I'm laissez-faire about many of these furious controversies in the church. I think parishes should have wide latitude to determine parish life. Do they wish to for smells and bells and a princely priest? Fine. Do they wish for women priests and liturgical dance? Fine. Do earnest divorced and remarrieds wish to take their chances with God rather than the traditionalists? Fine. The Mass is the Mass and the gospel is forever. Eye on the ball.

The church's relegation of women and LGBTQs to second-class status, not to mention its obnoxious politicization, will continue to beleaguer the church in the West. Personally I favor inclusiveness and charity over exclusion and authoritarianism. But even these distinctions are superficial. I've encountered thoughtful, inspiring priests in both forms of the Mass, and dreary hacks in both, as well. The caliber of the priest makes a lot of difference, but like in any profession, the best are few. So we reside with the rest of the church: ourselves.