married priesthood, women’s ordination and sexual abuse by priests, reported Blethen Maine Newspapers.

When told that the Church has to keep up with the times, the bishop reportedly said: "You are right. The Church has to keep up with the issues, but that doesn't mean changing the beliefs based on opinion polls. There are moral challenges in 2005, and there were moral challenges in 1005. Each are very different, but none have altered the traditions of the Church."

A woman reportedly asked about married priests and women’s ordination.

"Women have always filled powerful positions in the Church," Bishop Malone replied. He explained that there are some married priests in the Church and pointed to Pope John Paul II’s theological writings to explain why women are not ordained.

The topic for Bishop Malone’s third Theology on Tap July 27 will be politics and the role of faith in public office. A veteran from Iraq will also share his story. It will be held at Steve’s at 6:30 p.m.