Catholic Scandals: A Crisis for Celibacy?

Touchstone Magazine ^ | March/April, 2002 | Leon J. Podles, Ph. D.

[Romulus]

Lengthy, but worthwhile.

[Romulus]

FYI -- one of the very best things I've read on the whole sordid mess.

[Romulus]

bump

[MWS]

It was at least nice to hear someone speaking of the good parts of celibacy, especially at a time when it is under attack from many sides...

[Romulus]

ping

[Romulus]

ping.

[Askel5]

I still want to see Patent's presentation. Frankly, if Fr. Klores and the Rectory are interested, I'd like to hold a meeting after Easter with the Young Adults, et al. and use it then, if that's okay with you, patent. I know VinnyTex is anxious for an answer on whether or not it's really "Notre Flame".

With help from a couple of magicians, should have the forum portion of the ConSpiratio up and running within the week. This means I'd REALLY like to have copies of the first meeting's papers to put online.

(Save mine, perhaps, which -- as I mentioned -- was the victim of technical diffulties. For now, my contributions will remain in the hosting domain. =)

[livius]

What an excellent article!

[cornelis]

one of the very best things I've read on the whole sordid mess.

The sorry mess will eventually be understood as symptomatic not of the priesthood but of "we the people" if not the West.

[cornelis]

Thanks for posting.

[AlguyA]

bump and a bookmark. Very good read. May this time of Triduum be a time of prayer and renewal for our priests, our bishops and ourselves.

Peace.

[eastsider]

I'm curious what became of the book, "Celibacy in the Early Church" by Stefan Heid, that I sent for your get together.

[ibme]

true pedophilia is extremely rare
which can lead to sexual relations with sexually mature but underage boys

OK, so now they are no longer children but sexually mature but underage
Pull your pants leg up, it’s getting deep.

Is this the daily whitewashing posting?

[Pietro]

A nice article, thanks for posting it.

[ELS]

...for centuries the churches of Western Christianity have been seen by both men and women as belonging to the feminine sphere of life, just like nursing, cooking, and the care of small children. Consequently, men who are attracted to careers in the Church often have a weak sense of masculinity, have difficulty dealing with men and therefore prefer to deal mostly with women, and have personalities that tend to pick up a feminine savor; they are, in short, more or less effeminate.

I haven't read his book, but centuries? I can see decades (as in, since Vatican II). I realize it's anecdotal, but the priests I know who were ordained before VII are not effeminate.

Overall, it was a very good and insightful article. Thanks, Romulus.

[eastsider]

[W]e must look at the history of clerical celibacy. The tradition ... dates back to apostolic times. From the fourth century we find widespread (although not unanimous) evidence that the Church indeed ordained married men, but expected them to refrain from relations after marriage. Early Christians felt great (although perhaps not totally warranted) confidence in the ability of Christians to remain continent within and outside marriage.

This would indicate to me that continence dates back to apostolic times, not celibacy.

[JesusIsLord]

Sounds like the chickens are coming home to roost. Unfortunately these chickens are chicken-hawks!

To my Roman Catholic friends I say, I pray that the Lord and the law cleans your house of all its filth!

Have a Happy Easter Everyone!

[cornelis]

St. Gregory wrote an entire treatise on virginity. He himself was married. The ascetic movement has some of its roots in Greek thought.

[joathome]

"Would ending celibacy perhaps at least provide more candidates for a shrinking Catholic clergy? But the mainline denominations have also all been hit with a clergy shortage, even though half of their seminary students are now women."

For an otherwise well written article, he still doesn't get it. LIBERAL churches are in decline, and so are their seminaries. Conservative churches, for the most part, having growing membership, and have no problem attracting ministers--MALE, ministers. :)

[eastsider]

IMO, there was enough variety in Greek thought to support every sort of discipline and lack thereof. But I digress. : ) The overwhelming support for celibacy and continence seems to have been the desire to emulate Jesus and his apostles.