[sitetest]

Dear sinkspur,

"That's why I think celibacy at least ought to be discussed."

I think that's what we're doing right here. I also think the DISCUSSION is a good thing.

It is appropriate to take the time, and lay out explicitly the worthy arguments in favor of celibacy. If people wonder why celibacy is a good thing, then the questions ought to be asked, the folks who would wish celibacy be entirely optional should say their piece. And those who will defend the discipline should respond.

And in the end, we will all follow the discipline laid out for us by the Catholic Church, submitting to her rightful authority.


sitetest

[johnb2004]

How many sermons have you heard that give the benefits of celibacy? How many sermons have you heard that say true freedom is following the teachings of the Church?

I am not being sarcastic. In my experience I almost never hear such things? How can the laity come to an informed opinion if they never hear tha truth?

[sinkspur]

Thanks for the good points in both of your posts.

I don't know that many priests who are actually materialistic, but EVERYBODY knows who the ones are that are.

I'm going to say that, if my wife were to die before me, I could embrace celibacy wholeheartedly. Part of that is due to my age (53), but also because I've known the companionship of a wonderful woman and I don't believe I'd have any real desire to "replace" that. So embracing celibacy at this stage of my life wouldn't be that great of a challenge. And this seems to be the same thing I've found with those men (one of whom I know very well) who have entered the seminary after the death of their wives. "I had a wonderful wife," Jim told me last year before he entered the seminary. "I carry her around with me all the time; no other woman could replace her."