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CELIBACY AND THE PRIESTHOOD - 30 Questions and Answers
zna ^
| January 25, 2013
| John Flynn, LC
Posted on 01/27/2013 1:46:13 PM PST by NYer
ROME, January 25, 2013 (Zenit.org).
Why can’t priests marry? It’s a question people often ask and the requirement of celibacy has also been blamed as one of the causes of sexual abuse by priests.
A recently published translation of an Italian book addresses the topic in a question and answer format, “Married Priests? Thirty Crucial Questions about Celibacy” (Ignatius Press). It is edited by Arturo Cattaneo, with contributions from a wide variety of scholars.
We are faced with a great educational challenge in explaining the Church’s teaching on priestly celibacy, admitted Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
He likened celibacy to marriage. "The underlying logic of priestly celibacy is the same one we encounter in Christian matrimony: the total gift of everything forever in love."
From the historical aspect the book noted that Christ chose celibacy for himself even though among the Jews this state of life was seen as a humiliation. He did not generate children physically but loved his disciples as brethren and shared a common life with them.
Jesus' way of communicating life was not through physical generation but spiritual. Therefore the celibacy of those who follow Jesus in the priesthood must be understood in the perspective of this spiritual transmission of eternal life.
One of the questions deals with the affirmation that celibacy did not become obligatory until the Middle Ages. For a start, the explanation noted, there is considerable Biblical evidence, both in the Gospels and the letters of St Paul, of support for celibacy as a sign of witness.
While it is true that during the early centuries married men were ordained, after their ordination they were expected to practice continence and those who were single at ordination or those widowed after ordination were not permitted to marry once they were priests.
All deacons, priests and bishops, the explanation continued, had to refrain from sexual activity from the day of ordination. "Nowhere in the Church can it be proved that a married cleric legitimately begat children after his ordination."
Over time the Church realized that continence for married clerics was problematic regarding the sacramentality of marriage and so during the Middle Ages this led to the decision of requiring priests to be single.
Vocations
Why not allow married priests in order to attract more vocations? This, the book observed, is one of the most frequent arguments regarding celibacy. There is no evidence, however, "that requiring less of candidates to the priesthood leads to increased numbers of them," the answer replied.
"Experience proves the contrary instead: vocations to the priesthood flourish and multiply when the radical gospel message is welcomed consistently and unapologetically."
The requirement of celibacy is not a dogma, another section of the book admitted, but this does not mean it is a merely disciplinary measure. Celibacy means that the priest should be similar to Christ and live as he did.
Jesus regarded himself as the “Bridegroom” of the whole community of believers. The explanation referred to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (5:21-33) that uses the image of marriage for the union between Christ and the Church.
Is not celibacy unnatural and the cause of crises among priests? In the answer to this question the author, in this case Manfred Lütz, a doctor of medicine in psychiatry, explained that the question is based on an erroneous premise. What about all the people who are unmarried – are they all unnatural?
The celibate life only becomes unnatural when being single turns into isolated selfishness or narcissism, Lütz continued.
Spiritual life
From his experience as a therapist Lütz said that crises among clergy do not come from celibacy, but rather from the drying up of the spiritual life.
A subsequent question also dealt with this theme of psychological equilibrium. It was answered by André-Marie Jerumanis, a priest and physician.
Celibacy, he explained, is not harmful to equilibrium or maturity if we take into account that it is a free choice of a psychologically mature person.
A human being is not just a mere bundle of instincts. Instead, as a person we have an intellect, a will and free choice, which makes possible self-control.
"The more humanly and spiritually mature a person is, the more perfectly he will practice continence at the psychological level, not as frustration but as perfect freedom exercised in self-control and in complete availability to his personal mission," Jerumanis explained.
In another question Jerumanis dealt with the accusation that celibacy is a causal factor in sexual abuse. It would be rash to come to this conclusion, he affirmed, just as it would be rash to conclude that marital crises are due to the requirement that marriage be indissoluble.
Another contributor noted that no one would blame the institution of marriage as being responsible for a parent sexually abusing their child. He also observed that sexual abuse is just as prevalent in churches that have married clergy and that by far the largest number of cases of sexual abuse occurs in the immediate family.
These explanations and the other questions and answers make this book a valuable resource at a time of continued debate over celibacy.
TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: celibacy
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1
posted on
01/27/2013 1:46:19 PM PST
by
NYer
To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...
Since the Eastern Catholic Church allows for married priests, I have posted the following before but it is worth repeating. This is from a Maronite Catholic Cardinal, who supports the celibate priesthood.
Oct 15, 2005
Speaking to the 11th General Synod Fathers, gathered for their eighth meeting this morning at the Vatican, Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, who is Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in Lebanon--a Catholic rite which allows for married priests--addressed the issue, which has been brought up by many, particularly in light of the U.S. sex abuse scandal, of commonly permitting married priests in the Roman rite.
Vatican City, Oct. 07, 2005 (CNA) - The Cardinal defended the practice of the celibate priesthood and discussed the beauty of the tradition, calling it the "most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church."
While pointing out that "the Maronite Church admits married priests" and that "half of our diocesan priests are married", the Cardinal Patriarch said that "it must be recognized that if admitting married men resolves one problem, it creates others just as serious."
"A married priest", he said, "has the duty to look after his wife and family, ensuring his children receive a good education and overseeing their entry into society. ... Another difficulty facing a married priest arises if he does not enjoy a good relationship with his parishioners; his bishop cannot transfer him because of the difficulty of transferring his whole family.
He noted that "married priests have perpetuated the faith among people whose difficult lives they shared, and without them this faith would no longer exist."
"On the other hand," he said, "celibacy is the most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church,"
Lamenting a culture which is all but outright opposed to purity, the Cardinal asked: "How can [celibacy] be conserved in an atmosphere laden with eroticism? Newspapers, Internet, billboards, shows, everything appears shameless and constantly offends the virtue of chastity."
Suggesting that there are no easy solutions to the problem of priest shortages in the Church--an oft brought up point during the Synod--he noted that, "Of course a priest, once ordained, can no longer get married. Sending priests to countries where they are lacking, taking them from a country that has many, is not the ideal solution if one bears in mind the question of tradition, customs and mentality. The problem remains."
Maronite Rite Cardinal defends, praises celibate priesthood
Note as well that the Maronite Church only sends celibate priests to serve outside of Lebanon.
2
posted on
01/27/2013 1:50:09 PM PST
by
NYer
("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." --Jeremiah 1:5)
To: NYer; RIghtwardHo; Reaganite Republican; Clintons Are White Trash; HerrBlucher; mgist; raptor22; ...
+
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Add me / Remove me
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.
3
posted on
01/27/2013 1:52:20 PM PST
by
narses
To: NYer
Marriage and celibacy are not the same issue of course.
requirement of celibacy has also been blamed as one of the causes of sexual abuse by priests.
Homo-pedo priests are homo pedo's whether or not they can get married, unless those doing the blaming think they should be allowed to marry underage boys??
4
posted on
01/27/2013 1:58:28 PM PST
by
GeronL
(http://asspos.blogspot.com)
To: NYer
5
posted on
01/27/2013 2:06:14 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: NYer
**”On the other hand,” he said, “celibacy is the most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church,”**
And true priest guard it carefully.
6
posted on
01/27/2013 2:07:57 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: NYer
**”On the other hand,” he said, “celibacy is the most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church,”**
And true priests guard it carefully.
7
posted on
01/27/2013 2:08:03 PM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: NYer
It's not surprising that an Eastern Cardinal would support a celibate clergy, since Bishops in Eastern Churches are celibate.
"How can [celibacy] be conserved in an atmosphere laden with eroticism? Newspapers, Internet, billboards, shows, everything appears shameless and constantly offends the virtue of chastity."
Chastity is not the same thing as celibacy, and the author's parenthetical insertion is wrong. It should say "How can [chastity] be conserved ..., etc."
The popular culture is as much an offense to continent singles and faithfully married couples [both groups of whom are also chaste] as it is to the celibate priesthood. In fact, I would say it is far more of an offense to continent singles than any other group. We haven't yet reached the point where faithful partners are ridiculed for observing their vows, but chaste single people are viciously deprecated.
Paul's recommendation not to marry is not based on an argument about "purity" [more properly chastity] because to do so would have suggested that sacramental marriage was unchaste, but rather, about the priorities a married man necessarily has versus an unmarried one.
8
posted on
01/27/2013 2:16:54 PM PST
by
FredZarguna
(PA:The right of citizens to bear arms in defence of themselves and the State shall not be questioned)
To: NYer
IF the first Pope was Peter (a Jewish man) that was married..
Celibacy is a real stretch.. Peter was the ONLY Pope that knew and talked to Jesus.. (also a Jew)..
That is..... if Peter was a Pope at all..
9
posted on
01/27/2013 2:17:42 PM PST
by
hosepipe
(This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
To: NYer
A culture that doesn’t value virginity/celibacy likely also doesn’t properly value marriage and parenthood. Any right use of our sexual faculties is going to require self-sacrifice, in one form or another, not self-serving.
10
posted on
01/27/2013 2:18:21 PM PST
by
Tax-chick
(Make sure you notice when I'm being subtly ironic!)
To: hosepipe
IF the first Pope was Peter (a Jewish man) that was married.. We know from Scripture that Peter was married ... but that is all we know. We don't know if his wife was alive or dead. Since he spent most of his time on the road with Christ, one could possibly construe that he was a widower. Ultimately, however, Peter was the first pope. His wife, if she was still alive, was not at his side, when he was crucified upside down in the Coliseum.
11
posted on
01/27/2013 2:30:08 PM PST
by
NYer
("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." --Jeremiah 1:5)
To: GeronL
“’Homo-pedo priests are homo pedo’s whether or not they can get married, unless those doing the blaming think they should be allowed to marry underage boys??”
Shhhhh! Don’t give the psycholeft any ideas.
I’m a Protestant, but I’ll concede to our Roman Catholic friends the point that if a priest is sexually abusing children he is by very definition unchaste and uncelibate, thereby violating his ordination vows.
To: ReformationFan
Ain’t that the truth.
Catholics need to disown those who claim to be one but disagree with the church on everything. All denominations should/
13
posted on
01/27/2013 3:08:50 PM PST
by
GeronL
(http://asspos.blogspot.com)
To: NYer
Ultimately, however, Peter was the first pope.
I salute your faith... takes faith to believe many things..
Since Jesus came to make all religion and religions obsolete I doubt Peter started one..
I have faith that is true..
14
posted on
01/27/2013 3:17:03 PM PST
by
hosepipe
(This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
To: hosepipe
Since Jesus came to make all religion and religions obsolete I doubt Peter started one.. He didn't. He was an ignorant fisherman. The last thing he ever wanted was to be in charge of the church founded by Jesus Christ. It was not his choice; it was God's. Matthew 16:16-17
15
posted on
01/27/2013 3:29:14 PM PST
by
NYer
("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." --Jeremiah 1:5)
To: hosepipe
Since Jesus came to make all religion and religions obsolete I doubt Peter started one.. But of course Peter did not start one, Jesus Himself did. He anointed Peter as it's first leader, it's rock on which to build.
Matthew 16:18
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."
16
posted on
01/27/2013 3:30:26 PM PST
by
mc5cents
To: hosepipe
17
posted on
01/27/2013 3:33:50 PM PST
by
daniel1212
(Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
To: NYer; hosepipe; ReformationFan; metmom; boatbums; caww; presently no screen name; CynicalBear; ...
We know from Scripture that Peter was married ... but that is all we know. We don't know if his wife was alive or dead. Since he spent most of his time on the road with Christ, one could possibly construe that he was a widower.We know from Scripture that it is not simply the gospels, (Mt. 8:14) which it seems you are affirming Peter being married from, and I think his wife that he was leading a dead wife around on his ministry was quite alive.
"Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? " (1 Corinthians 9:5)
His wife, if she was still alive, was not at his side, when he was crucified upside down in the Coliseum.
As tradition has it, and would apply to all the other married apostles.
18
posted on
01/27/2013 3:44:44 PM PST
by
daniel1212
(Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
To: NYer; hosepipe; ReformationFan; GeronL; Tax-chick; FredZarguna; Salvation; narses
You need to reread the Scriptures, because Paul writes that all the apostles except himself were married.
"Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles,, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?" 1 Cor. 9:5
Paul did not say they were widowers, he said they were married with wives that accompanied them on their journeys. I love it when those defending catholic teachings try to do so when they themselves obviously do not read the Bible. Any high school bible student would know this, but we are to believe that the Catholic church is above reproach in its teachings. Even when they are proven to be wrong tine and time again.
In my opinion, the overall view of Catholicism toward sexuality is thoroughly unbiblical and prudish. Just look at the sexual improprieties among the priesthood which are now becoming known. Then we can understand the seriousness of the problem of practicing this unbiblical teaching.
When men pervert biblical teaching, it always results in serious consequences in real life. Practices of asceticism, such as monasticism and celibacy of the clergy neither promote spiritual growth nor helpful in avoiding sin, as Paul told the Colossians.
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col. 2:20-23)
That being said, I agree with Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians that it is be best if a man or woman can remain celibate, but he did not require it to be. Paul believed, to which I concur, that it is difficult to have 100% devotion to God when you are torn by your devotion to a spouse. However few, and I mean very very few, can remain celibate without being tempted in this world, especially in today's sex charged atmosphere. Paul wrote this in 1 Cor 7:8-9,
But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion
Sadly the Catholic church has taken this passage and made a mockery of what Paul was teaching the Corinthians. My Catholic friends need to spend more time in the word, and less time defending religious traditions that only makes the Word of God of no effect, as Jesus Himself told the Pharisees When he rebuked them in Mark chapter 7.
19
posted on
01/27/2013 4:02:09 PM PST
by
OneVike
(I'm just a Christian waiting to go home)
To: OneVike
I did not defend catholic teaching. They should be able to make their own rules though.
Just look at the sexual improprieties among the priesthood which are now becoming known. Then we can understand the seriousness of the problem of practicing this unbiblical teaching.
The people mentioned in the first sentence are obviously NOT practicing Catholic teaching.
20
posted on
01/27/2013 4:09:50 PM PST
by
GeronL
(http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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