So Bill Donohue, spokesperson and maybe the only active member

of the Catholic League, the conservative organization he represents, took umbrage at an SNL joke about child-raping priests. He was, like, pretty pissed off.

The Old Guard. That's what he represents, and it's fading fast and aging out of relevance. Same for the superannuated Cardinals, Archbishops, and the Pope. They're all old men. Really old men. No senses of humor. No new ideas. No clue about what the congregations out there are concerned about.

They live the bachelor life, and a life of luxury, once they get to the top levels of the top-heavy Roman Catholic Church. It's all oriental rugs, fine furniture, delicious cuisine, and lovely velvet dresses and robes to wear. They have, you know, servants and stuff to bring them their tea and brandy, and no nagging wives to bring them down.

It's a good life, being in the RCC hierarchy. A very good life. You have power, the trappings of wealth (despite your vows of poverty), and can expect deference and ring-kissing from your faithful underlings. What care you about mundane matters like the welfare of young children entrusted to your care and education?

Yes, indeed, the Old Guard is in charge, and stays in charge of guarding its perks, privileges, and authority. Why change what works so well for you? If the clamor from outside gets too loud, you can just close the big heavy doors of the chancery and listen to a boys' choir sing plainsong to help you get to sleep in your beautiful antique bed, positioned ever so nicely under a tapestry that dates back 500 years.

Yes, sir, pay no attention to the winds of change, you incense-smelling old men with organs shriveled from disuse. You'll be dead before it gets inside your doors, so what does it matter? Just relax, enjoy yourselves and accept the abject patronage from all those nice young men all around you. They all want to be you. It's all part of the system, you see.

It will all be alright for you. Don't worry for a moment.