A message from Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J.

Ignatius Press ^ | Apr.27, 2002 | Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

I have not consciously used "libs" or "liberals" with regard to celibacy questions exclusively. Whether linkage with the pedophile/sex abuse scandals is a prudent course for theological and canonical debates on celibacy is, I think, debatable. Everyone with a position on this will argue for their own point of view. Being neither celibate nor a priest, perhaps I'm not the best expert to debate either way. I've known excellent celibate priests who I think are/were neither homosexual, nor abusive.

[pro-life]

the problem here is that there are sodomite priests. these are all cases of sodomy against young boys, and the way to deal with this is to make sure that no sodomites are allowed into the priesthood. right now, the priesthood is seen as a great option by many sodomites because they are not allowed to be married, so people dont look at it as strange that they are not married. allowing priests to marry would alleviate this problem. paul said that he wishes everybody could be called to celibacy, however not everybody is, and not all priests are called to celibacy. therefore, Rome should not force this on people, considering that God did say that it is good to marry, and that bishops should be married.

[eastsider]

I have not consciously used "libs" or "liberals" with regard to celibacy questions exclusively.

Many thanks for the reply. Attempts to consider relaxing mandatory celibacy is usually met with strong opposition on this forum (FR attracts one tough crowd!), especially during the present crisis when all our nerves are frayed. So, my apologies for misunderstanding your previous post -- let's just say I'm a little sensitive about the word "liberal." : )

God bless.

[OxfordMovement]

The real question isn't celibacy or marriage. The real question is holiness. The active homosexuals have to be there by intentional infiltration. This sort of thing doesn't just happen.

As an ex-Episcopalian I don't look at married clergy or anything as a cure-all for what ails the Church. But I do think the largest part of the answer lies in the universal call to holiness, a call which is as much for the celibate monk or nun as it is for the married couple.

[sinkspur]

The real question is holiness.

Well, duh.

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

Nobody's looking for a "cure all"; just an alternative to what seems to be an overwhelming sexually active gay presence in the priesthood.

[sinkspur]

The real question is holiness.

Well, duh.

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

Nobody's looking for a "cure all"; just an alternative to what seems to be an overwhelming sexually active gay presence in the priesthood.

[OxfordMovement]

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

If that is what you think the universal call to holiness is, I am saddened for you.

[history_matters]

Thank you for your non-Catholic advice. Married men may be ordained to the priesthood in the 20 plus Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

[history_matters]

The active homosexuals have to be there by intentional infiltration. This sort of thing doesn't just happen.

There are all sorts of anti-apostles who have made there way into the Church to destroy it. But they will not prevail. Christ wins.

[eastsider]

Married men may be ordained to the priesthood in the 20 plus Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

I'm not so sure that the Eastern-rite Catholics are permitted to exercise this part of their rite in this jurisdiction (i.e., the land of the free).

[history_matters]

They are now under the new Code of Canon Law.

[sinkspur]

If that is what you think the universal call to holiness is, I am saddened for you.

The "call to holiness" should be a given to people devoted to the religious life. Asserting that prayer and rededication to following Christ is all that is needed to deal with the present crisis is too facile. Bishops are going to have to be more open with their people or they will never regain the trust of those people.

[Lady In Blue]

Thanks very much for your bump! Way to go Fr.Fessio!

[eastsider]

Very welcome good news! Tx. : )

[ELS]

Rome should not force this on people

No one is forced to become a Catholic priest.

[history_matters]

Bishops are going to have to be more open with their people or they will never regain the trust of those people.

If they would dress in sackcloth and ashes that would be a good start IMO.

[tiki]

Having lost confidence in the Princes of the Church, I am ready for a greater role for laity in the governance ... but I honestly don't know the what or how of that -- I just know the foxes guarding the hen house have to go.

Okay, there are too many bad priests because even one is too many but don't forget that there are good ones out there too. As for the laity I think we have to remember "that all politics are local" that is where we can have the greatest impact. We can ask our priests to be faithful to the faith, we can encourage the ones who do and fight against the ones who don't.

The hierarchy is what helps to keep the Catholic Church, Catholic and we need to recognize the Pharisees and listen to Jesus through the Bible, when they are speaking the Truth we need to listen. We need to do as they say, not as they do. God will judge them and the souls that were hurt by their sinfulness and deception.

On this board there are mostly conservative Catholics but I think that throughout the US we are outnumbered by the liberal Catholics and they support the priests who hold their same views.

What we are going through right now reminds me of the OT. The Israelites were always pushing God to the limit and then something awful would happen and God would rescue them and once again they'd turn back to God. It won't be any different this time and all we can do is remain true to God and weather the storm.

Just a few disconnected thoughts.

[pro-life]

yes, but many people may be called to lead in this way, yet not called to celibacy.

[saradippity]

I am always surprised when people "slip" in the fact that "after all the apostles were married",when debating the celibacy issue. Give me one example that supports that statement. And please don't use Peter. The most that can be verified in the 4 Gospels is that Peter was married at one time. He had a mother-in-law,that we learn in each of the gospels. But it is possible that a mother outlives her child,my mother-in-law was 58 when my husband died and she lived until she was 78.

With regards Matthew 19:23-30,my Douay-Rheims has "wife",listed immediately before children.So why would one advocate for the married priest when it seems clear that Jesus is asking that all these things be given up to follow Him? Does that make any sense to you?