The comments and responses are interesting, if in some cases misinformed or warped by bias unsupported by evidence.
The Church is not rich. I am not attacking the Church on my own behalf, but suggesting reforms - I am neither gay nor female.
But I'm glad I've started a worthwhile debate.

Good on you Bridey for stating the obvious about a now very stale and staid Catholic Church.

I was a Catholic for many years, but am now very much a skeptic
(not an Atheist). I left the 'fold' for many reasons, including their ancient stance on abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, unmarried mums, marriage in general, and child abuse by clergy.

I am fairly sure the Catholic Church IS very well off Bridey. Check out some of the official Vatican websites where they show off their impressive array of priceless treasures, not to mention the truckloads of land they own all over the world.
There aren't any Bishops or Priests in paid employment outside the church is there? They never seem short of a quid, that's for sure.

I would go one step further than you though Bridey, and say that most of the religions of the world are no longer relevant or important to nearly as many people as they used to attract.

They all need to drag themselves out of the distant past and think for themselves, rather than looking to boring ancient books for 'inspiration'.

Lexi says:

//Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over.(joking).//

I reply... Heaven DOES want you (parable of the 100 sheep...99 safe, one goes astray..shepherd searches high and lo to find it) and Hell ALSO want's you desperately... hell is very greedy.. and it's head honcho Satan is insatiable.(and I'm not joking)

Jesus said: "13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

SUSONLINE.. all of those issues you raised are firmly and confidently answered in the Bible, but not necessarily in the Catholic Church which exists (as per Bridey's testimony) based on it's own traditions and history.

Homosexuality (Behavior) absolutely no

Abortion absolutly no but with medical reservations where one or the other life is at stake.

Euthenasia ? Not when implemented by an external party, but for the self ? I'm inclined to feel that if a person believes their time is up... well..as Paul said "to die is gain" (Phil 1:21) and "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;"

Unmarried nuns: I agree with you.. let'm marry. The Biblical principle does not require celibacy from marriage for fruitful service.

Marriage in General. Is recommended for those who feel unable to live a celibate life. (Paul speaking as an Apostle)

Child Abuse: the Lord strictly forbode such acts and condemned them. If the church and it's Lord are walking a different path on that, it's time for the members to change direction

its time you got up to speed

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=vatican+assets&btnG=Search&aq=o&aqi=&aql=&oq=

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=vatican+owns+runs+britain&btnG=Search&aq=o&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Reform can only happen from pressure within. The many Catholics I know are already thinking for themselves. Many Catholics have sex before marriage, used contraception, some have divorced, some have had affairs, many have had abortions (not specific to Catholics of course).

The people themselves are reforming but I guess they could be accused for cherry picking but that is the nature of religion, otherwise there would not be thousands of variations of the same faith (38.000 Christian faiths according to wikipedia).

There is something for everyone - if the CC does not reform or proves obstinate, there are other Christian faiths.

AGIR:

I've got to admire your perseverance (arrogance?) - even though it really gets up my nose at times - and I want to scream - "Give it a rest!" Your entitled to your opinions (we keep telling you that and trying to be polite)), but you're not entitled to assume we want to adopt them - and yet you keep flogging them to death. I think I need a cup of strong coffee!