what position is a prelate anyway?

all i can remember so far is that the 'frumious bandersnatch' was likened to that large red band around the waist of the clergy....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelate

"The term also is used in a generic sense, in which case it may equally refer to an apostolic prefecture, an apostolic vicariate or a territorial abbacy."

so not necessarily catholic then...could have been a high anglican for all i know...

anyway, yahoo news has an article about a cardinal who 'quite rightly in my view but then i am not a catholic' campaigned against celibacy in the priesthood:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/britains-top-cardinal-keith-obrien-resigns-111317730.html

Cardinal O'Brien is no stranger to making the news with his views.
Last week, he called for the Catholic Church to end its celibacy rule for the priesthood.

He had told the BBC: "I realise that many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy as they lived out their priesthood, and felt the need of a companion, of a woman, to whom they could get married and raise a family of their own."

He has also been an outspoken opponent of plans to legalise same-sex marriage.
Last year his stance landed him the award, Bigot of the Year, from the gay rights group Stonewall.
In 2007 he caused controversy when speaking on the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act.
He said the termination rate north of the border was equivalent to "two Dunblane massacres a day".