Posted on 05/11/2009 10:28:43 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
Good post. Thanks for the link!
When for many reasons which would be good discussion items, the priest no longer "believes" in the effectiveness of celibacy either for himself or for his service to the Church, there arise an integrity problem. He continues to believe in service, but celibacy as a control mechanism or as a source of scandal because it is not observed, loses its value. The service of many dedicated married Protestant clergy is as great if not greater than that of the priest ( They usually do not spend as much time on the golf course, however).
For those who know not the life of the priest, to quote canon law, tell them they are unfaithful, thump the bible at them is treating the priests as though they were disobedient children rather than adult men.
Since you posted the same thing three times, I guess I should answer.
Priestly celibacy is a discipline not dogma. Is it a good idea? I don’t know, I couldn’t live that way. Recently, an elderly priest at my parish included a plea for marriage, but I think the vast majority of priests support the current status.
No matter, that is the vow he took. When he found that he could no longer keep it, he should have gone to his superior. Getting caught on the beach is just tacky. In addition, this is a two year relationship. It’s not like he got drunk and woke up in a whorehouse. I think he should now find a new way to serve the church. Raising some catholic children would certainly be one way.
Having him back as a priest would be like rehiring a bookkeeper after you caught him embezzling.
When do they start taping the next season of “The Surreal Life”?
Please show me where God says priests can't like women.
A lot of them like boys, is that better?
That' s been known to happen ... at least he might tell where he stashed the swag!!
In re multiple postings Repititio Mater Scientiae and wish me luck in mastering the MAC, which I am finding rather less adept at handling FR than my PC.
Now the Father Cutié deal: this fellow needs to take a long hike in the Pyrenees. A two-year hike from one monastery to another. Then, he also oughta grow a beard to cover that smirking cutie-pie face. Take him off TV. Perhaps my years of work in the blasé home of Roman Catholicism have made me un-puritanical, but to me, this is no big deal ... a garden-variety clerical fornicatory arrangement. Time for everyone to go to confession and go home. Sack cloth. Ashes. Basta.
Padre Cutié done the crime. The church has many ways for him to do the time. They do not include Oprah appearances or a movie, hai capito?
Btw if you’re a Catholic (which I seriously doubt) and you don’t approve of the iterpretrated doctrine become and Episcopalian. If not than STFU.
Do you mean "then"?
Are all of your sect as illiterate as you are?
I think not, you must be especially ignorant.
Do you perhaps lack education?
You might think about a career in talk radio, since you
think you have the ability to educate people whom you know nothing about.
Here lies another problem. The priesthood is a calling. You need to discern that you are being called by God. A proper formation for the priesthood needs to be encouraged and take place.
When for many reasons which would be good discussion items, the priest no longer "believes" in the effectiveness of celibacy either for himself or for his service to the Church, there arise an integrity problem. He continues to believe in service, but celibacy as a control mechanism or as a source of scandal because it is not observed, loses its value.
This argument is based on feelings. The same can be said of Marriage. If I feel like Marriage has lost its effectiveness in my life I cannot just end it. I took a vow at the altar of God and promised "in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer". I made a promise to God and my wife till "death do us part."
Also, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" has a deeper meaning here as well. When a priest goes off to another he is cheating on God. Do I understand the urge of the sinner, absolutely, I am a sinner also. But I also understand the vow I undertook, knowing fully what I was getting into and that me trying to change the nature of my vocation after the fact would be very disingenuous and hypocritical.
"You shall know a tree by it's fruit" is part of this argument here. Almost all of the chatter regarding the relaxing of priestly vows comes from nominal Catholics and heretical sects. They arguments put forth by the non-Catholic Christians can be excused due to lack of being a believing and practicing Catholic.
The service of many dedicated married Protestant clergy is as great if not greater than that of the priest
This is an assertion that is not based on any fact and has no place in this discussion. The priests and the Monsignor in my parish are extremely hard working and busy 24x7. It would be very uncharitable for me to assert the opposite of my Protestant brethren in Christ.
For those who know not the life of the priest, to quote canon law, tell them they are unfaithful, thump the bible at them is treating the priests as though they were disobedient children rather than adult men.
I agree we need to treat these men as men and the best way to is to give them the truth straight up. Encouraging them that the behavior is OK or filling their heads with doctrine that is contrary to the Catholic faith isn't the way to heal this grievous sin.
Thanks for the conversation.
You may be a gunner but you our more than obviously not humble.
If you are indeed a Catholic and are indeed practicing I would be humble enough to listen to your reasoning.
And how many married Catholic couples break their sacred wedding vows? Are they forgiven or branded with a scarlet letter for the rest of their lives?
sw
You can only be forgiven if you are repentant. This priest will wear a scarlet letter of his own making if he doesn't repent and get back to his vocation. The priest is separating himself from the Church by committing the mortal sin.
But then again..maybe I've watched the Thorn Birds a dozen times too many :)
sw
I’ll bet that you don’t realize that 21 of the 22 Churches sui juris which comprise the Catholic Church, ordain, as a norm, married men.
It is a dicsipline highly praised and lived by Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul, for starters.
With regard to the Priesthood, there is no difference between a vow of celibacy and a promise of chastity.
Main Entry: cel·i·ba·cy
Pronunciation: \ˈse-lə-bə-sē\
Function: noun
Date: 1646
1: the state of not being married
2 a: abstention from sexual intercourse b: abstention by vow from marriage
Main Entry: chas·ti·ty
Pronunciation: \ˈchas-tə-tē\
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1: the quality or state of being chaste: as a: abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse b: abstention from all sexual intercourse c: purity in conduct and intention d: restraint and simplicity in design or expression 2: personal integrity
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