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	Bishop Talks Faith over Ale By Gregory Brown Morning Sentinel [Waterville ME] July 21, 2005 WATERVILLE -- With sex out of the way the conversation tacked towards religion last night at Steve's restaurant. During the second of three "Theology on Tap" sessions Bishop Richard Malone of the Portland Diocese entertained a group of roughly 70 Catholics all between 18 and 40 and all seeking answers about the actual faith they follow. Between hauls of glasses filled with ale and lager, individuals approached the bishop, introduced themselves and later let loose. "What would you say to the person who says the church has fallen behind and must change to keep up with the times?" Malone, answered, his voice rising: "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," he continued, referencing the dangers posed by the heresy of modernism. "Each are very different, but none have altered the traditions of the church." Another believer opened up: "I hear a lot of people talking about how priests should be married and how women should be allowed to join the priesthood," a woman said. "The differences between being celibate and being chaste must be recognized," Malone answered. "To be chaste is to live our sexuality within the state of our love. To be celibate is not to marry." Malone added that there are married priests, and said that under the teachings of the late Pope John Paul II theological reasons exist to explain why women are not ordained. "Women have always filled powerful positions in the church," Malone said. "But they do not serve as priests and there are theological reasons and teachings that explain why." During his address, Malone quoted author James Joyce to describe the sheer magnitude of the church, referenced Flannery O'Connor's words to describe how the world looks through a Catholic lens, and turned to the dissents of Sigmund Freud to explain the instances of sexual abuse by priests that have rocked the church recently. "I don't often quote Freud," Malone joked. "But I believe something he said holds true in regards to the horrible acts within the church: that every man, under the right circumstances, can do anything." The "Theology on Tap" program materialized 25 years ago in Chicago. A young priest, following a conversation about the meaning of life with a young man in a bar, made the trek to Windy City pubs and taverns in an attempt to reach young adults on more familiar turf. His mission was to answer questions regarding all aspects of faith and curb the spread of apathy and disenchantment among the young. The philosophy has not changed, and the questions have not softened. The final session will be held next Wednesday at Steve's, beginning with a 30-minute social hour at 6:30 p.m. and followed by discussion of politics and the role of faith in public office and a speech by Spc. Gregory Vaillancourt of Lewiston, a veteran of the conflict in Iraq who served with the 133rd Engineer Battalion.
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