[Romulus]

Lengthy, but worthwhile.

[Romulus]

FYI -- one of the very best things I've read on the whole sordid mess.

[MWS]

It was at least nice to hear someone speaking of the good parts of celibacy, especially at a time when it is under attack from many sides...

[livius]

What an excellent article!

[cornelis]

Thanks for posting.

[AlguyA]

bump and a bookmark. Very good read. May this time of Triduum be a time of prayer and renewal for our priests, our bishops and ourselves.

Peace.

[ibme]

true pedophilia is extremely rare
which can lead to sexual relations with sexually mature but underage boys

OK, so now they are no longer children but sexually mature but underage
Pull your pants leg up, it’s getting deep.

Is this the daily whitewashing posting?

[eastsider]

[W]e must look at the history of clerical celibacy. The tradition ... dates back to apostolic times. From the fourth century we find widespread (although not unanimous) evidence that the Church indeed ordained married men, but expected them to refrain from relations after marriage. Early Christians felt great (although perhaps not totally warranted) confidence in the ability of Christians to remain continent within and outside marriage.

This would indicate to me that continence dates back to apostolic times, not celibacy.

[JesusIsLord]

Sounds like the chickens are coming home to roost. Unfortunately these chickens are chicken-hawks!

To my Roman Catholic friends I say, I pray that the Lord and the law cleans your house of all its filth!

Have a Happy Easter Everyone!

[joathome]

"Would ending celibacy perhaps at least provide more candidates for a shrinking Catholic clergy? But the mainline denominations have also all been hit with a clergy shortage, even though half of their seminary students are now women."

For an otherwise well written article, he still doesn't get it. LIBERAL churches are in decline, and so are their seminaries. Conservative churches, for the most part, having growing membership, and have no problem attracting ministers--MALE, ministers. :)

[workerbee]

Thanks - great reading.

(I can only imagine the discussions I've missed in the last couple of weeks!)

[DaveTesla]

1 Corinthians 7.32
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the
Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests
are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be
holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband.
35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and
unhindered devotion to the Lord.

May God save the rock.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Amidst the madness, there is also good news developing...

Campion College:http://www.ignatius.com

[Ronin]

Bump for later study.

[AnnaZ]

"Unspun with AnnaZ And Mercuria on RadioFR NOW!

LISTEN LIVE WHILE YOU FREEP!

[SuziQ]

Great article!! Thanks for finding and posting it. Sir SuziQ was lurking a while ago and pointed it out to me. We have been talking about this for several weeks.

Our pastor has been very troubled by this, especailly because several men that he knows have been 'put on leave' in recent weeks. When he has mentioned the abuse from the pulpit, I had felt there was a controlled rage under the surface. At Holy Thursday Mass tonight, he mentioned that tonight was kind of like the birthday of the 'priesthood' and suggested the congregation give him, and the two other priests in the Parish a round of applause on their 'birthday'. Not only did we do that, but we all gave a standing O in support of this fine man and his colleagues who are faithful to their vows. He was dumbfounded, and remarked when we all sat down "I certainly didn't expect that!" We were glad to show our support. During this Holy Season of Redemption, please pray for all priests that they'll be faithful to God.

[Jeff Chandler]

This article touches upon an issue to which I have given quite a bit of thought. It involves the difference between men and woman, and the way they deal with discipline. In general, woman are warm, compassionate, and nurturing. Men are strong and protective. That is why it is so important that a child have both a mommy and a daddy-to strike that balance. A large part of the American bishops, and many of the clergy have gone the way of the liberal clergy of other denominations. They are ultra-compassionate. They are extremely caring. They are nurturing and therapeutic. In other words, they are WOMANLY. I don't mean they are effeminate-that is a whole 'nother story. I mean that when they view a homicidal killer on death row, they feel compassion, like a mother would. When confronted with the evil of communism, they urged unilateral disarmament, like a teenage girl would. When saddled with the responsibility of determining the fate of a predatory homosexual exploiter priest, their hearts tell them to give the poor unfortunate another chance, where a male sensibility would demand the axe.

Mothers are incredible, indispensible creatures. They don't make good Catholic bishops.

[patent]

Bumping. Let me know if you want on or off the list. Click my screen name for a description.

patent

[Travis McGee]

Ping.

[PadreL]

I was celebrating at a funeral with a Methodist minister one time. Before we began, he said, "You Romans are lucky being celibate." I laughed and said that he was lucky. He then went on to say that it is not easy being married and a minister and that the divorce rate for clergy is about 50%.

Life is always better in the other pew.

[St.Chuck]

Outstanding Article. Thanks for posting it.