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1/ In our June cover story, James Carroll lays out an argument to abolish the priesthood. theatln.tc/aWZkZZXF
2/ Carroll is a former priest himself, who left the priesthood 45 years ago. theatln.tc/WMcbQDi4
3/ Recently, Carroll stopped attending services. “I have not been to Mass in months. I carry an ocean of grief in my heart.” 
4/ Carroll outlines the abuses of the Catholic Church, and the culture of secrecy that allows those abuses to stay hidden.
5/ At the core of this dysfunction is the idea of clericalism—the vesting of power in an all-male and celibate clergy.
6/ Clericalism has its roots in the Roman empire and the repression of desire.
7/ Carroll had hoped Pope Francis would reform the Church, but has been disappointed again and again. “He denounces the clerical culture in which abuse has found its niche but does nothing to dismantle it.”
8/ Given this lack of action by Church leadership, Carroll’s suggested cure is to abolish the priesthood altogether. “I refuse to let a predator priest or a complicit bishop rip my faith from me.”
9/ “We will be Catholics, full stop. We do not need anyone’s permission,” Carroll writes.
10/ What do you think of James Carroll’s argument? We welcome your letters to the editor at letters@theatlantic.com. Look for further conversation on this topic at theatlantic.com.
