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To: sinkspur
There aren't many men who are called to life-long celibacy, Suzi.

The men I've known who are priests and, I believe, life long celibates are truly good men. I read an interesting quote from then Cardinal Ratzinger, about celibacy that spoke of that charism in a way I'd never heard before. I'm paraphraising, of course, but he spoke of children as a way for people to leave a little bit of themselves behind in this world, and that the world looks strangely upon someone who would choose to deny themselves that opportunity. He considered his life and his service to the Church his gift to God and the world, and prayed that he would leave something of himself behind in those whom he led to a deeper life in Jesus.

Why celibacy is not taught in these terms is a wonder to me.

359 posted on 04/20/2005 3:03:19 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: SuziQ
He considered his life and his service to the Church his gift to God and the world, and prayed that he would leave something of himself behind in those whom he led to a deeper life in Jesus.

Celibacy is not required in order to "leave something of one's self behind" for Jesus.

Celibacy is a radical renunciation of the world in order to follow the Lord. But celibacy is secondary to the availability of the Eucharist to every Catholic who hungers for it.

If men are not going to embrace a celibate priesthood, (and they are not embracing it in the United States), then the Church will have to call non-celibates, as it has done and continues to do, as long as they pass themselves through the Anglican Church first.

365 posted on 04/20/2005 9:22:12 PM PDT by sinkspur (If you want unconditional love with skin, and hair and a warm nose, get a shelter dog.)
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