Posted on 01/03/2002 3:41:25 AM PST by dtom
THAT was the the most difficult thing for me; and, having enjoyed my wife as my best friend for 26 years, I am glad I made the choice I made.
The sacerdotal privilege of offering the sacrifice of the Mass and presiding over the transubstantiation of the Eucharist surely runs a poor second to the physical affection, intimacy of heart and mind that comes from absolute commitment to and union with a mere mortal as opposed to Christ?
I don't see how it gets more physical than the Eucharist, Sinkspur. I don't see how it gets more intimate than a single-minded devotion to Christ wherein ones life in Christ cannot help but spill over and often profoundly affect all with whom one comes in contact.
Your marriage has the substantively life-changing effect on others that the Eucharist or charism of a Holy Order does?
Judging from Rivero's research posted time and again here, Catholics priests actually appear to fall behind in this respect on the average.
I've always wanted to follow-up with a more objective source ... although it's true, strangely enough, that Rivero was a Catholic-basher extraordinnaire.
Following your logic, a therapist or psychiatrist cannot properly diagnose and treat ailments he/she has not suffered from.
I've seen this argument many times, and it does not hold water. It would mean that an unmarried priest couldn't give advice about marriage. And a married priest without kids couldn't give advice on child rearing. Of course, a married priest with only boys could not give advice on raising girls. Yet we don't require licensed marriage counselors to be married.
You see, you can twist that logic into many empty justifications.
Priests are privy to people's innermost confessions. They receive information that is often not transmitted even between spouses. They can provide the kind of insight which can only come from one who is an outsider to the relationship. Whether that advice comes from one who is married or not is irrelevant. Who would you rather receive marital advice from: Pope John Paul II, who is celibate, or Bill Clinton, who as we all know is married?
Furthermore, do you ever advise anyone? Using your standard you can never really do so, as you will never experience what it is to be subjectively in their shoes.
Ask the nearly 100 converts from Anglicanism to Catholicism who are both priests AND married.
Celibacy is not a theological requirement for the Catholic priesthood, and none of your usual contortions you try to wrap around it will make it so.
The Church is bending its celibacy requirement, and will bend it more in the future.
Your marriage has the substantively life-changing effect on others that the Eucharist or charism of a Holy Order does?
I don't know. Ask my two grown boys.
Sounds like you have experience... ;-)
I know people who are not priests and who have not had sex for years - either by choice or they just can't get any. Some are even married!! I can't say what thoughts go through their heads, but they certainly don't commit any crimes because of it.
Joseph was a great guy -- he doesn't get enough credit (I think he's OK with that, BTW). But are you are seriously suggesting that Mary's concomittent sacrifice is somehow less?
Joseph was a great guy -- he doesn't get enough credit (I think he's OK with that, BTW). But are you are seriously suggesting that Mary's concomittent sacrifice is somehow less?
I see, still wrong about your favorite subject. I don't know to which "Church" you refer, but it's not the true Roman Catholic Church. Perhaps, "Catholics for a Free Choice" will agree with you - you know, that group that's putting up the ads for condoms? They like to make their own rules, too.
"The kids are driving me nuts. You've got to do sometlhing about that son of yours. He's getting to be a real discipline problem. You never spend any time with him, your Catechism kids get more attention than he does."
"Mrs. McNeil called, she wants you to make a sick call, but we've got to have dinner with the Prior and his wife. I can't stand her, but..."
"And that hot, blonde babe called again and wants a conference to discuss her so-called problems. Yeh, sure. Stay away from her or else."
"Hear anything good in the Confessional today? Loved that story you told me about that guy last week...funny as heck."
"How do you expect me to run a house on the pay you get? You'd better find a part-time job. I'm tired of all this scrimping and scraping."
"When are you going to get a vasectomy? I don't want any more kids and look around you, rhythm doesn't work and it's so unspontaneous."
I refer to the Roman Catholic Church in union with Pope John Paul II, not the schismatic Society of St. Pius X, which is a sect unto itself and is outside the Roman Catholic Church.
The problem with your theory is that most people do not understand cops as other cops do because they are not familiar with them. However, take for example someone who works closely with police, and yet is not a policeman- say someone who trains them. Are you saying that such a person could not have great insight into what it is to be a cop- better than even many who actually are cops?
Now, now, sinkspur. You know that's not true. It is you who are outside the Roman Catholic Church. How old is your new "church" - about 40 years old, I think. Mine is around 2,000 years old, unchanged and unchangeable. You must miss that dignity and grace.
You're delusional on this subject.
The SSPX is OUTSIDE the Roman Catholic Church because it is NOT in union with the Pope.
Convolutions, shadings, distortions, protestations notwithstanding.
Cite, please? (And no, Chick Publications is not a valid source).
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