Celibacy For Priests. The Defense Takes the Floor

Chiesa Online ^ | 10/24/16 | Sandro Magister

[marshmallow]

It will not be discussed at a synod, but pressure is growing in favor of the ordination of married men. The most highly esteemed of the Italian theologians has puts a spotlight on the question in an authoritative magazine. And he is opting to hold on to celibacy: not only “opportune,” but “necessary”

ROME, October 24, 2016 – Interviewed a few days ago by Gianni Cardinale for the newspaper of the Italian episcopal conference, “Avvenire,” the secretary general of the synod of bishops, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, confirmed that the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the new session in 2018 - “Young people, faith, and vocational discernment” - was the same one that the fourteen cardinals and bishops of the synodal secretariat had put on the top of the list of their proposals.

But Baldisseri also said that just after it, on the list, were the ordained ministries. Without specifying further but with the obvious, implied question of the ordination of married men.

Already once before, in 1971, a synod had addressed this issue. And many voices had been raised in favor of the ordination of “viri probati,” meaning “married men of mature age and of established probity.” That request was put to a vote and defeated only narrowly by the opposing side: 107 against 87.

And once again today there are insistent, widespread requests to introduce a married clergy into the Latin Church on a larger scale, with Pope Francis having made it clear on several occasions that he is ready to listen:

[Gay State Conservative]

When I was a kid Catholics weren't allowed to eat meat on Friday.I didn't understand why at the time but I think I understand now.As far as lifelong celibacy for priests is concerned I can understand why Christ would want His vicars to be celibate on certain occasions.Perhaps on Sundays,Holy Days and maybe during Lent as well.But life long?

Yes,it's true that Christ never married and that He died "celibate".But I believe that He would understand that His vicars are human.

[Cen-Tejas]

celibacy is to man like a river flowing uphill is to a river....

[onedoug]

Episcopalianism once had a concept called REST: Reason. Experience. Scripture. Tradition.

I feel that Catholicism should retain Her celibate priests based on my understandings of those above concepts.

(FYI, I’m Noachide)

[wattojawa]

Allowing married men to be ordained would be one step closer to reuniting with the East.

[heterosupremacist]

You missed the point - I am also human, but I chose a life of absolute celibacy. “His vicars” should; and must be, held to a higher standard!

It is a matter of discipline, as well as discipleship. It is not too much to ask from His vicars who act in ‘persona Christi’ to renounce the temptations of the flesh.

Are you suggesting no man can resist such temptations? The intrinsic value of celibacy; by itself, is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by people such as yourself...

† Dominus vobiscum. †

[Gay State Conservative]

Are you suggesting no man can resist such temptations?

I have a hunch that you might be a priest.If so I'm certainly not qualified to argue theology with you.But in case you're not:

How are you defining "temptation"? I was always taught that that word is only used when speaking of sinful acts.Physical love between a husband and wife isn't sinful...unless everything the Sisters of Saint Joseph taught me was wrong.

Also,I can't understand how an Episcopal/Anglican priest who,while married,converts to Catholicism is allowed to serve as a Catholic priest *and* remain married.

[clarissaexplainsitall]

Catholic priests sacrifice their personal lives for their parishioners. It is a sacrifice they choose. They work longer hours than doctors and couldn’t do the same job if they had a wife and kids at home. We are blessed to have such men that sacrifice their personal happiness to do the job asked of them.

[SuziQ]

If a man thinks he may want to marry, why not just wait and join the Diaconate, when he is of an age? Deacons provide wonderful services for their Parishes; Baptisms, wedding ceremonies, religious education, any number of things. They are ordained to the Diaconate while married, but agree, if their wife dies, they will not re-marry.

I'm at a loss to figure out why more Parishes do not offer this wonderful ministry. Both my late Father-in-Law, and my brother-in-law (my older sister's husband) were ordained to the Diaconate on the same day, in the first class of Deacons for the Diocese of Jackson MS. They served their Parishes well, all during their active service. B-i-l, the Deacon, was recruited by my priest brother-in-law (hubby's oldest brother) to come work in his Parish as Religious Education Director, and when b-i-l, the priest was moved to another Parish, b-i-l, the Deacon stayed on with the new Pastor, and though he has retired from the active Diaconate, he still assists at morning Mass several days a week, and at least one Mass each weekend.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

So, what happened to Catholic priests that break the vow of celibacy......over and over......with other men? Is their calling valid?

[Ransomed]

This should be an easy one for any conservative of any faith.

Simply try to find one person of any faith or none who supports abortion, ‘gay marriage’, and female clergy who also invariably doesn’t HATE the latin Catholic’s discipline of celibacy and think it should end.

How did the search go?

Freegards