Posted on 11/16/2006 4:43:13 PM PST by NYer
Special Meeting Stresses Need for Formation
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 16, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI and his collaborators in the Roman Curia reaffirmed the importance of priestly celibacy, and stressed the need for a "human and Christian formation" for priests and seminarians.
The decision was confirmed in a communiqué issued by the Vatican press office, after a special meeting today held in the Apostolic Palace.
The Pope presided at the gathering, which was attended by cardinals and archbishops who head dicasteries of the Curia.
The press office note revealed that "the participants in the meeting received detailed information on the petitions for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy presented in recent years and on the possibility of readmission, to the exercise of the ministry, of priests who at present meet the conditions established by the Church."
"Reaffirmed was the value of the option for priestly celibacy, according to the Catholic tradition, and the need was confirmed of a solid human and Christian formation both for seminarians as well as for already ordained priests," the communiqué said.
This was the third meeting of heads of dicasteries of the Holy See convoked by Benedict XVI.
A communiqué issued Tuesday by the Vatican press office explained that the meeting sought "to examine the situation that has been created after the disobedience of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo."
Milingo, 76, the retired archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, ordained four bishops on Sept. 24 without papal approval, incurring automatic excommunication. Previously he had entered a civil marriage and was recently pushing for a married priesthood.
According to data from the Vatican Congregation for Clergy, every year about 1,000 priests leave the priestly ministry.
The congregation also published data on priests who have returned to priestly ministry between 1970 and 1995. They undergo a rigorous procedure, carried out case by case. Their number varies greatly from one year to another. In those years, a total of 9,551 returned.
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Here is a translation of the communiqué issued by the Holy See today:
"This morning, November 16, in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father presided over one of the periodic meetings with heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia to engage in a joint reflection. Participants in the meeting received detailed information on petitions for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy presented in recent years and on the possibility of readmission, to the exercise of the ministry, of priests who at present meet the conditions established by the Church. The value was reaffirmed of the option for priestly celibacy, according to the Catholic tradition, and the need was confirmed for a solid human and Christian formation for seminarians as well as for already ordained priests."
[Translation by ZENIT]
This is a plus, and while it sounds rather practical and not theological, the priest, as one through whose hands Christ's presence comes to us in the Eucharist, seems to me to be looked at more as God's representative merely than someone who gives a sermon every Sunday.
Miss Marple gives some practical considerations. She is quite correct in saying that this is a matter of "discipline" and not dogma. In other words, it is conceivable that it could be changed in particular circumstances.
However, from a theological perspective, Jaysun, there is only ONE HIGH PRIEST, and that is Jesus the Christ. The men we call priests confect the Eucharist "in persona Christi"--in the person of Christ--and are therefore called "alter Christi" or other Christs as they represent Him who is the High Priest. Since Christ was unmarried and fully involved in only one work, the salvation of mankind, priests are called to do likewise.
This then explains those parts of Scripture that indicate that anyone who leaves mother, father, wife, family to follow Christ will have 100 fold greater families. This is one of the many reasons for the discipline of celibacy and why it is unlikely to ever be overturned in the Roman Church. Priests follow Christ in every way including His style of Life. Christ, in the Catholic view, has the Church as His Mystical Body. The Church is also His bride. So does the priest and it explains our viewpoint: he is married to the Church of Christ.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p2.htm
See #796
F
Thank you too, Frank. I need to chew on your point for a bit.
BTTT!
> As Priests offer the Sacrifice Daily, perpetual continence/celibacy is demanded as a discipline.
In his Decretals, Pope Siricuis cited The Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy and referenced waht I just noted. The Decretals were issued in 385 AD.
THe Decretals of Pope Siricius made it clear he was not instituing a new policy but referencing an ancient discipline that came from the Apostles themselves and he demanded all return to the Apostolic Practice
Fascinating! Another of the million reasons why I love FR.
AMDG+
F
Celibacy stays? Uh-oh.....we're doomed...........so sez Milingo............
Catholic bump.
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