Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: hall@vice.ico.tek.com (Hal Lillywhite) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Jokes Message-ID: Date: 17 Nov 90 05:12:36 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or. Lines: 26 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu (I believe I got this from the _Readers Digest_.) Three young Catholics boys grew up as close friends and all went to seminary together. Being bright and hard working they were the 3 top students in their class, so close together that they were tied for the top of the class. Each received his assignment and approached it with the same dedication given to his studies, becoming outstanding priests - Father Martinez, Father O'Reiley, and Father Secola. In fact soon it was Bishop Martinez and Bishop O'Reiley although Father Secola remained a simple if outstanding priest. Time went on and in a few more years it was Archbishop Martinez and Archbishop O'Reiley but still Father Secola much loved by the people of his parish. However Father Secola couldn't help but wonder why his friends were promoted while he was not so he approached his bishop. "Bishop, I know we shouldn't seek position and I really am quite happy serving as a priest. However I notice my friends have become archbishops now and I wonder if I am doing something wrong?" "Well, you do deserve an explanation," replied the bishop. "If you become a bishop (and I'm confident you would be a good one) it's only one step to become an archbishop. If that happens an outstanding man like you could easily become a cardinal. If you become a cardinal anything can happen. And I'm sorry but we just don't think the church is ready for a Pope Secola."