[Antoninus]

It's time to stop apologizing for celibacy, and start promoting it more vigorously than ever.

A good article from a mainstream Catholic newspaper. Deacons take note...

[sinkspur]

Deacons take note...

Discussion of celibacy is a very good thing.

[Antoninus]

Ping

[Loyalist]

Celibacy PING.

[Polycarp]

Thanks for posting this.

Ping. (As usual, if you would like to be added to or removed from my "conservative Catholics" ping list, just send me a FReepmail. Please realize that some of my "ping" posts are long.)

[GirlShortstop]

Another married priest, Father Richard Bradford of Brighton, Mass., told the Register, "My wife, Judie, defends celibacy because she sees firsthand the responsibilities I have to my Church."

Father Bradford's statement caught my eye.  I was taught (and try to always practice) that when introducing someone, you should first use the introductee's name followed by your relationship to that person.  This stresses your respect of the individual, independent of your relationship to them.

Anyway, I do not believe that Father Bradford's words are meant to convey anything other than what he's identified as the importance of his role as a priest.  I contemplate:  a priest's relationship with Christ should be the foremost driving force in his life; celibacy not only enforces that relationship, but with grace, makes the sacrament of holy orders more meaningful.  I can not help but recall the passage from Matthew regarding two masters  as well.  FReegards.

[hardhead]

Okay, call me old-fashioned or a blind, following Catholic, but this is one of the best treatises on celibacy that I have read. It reinforces my own thoughts that a priest cannot be both married and a priest - effectively. And I'm glad to see that celibacy is not tied to the sex scandals. Do you remember when Jesus said, in effect, to the apostle candidates: "Leave your family and follow me." He knew what He had known from all eternity. There are two distinct culprits for the sex scandals, 'ol satan himself (trying to destroy the Church from within) and those who fell into sin, committed the atrocities and became valets of the evil one.

[AnAmericanMother]

I notice this article mentions Atlanta as a diocese with healthy vocations.

Does this mean that Atlanta's archbishop and the diocese trend orthodox/conservative? I know that we have a Latin Mass parish, I assume no screaming liberal bishop would allow THAT.

Anybody know the archbishop here and/or the temperature of the diocese?

Inquiring breakaway Episcopalian minds want to know . . .

thanx

[Modernman]

I don't know if celibacy is the way to go. After all, celibacy of priests is a fairly new concept, brought about by financial considerations more than anything else.

My biggest complaint regarding Catholic priests not being able to mary is that celibate priests have little credibility when trying to give advice abourt marriage, relationships etc. It keeps them out of touch with a very important part of the lives of their flock.

The Orthodox Church has always allowed priests to marry. We haven't seen any sex scandals in the Orthodox Church.

Finally, allowing married priests would encourage men to become priests and lower the percentage of homosexuals in the ministry. With a larger pool of priest-applicants to choose from, the Catholic Church could do a better job of screening out potentially problematic candidates.

[Pahuanui]

Father James Parker of Charleston, S.C., was a married Protestant minister who was allowed to become a married Catholic priest after his conversion. He told us a few years ago, "People who think celibacy is difficult and should not be a requirement for priests don't understand the sacrament of marriage or the nature of the priesthood."

Another married priest, Father Richard Bradford of Brighton, Mass., told the Register, "My wife, Judie, defends celibacy because she sees firsthand the responsibilities I have to my Church."

Dog, meet manger. Manger, meet dog.