[sinkspur]

"Catholics, when they are presented with the argument that ending celibacy would increase the ranks of the priesthood, should ask themselves if, even were that so, would something more important than numbers of priests be lost, something today’s culture desperately needs? That would be the example of heroism in the practice of chastity."

Catholics don't ask themselves that question because they're not convinced that celibacy has a witness value. They see married Protestant converts serving as priests, they see married men serving as deacons, and, in our diocese, they see lay leaders directing Eucharistic services in lieu of a priest.

While the Church is figuring out how to re-sell celibacy as having a "heroic value", average Catholics see laymen ministering, in many cases heroically, while balancing family and work life.

If the Church decides that celibacy is more important than the Celebration of the Eucharist in every parish every Sunday (because that's what it boils down to), then we'll have laymen assuming more and more of the leadership of parish communities.

Make no mistake about it: the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Catholic communities, and if priests aren't there to lead them, laymen will.

[sitetest]

Dear sinkspur,

"If the Church decides that celibacy is more important than the Celebration of the Eucharist in every parish every Sunday (because that's what it boils down to), then we'll have laymen assuming more and more of the leadership of parish communities."

I believe that this argument is essentially, "there would be more priests if married men could be priests."

Perhaps in the short term there might be. I imagine that many married deacons would enter into the priesthood, giving a significant boost in numbers.

But in the long term, I think we'd lose as many (or more) vocations as we gained.

The experience of the Protestant churches is instructive. Many of these denominations are hard-pressed to find sufficient numbers with "the call," as well. Yet, they may marry.

Part of the difficulty is that the priesthood is not (and will not become) a particularly remunerative vocation. For folks who embrace celibacy, this isn't the greatest concern. But for folks who anticipate a wife and family, and who understand the moral obligation to provide adequate material support thereto, this is a very big concern.


sitetest

[johnb2004]

"While the Church is figuring out how to re-sell celibacy as having a "heroic value", average Catholics see laymen ministering, in many cases heroically, while balancing family and work life."


Perhaps that is true in some places. It is not my experience. I see lay folks and nuns wanting to play priest. I see dissent. I see the social gospel proclaimed week in and week out. I hear folks claim artificial birth control is not a sin. I hear that the Vatican is against homosexuals. I hear some say the vatican is sexist. I hear some say they are above the Church.