A drunk who smelled like  beer   sat down on  a subway next to a priest.

The  man's tie was stained, his face  was  plastered with red  lipstick, and

a half-empty bottle of gin was  sticking out of his  torn coat pocket.

  He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a  few minutes the man   turned to  the priest and asked, 

'Say  Father, what causes arthritis?'

The priest  replies, 'My Son, it's caused by  loose living, being  with  cheap,

wicked women, too much  alcohol, contempt for your fellow man,  sleeping

around with  prostitutes  and lack of a bath.'

The drunk  muttered in response,   'Well, I'll  be  damned, '  then  returned to his paper.

The priest, thinking  about what   he had said,  nudged the man   and apologized. 'I'm very sorry.
  I didn't  mean to come on so strong.   How long have you had arthritis?'

The drunk answered, 'I  don't have it, Father.  I was just  reading here that the Pope  does.'

MORAL:  Make sure you understand the question before offering the  answer.