text: I doubt it will happen soon.  However, I don't see why you would have to give up the Catholic faith if it happens, since the male-only priesthood has never been infallibly defined as a divinely revealed dogma and therefore is *NOT* a matter of faith.  
  
  I am no questioning JP2's authority to decree a hiatus.   I am not giving up the Catholic faith.  But a decree to officially stop discussing a doctrine, no matter how forcefully phrased, is *NOT* a dogma.  The doctrine will be clarified in due course.  We'll see what happens when we finally arrive in "Tipperary."
  
  However, I strongly disagree that people should be intimidated into thinking that a reformable doctrine is irreformable.  Other than dogmas, all doctrines are admixtures of revealed truth and fallible human interpretation; and are, therefore, amenable to clarification.
  
  Due to deeply ingrained cultural conditioning, it is a visceral issue.  No matter what happens, hope we both stick around.  Peace!