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Show Sunday. September 2, !)) Religion The Daily Herald, Provo. Uah Research: decline in priests may be useful Motorcyclists hit bottom before Signs of the times may be telling American Roman Catholics that they don't need so many priests and that lay people should take becoming advocates of Christ INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) -They consider themselves modern-da- y disciples of Jesus Christ, but they wear cloth of a different kind. jeans, tattoos and motorcycles are their priestly uniforms and spreading the word of God to outlaw bikers is their mission. Guy Girratono, Robert Kaps and the Rev. Dale Crofford have been bikers since their youth and each has had his share of trouble. Girratono served time for armed bank robbery and assault; Crofford served time for assault with intent to kill, Kaps rode aimlessly around Oklahoma, moving from one job to another. It wasn't until they reached the lowest point in their lives that they "found God," they say, through people who cared. In turn, they seek to bring Jesus into the hearts of motorcycle gangs. "I just have a real heart for these people. I lived that life in my younger years and I got saved," said the bearded Croffoid, dressed n in a jeans and heavy work boots an outfit similar to what he wears when he preaches to his congregation at the Wellington Holy Christian Fellowship Church in Wellington, Mo. "I believe that you can be a Christian and be you and this is what I am," said Crofford, 48. When not preaching, Crofford works in a motorcycle shop in the Kansas City area. Harley-Davidso- ' I've had some who have come to me and cried," Crofford said. "I've had some who have come to me and said 'I want to change but I don't know how.' I've had some who've said 'I'm not going to go to church.' a religious blankety-blan- k "The important thing is that we're there to help if they have a "I just believe that these guys and girls out there need to know that God loves them exactly where they're at," he said. "We can be Christians, ride motorcycles, love God and still dress this way." For years, Crofford wore a suit and tie on the pulpit but felt awkward. "What does a preacher look like, anyway? I don't know," he said."I believe that if (Saint) Peter would have lived in this day and age he would have been a biker. That's the kind of man he was." The three men spend many weekends attending bikers rallies across Missouri. They hold outdoor services, each contributing his unique talent. over more church responsibilites, an analyst of the situation says. The theory is put forward by the Rev. Eugene Hemrick, research di- rector for the nation's Catholic bishops, in the face of a new study indicating the priesthood is headed into a steep decline. "Maybe we had too many priests in the past," he said. "There's need." During many bikers rallies, club members often indulge in drugs and alcohol, Girratono said. "We want to introduce them to a better a life free from the way of life bondage of alcohol or drugs and illicit sex." Once a biker shows an interest in their message, the second part of their mission begins preparing bikers to withstand persecution and getting mainstream churches to accept them, tattoos and all. "Even if a person comes to Christ from this biking community, for that man to walk into a church next Sunday morning and sit down and receive the word of God like anybody else off the street is not going to happen in most cases," Girratono said. "We hope to give them a good enough grounding so they are not hurt. Their emotions are very deli- Crofford, knowledgeable about the Bible, preaches the Gospel. Kaps, a baritone, sings the hymns. Girratono, a diplomat of sorts, preaches and uses his contacts with gang leaders to give the three a safe haven in the biker's camps. Girratono, 51, said he has spent years cultivating the leaders of outlaw bike clubs in Kansas City so the three can move freely within those circles. "I can move in their rallies, in their groups, in their festivities without a threat of reprisal of any kind," Girratono said. "They know rne; they respect me and I have their blessing, so to speak." Some biker gangs treat their ministry with indifference, others with curiosity. much more relying on lay people than before, which could be a good thing. That may be why all this is happening." The study projects that in 15 years the number of active diocesan pripsts will have shrunk to 21,030 in this country. That would be a 40 percent drop from a peak of 35,070 in 1966. "There's no doubt about it, we're in for a dramatic drop," said Hemrick, who works in Washington, D.C. The drop in priests looms as the number of American Catholics increases, from the current 57 million to an estimated 70 million by 2005. At the same time, parishes without priests are multiplying, now numbering more than 1,000. Many parishes now are run by lay "pastoral administrators" or nuns filling that role. With that practice spreading, the bishops issued guidelines last fall for Sunday worship without priests. cate." In March, they joined more than bikers on a charity ride ,o benefit the homeless. The bikers donated more than $23,000 to the City Union Mission in Kansas City, a privately funded homeless 450 100-mi- Like auaimn leaves, Pier I s new fall fashions are dill of bril liant colors. As for proof, just look at all our fall floral prints. These comfo rtable.versatile separates are ideal for w ork or play. .nd this week, they're on sale. Which is our way',f introducing our exciting fall collection. Choose from dress, skin and button front top. Reg. $29.99 to $4Z99, Sale $21.98 to $34.98. i - , -- "..a- mm A : 230 OPEN LABOR DAY EAST 1300 PlaccTo Discover.- SOUTH PARKWAY CENTER, OREM 10-- 9 pwtHM Ui 226-017- 7 nnl I'd ht'l IS Vwir)i! Card Al AP Laserphoto From left, the Rev. Dale Crofford, Rhonda Girratono, her husband Guy, and Bob Kaps, take to the highways on motorcycles to spread the word of Christianity to fellow bikers. 4t ' , SEPTEMBER "MONDAY, 3 ONLY, USE OUR EXTRAS PLAN ON ANY $100 MINIMUM Repayment must be made is There no finance charge if payments. equal montniy If as aae ce scheduled payments are not mode cs paper's scheduled a monthly periodic interest rate of 1.5 shall Pe made cr' 'he unpaid balance. This corresponds to an annual percentage rae of "3o An accounts must be m good standing and are subject c cea cccovc! IN OUR HOME OFFICE DEPARTMENT. PURCHASE m 12 " Olivetti' computer system Reg. 2499.99 Features a 12 Mhz 80286 CP'. 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