Sex-abuse scandal was sign of something more widespread, says Fr. Fessio

Cathloc News Agency ^ | 9/23/05 | CNA

[tuesday afternoon]

Washington DC, Sep. 23, 2005 (CNA) - In an interview with the Washington Times regarding the Vatican’s new document which will reportedly bar homosexual men from seminaries, Fr. Joseph Fessio, head of Ignatius Press and provost at Ave Maria University, said that a deep seeded sexual ethics problem lies at the root of the Church’s decision, and of the sex abuse scandal which has come to light in recent years.

"Both the present Holy Father and many Catholic scholars and commentators”, he told the Times, “have realized the sexual-abuse crisis was a sign of something much deeper and more widespread.”

Fr. Fessio pointed to a directive issued by Pope John XXIII in 1961 which said that ordination "should be barred to those who are afflicted with evil tendencies to homosexuality or pederasty, since for them the common life and the priestly ministry would constitute serious dangers."

That directive, he said, has been largely ignored or watered down in subsequent decades.

"There emerged a justification,” he noted, “a whole philosophy saying same-sex attraction is one of God's gifts."

"That's what was so insidious. Now in our present culture -- which is obsessed with sex -- the church must make sure its own ministers are not contaminated by this secularized worldview," he said.

A 2004 fact finding report showed that some 81 percent of the priestly abuse cases involved boys or young men.

Opponents and several gay-rights activist organizations have expressed outrage at the document which is expected to be released in the near future by the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education.

The document reportedly contains no change in Catholic teaching which has consistently held that homosexual men--even celibates--should not be ordained, and that homosexual tendencies point to a deeper disorder.

Likewise, the document is said to encourage already-ordained homosexual priests to make a renewed commitment to living a chaste life.

[IIntense]

"And the real name of the sacrament is actually Penance."

And Masses were said in Latin throughout the United States, eating meat on Fridays was sinful, priests and no others distributed Holy Communion to the Catholic people, and only priests baptized babies and adult converts. In an emergency situation, someone else could baptize.

Regardless of how Catholics responded to the many changes, and I know some were not "comfortable", they had to accept and adjust.

The term Reconciliation was introduced as maybe an easier pill to swallow than Penance or Confession, (just speculating) though these terms have not disappeared.

Many have had, or still have, "pet peeves" about some of these changes. I understand yours but it isn't going away real soon, if ever.

[IIntense]

"What does one have to do with the other?"

While many Catholics may support a priest's right to marry, possibly more may disagree. I haven't taken a poll.

Single men who entered the priesthood to dedicate their lives solely to God made a choice not to marry. For centuries Catholics have experienced and expected their priests to devote themselves to their vocation, to their calling.

If you don't believe that some people will reject the idea that they should be obligated to confess their sins to someone who will then go home to their wife and children to whom they owe much of their lives, I disagree. They become one of us. Will they receive the same reverence that has been accorded Catholic priests? I know of no non-Catholic religion which requires it's congregation to confess sins to their ministers/priests/whoever.

Yes, I know that's just my thought. Plenty of folks open up to psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
They choose to do this; they are not obligated under pain of MORTAL SIN.

Quickly. I was truly surprised on the occasion of one of my grandchildren receiving the Sacrament of Baptism along with a number of other little ones. A deacon performed the baptisms; no priest in sight. It appears we must roll with punches, take it or leave it.

[IIntense]

"There is no real priest shortage".

Please explain. Thanks.

[IIntense]

Having viewed a TV program on the subject of the Catholic Church ordaining married Protestant pastors/ministers, I recall one stating that the most difficult hurdle he had to come to terms with was the infallibility of the Pope.

Since this was a few years back, I would appreciate a concise explanation, in your words, as to why this exception was made. Also, have you always agreed with the decision?

[bornacatholic]

From your post, I can't see an exception was made only that the protestant said infallibility was a hurdle he had to come to terms with. I assume he did and nothiing in your posts indidcates otherwise

[Desdemona]

And Masses were said in Latin throughout the United States,

I believe that it's coming back. It won't be exclusive, but it's coming back.

eating meat on Fridays was sinful,

Little known secret in the Catholic world - some Friday Penance still is, and abstinance from meat was never lifted.

priests and no others distributed Holy Communion to the Catholic people,

In my parish, it's that way.

and only priests baptized babies and adult converts. In an emergency situation, someone else could baptize.

Deacons couldn't?

[Desdemona]

If you don't believe that some people will reject the idea that they should be obligated to confess their sins to someone who will then go home to their wife and children to whom they owe much of their lives, I disagree.

I didn't say I disagree. Quite the opposite. I just don't understand what being married has to do with keeping the seal. My discomfort came more in the matter of not having a screen, or rather a wall with a screen built in.

There are more reasons for a celebate clergy than confession.

[Conservative til I die]

Celibacy is NOT a normal human state for man or woman. To continue to insist upon it and denying that sexuality is one of God's gifts has lead us to this morass.

I am sure Jesus and St. Paul, two of my favorite celibates will be glad to know that. And who says it is abnormal? MTV? Advertisers? People Magazine?

BTW, the Catholic Church has always taught that sexuality is a gift from God, as it allows humans to share in the procreative process with God while allowing a man and a woman to express their love physically to one another. However, the Church has always taught that like all other things, sex has its place. And its place has always been in a state of monogamous matrimony. Most of the other Christian sects taught this as well for most of their histories.

[Conservative til I die]

The term Reconciliation was introduced as maybe an easier pill to swallow than Penance or Confession, (just speculating) though these terms have not disappeared.

I'm not sure on how we got to the Sacrament being called "Reconciliation". But, I always thought of Reconciliation being a two-step process: 1) Confession and 2) Penance. That's how I always tied the three words together, which I've used interchangeably myself.

[Conservative til I die]

Since this was a few years back, I would appreciate a concise explanation, in your words, as to why this exception was made.

I know this wasn't directed to me, but if I could give a quick opinion. The Church has always placed importance on Tradition. In the Western Church, celibacy has long been the Tradition, regardless of why it was implemented. That Tradition has always worked for us. To do a 180 degree turn I think would change things wildly, and not necessarily for the better. The Eastern Churches have always allowed married priests as part of their Tradition, and it's always worked for them so the Pope has allowed that to stay the Tradition. Since it's not doctrine, these kind of variations in Traditions are respected.

I believe for sometime around the turn of the 20th Century, the Church disallowed Eastern Rite Catholics on American soil to follow their tradition of married clergy, and it was very damaging.

As it regards Anglican and Lutheran converts, I believe a different tradition is being respected. Obviously, ANglicans and Lutherans come from a tradition of having married clergy. And since the Church would like these men to continue their Holy Orders under the Catholic Church, and can't reasonably expect these men to divorce their wives and put their kids up for adoption, it makes a special exception for them. Are there other factors involved? Perhaps. But since we're talking about a couple hundred priests at most, it's not really a giant concern right now.

If I'm way off base on any of this, please someone feel free to correct me.

[A.A. Cunningham]

eating meat on Fridays was sinful

We are still required to abstain. You still abstain, right?

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

[phatus maximus]

As the New testament Priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the New Covenant Daily, perpetual continence/celibacy is apt. Now, if this Apostolic Discipline is changed, I will accept it but the intellectual case for its retention is gaining momentum; all the inertia is on the side of it staying a Discipline...

Two questions:

What sacrifice does the New Testament Priest offer daily and where in scripture was he commanded to be celibate?

Who is the new testament priest?

[Grampa Dave]

The new Pope is doing an excellent rehab job re dealing with homosexuals in the priesthood and in seminaries.

[little jeremiah]

Looks like I missed pinging this one. Get to it later if need be. There's so many! Can't ping 'em all.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

Looks like I missed this one. Excellent angle - the idiotic craziness of calling Same Sex Attraction a "gift from God". Justifying it like that is a sign of horrible spiritual sickness.

Freepmail me AND DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pinglist.

[RobbyS]

The Church might allow married men to be priests, and in fact does on occasion. Permanent deacons are usually married men. But according to the Christian tradition, which includes the eastern churches, No ordained person is allowed to marry. I am sure you understand that Protestant ministers are not ordained as Catholics or Othodox understand the word. There is among you no priestly "order" separate from the order of all other Christians.

[SaintDismas]

You are in essence saying that we are all no better than just a bunch of barnyard animals who "HAVE TO" have it. You must be saying that you yourself are enslaved to your flesh. Most people do have sexual impulses, that is natural for sure. But following God in this way as a priest is otherworldly, and I think that all of us better get used to this otherworld life, because its gonna be a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, really really really really long time we're gonna be spending with God or Satan, and I have heard (sarc) that none of us will be having sex in either place. Sex is a worldly thing. If we can't wrap our minds around that thought, then prayer and endless amounts of it are seriously needed.

Remember all: We know for sure that Jesus said that my kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD. He also said that no one will be married or given in marriage in heaven.

[RobbyS]

Maybe we should not permit boys to serve at mass? ;-)

[RobbyS]

My understand is that it was that married men were allowed to become priests AND bishops.

[SaintDismas]

Can't you say something more profound?