Speaking of brave priests, last summer was pretty thrilling in the German and Dutch speaking Catholic worlds. All over Europe, not only did brave priests bless gay married couples, they did so loudly in large public ceremonies open to all — in stated rebellion of the CDF ruling. They did so with the knowledge and permission of their bishops, and in some cases bishops led the blessing ceremonies in their cathedrals with hundreds of people (and TV cameras) present.

Many Catholic bishops from elsewhere bitterly complained, but reaction in Europe was overwhelmingly positive.

The German bishops have refused to back down, and the Vatican is now faced with open rebellion. Pope Francis finds himself uncomfortably (but firmly) on the side of the homophobes.

What happens next is hard to say, but one potential outcome is that the church will either reform or mostly cease to exist among people who will not put up with persecution of queer folks – meaning much of the developed world.

People know unjust discrimination when they see it. They know hypocrisy when they see it.

The leaders of the Church are going to have to figure out what to do about that.