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During this period a man has every opportunity to contemplate his personal sacrifice, which is integral to the sacrament of Holy Orders. The assertion that a man renders his consent to these sacred vows without having a complete understanding of their consequence is absurd.

Maybe that's the case now, but it was not prior to the 1970s and 80s.

I attended a Roman Catholic seminary--THE MOST CONSERVATIVE seminary in the United States---from 1969 to 1976, and there was never a sermon, talk, discussion, retreat subject, meditation, or private spiritual direction about the subject of celibacy. None. Nada. Never.

The assumption was made that, if you were in the seminary, you knew how to handle celibacy.

Most of the men who stand accused of pederasty and ephibophilia are men of that time, and prior, when neither celibacy nor, indeed, sex itself, was discussed, except to condemn all exercise of it.

Thankfully, celibacy is now clearly explained with its implications and obligations. And, thankfully, most men ordained today are in their 30s and out of the testosterone-ridden 20s when men made decisions about a life of celibacy when they were clearly not mature enough to make them.

It is also clear that, as St. Paul said, not many are called to live as he did.

"I attended a Roman Catholic seminary--THE MOST CONSERVATIVE seminary in the United States---from 1969 to 1976, and there was never a sermon, talk, discussion, retreat subject, meditation, or private spiritual direction about the subject of celibacy. None. Nada. Never."

Now, go back and read what I said, specifically: During this period A MAN has every opportunity to CONTEMPLATE HIS personal sacrifice.

How do you extract "communal discussion" from what I have clearly stated here to be ONE MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOBER REFLECTION? There can be no contention of this point, for the consideration is a black and white issue.

"The assumption was made that, if you were in the seminary, you knew how to handle celibacy."

PERSONAL MEDITATION is appropriate to the gravity of the consequence that comes with this most PERSONAL CHOICE. One man taking responsibility for his own actions and decisions is not a difficult concept, or at least that used to be the norm. Sinkspur, do you mean to imply that a man, who has made the profound decision to enter the priesthood, requires "counseling" to make this decision about celibacy? If this is your view of being accountable for one's own actions, then there is no wonder that the Church finds herself in such dire circumstance. A man makes his decisions and then he must live with them--period. There is no "wiggle room" here.

"Thankfully, celibacy is now clearly explained with its implications and obligations."

Just what part of "NO" do they not understand?

"And, thankfully, most men ordained today are in their 30s and out of the testosterone-ridden 20s when men made decisions about a life of celibacy when they were clearly not mature enough to make them."

Then such men were also not mature enough to enter the seminary; and moreover: had the procter been doing his job by the traditional standards of evaluation, such men would not be allowed to finish seminary training. Immaturity on this level would reveal itself at others--the flaw would be obvious--To wit obvious for those who cared to take notice; but then, that IS the problem we are dealing with now: A corrupt seminary system? After all, you did comment that the period of your attendance was 1969-76.

"It is also clear that, as St. Paul said, not many are called to live as he did."

I rest my case.