Some critics of celibacy felt bolstered by the scant references to married clergy in the New Testament, and yet such evidence was hardly conclusive. Were the children of priests conceived before or after the men were ordained? There is growing historical evidence that married men, in agreement with their wives, set aside a sexual life for the sake of the faith community and in respect to the Eucharist. This might seem nonsensical to us today but the Church, early on, placed a significant meritorious value in celibate discipleship. It is the witness of the apostles who abandoned their families and earthly work to follow Christ. It is the realization of the calling given the rich man to sell all he has, to give it to the poor and then to follow Jesus. It is a level of sacrifice that the world does not want to understand. We must be honest. Many of our own people, baptized Catholics, are more formed by the world than by the Gospel. That is why they fail to understand and thus undermine the great gift of single-hearted virginal love.
Celibacy was not inflicted upon the Church simply to make life difficult. It was composed to substantiate the best form of ministerial discipleship and to bring errant men back to a holiness of life. Celibacy was not a medicine against marriage, because matrimony was no disease. Rather, it was an antidote to divided hearts, mistresses, illegitimate children, and other forms of wrongdoing and/or sin. The resources of the faith community were being exploited by unscrupulous men and wrongly passed on to their offspring. Celibacy was the Church’s way of shouting, enough! Similarly today, the problem is not celibacy but rather the failure to remain faithful to this chaste way of loving. It is no wonder that the ire of Christ was most raised by the evil of hypocrisy.
Filed under: Anti-Catholicism, Apologetics, Bible, Catholic, Celibacy, Discipleship, Marriage, Priests, Religion, Sacraments, Sexuality, Sin |
Blogger Priest 
Sometimes, at work, I find myself feeling down about the worth of my work. And then I write out a list of things which I have done in the last 90 days or 180 days. This always helps – we actually do far, far more than we give ourselves credit for doing. The point: there is much that we do not perceive in the present about the true worth of our good works.
Sometimes, when I go to the doctor, I expect to be hurt, especially by the stick of a needle. We all know the saying, “no pain, no gain.” But the last time that I went for a physical, I was utterly amazed. As I sat there, the technician actually stuck my arm and drew two vials of blood without me feeling a thing. No pain! So, isn’t it possible to heal or treat a patient without actually causing pain? I think so. We just need to think it through and pray for the Holy Spirit to make us kind and gentle and compassionate in the way in which we help people. God the Father will “make it so”! 🙂
It may be that I should one day speak more about the notion of wounded healer? My view of such was very influenced by the late moral theologian, Monsignor William B. Smith. It is a rather complex matter because we are dealing with the priestly heart. We want to stand for what is right and give the proper service; and yet such witness can cost the priest dearly. Not only must the priest have the fortitude to remain true to his promises when the heartstrings have been tugged; he must also deal with the fact that his sacrifice may not be understood or appreciated by the very people for whom he offered himself to God. Priests want to bring healing. They love God but care deeply for people. It is painful for them to hurt others, even if they must take hard stands or practice “tough love.” Brother priests might also disappoint them and when scandal abounds, they might wonder quietly as to what kind of brotherhood they have joined. When I was a young priest, just the effort of counseling and confession devastated me. Sin was deeply entrenched in people’s lives. Every commandment was broken. I wanted to fix and heal things that only God and time might repair. Every night, then and now, I pray for those I have encountered— those who have fallen away and those who are trying to come home. It is hard not to allow their tears to become your tears. I have never learned the level of detachment that some priests speak about. Everything is felt deeply. These reflections have been about chastity; but the greatest sacrifice I have found might be that of obedience. We go where we are sent. We do what we are told to do. We say what we have been given to say. I have never had a conflict with the Gospel; however, the practical and administrative things about priesthood have been an added cross for me. These days I can’t even get a pipe fixed or a shingle repaired without lawyers approving contracts. It is maddening.
God love you.
I understand your woundedness Father Joe. I applaud the concept of a “wounded healer.” That is very wonderful and true and lovely indeed. Thank you.
You stated: “It would seem from your comment that you do not accept the traditional view of consecrated virginity as having a heightened meritorious value in the pursuit of spiritual perfection.” Also, by “inhuman” I intend “supernatural” and almost impossible to successfully maintain without the help of God’s Grace and without constant fidelity and obedience to God. I made a poor choice of words.
I do accept the tradition of the West regarding celibacy. But I also accept the truth that even those who enter into a vow of celibacy can and do violate the vow in their wandering from time to time – some do so egregiously. I do not accept the violation, but I do accept that God is Merciful to those who have wandered and returned with contrition and sorrow.
My primary concern with your post is that it tended toward being divisive and uncharitable toward your brother married priests in light of the fact that the Pope invited and still invites them into full communion with the Church – to be treated with dignity. It would be better to support the intent of the Pope and to embrace your brother priests AND their families as they are while also retaining the Western tradition of celibacy for priests and religious. We can live together without envy, without strife and in humility, treating each other as we: ALL of us sinful but not without faith, hope and love.
My impression is that you are trying to make your brother married priests feel as though they are a lower class of priest. I really don’t like this entry – not charitable, and it is presumptuous, and what of their wives?
Also, you mention “growing evidence.” Could you please cite your sources for this growing evidence? Please be specific and direct; I would like to read the evidence for the sake of knowing the truth. I’m starting to believe that humanity should have died out because it is “holier than thou” if no one has sexual relations. Good grief.
Indeed – if the Good Lord has graced someone with “fire” of charity such that they devote their life to pure discipleship (or other higher calling) with no time for raising a family, then WONDERFUL! But I don’t see that kind of “fire” very often within the ministerial priesthood. I see human beings who are sinful like lay people – but who have been given many more tools and safeguards against sinning…but still sin. But I am not a Donatist; I believe in the Power of God working in His Priests. And I support my Priests, even in their sinfulness.
Also, your entry is written as though Priests, in general, are without sin if they, at least appear to be celibate. You and I know that priests are just as human as the lay faithful (who are married and having sexual relations) and that even lay faithful who have married and have an active sexual life have been named saints.
If everyone had “virginal love,” would the human race be here? God commanded Adam to be fruitful and multiply; he made Abraham into a great multitude. This requires sexual relations – and God has blessed it.
Somehow, I think it better to focus on the prospect of remaining celibate simply because a person a) is not married or b) is not intending to marry. And if the sin, they should be sorry and confess and be reconciled according to God’s great Mercy.
I don’t understand how we can inflict such hard, in-human standards on people who God has designed to procreate. Yes, let man make vows to God to be celibate, but please don’t make sexuality into something to be shunned – and ESPECIALLY do not embarrass and harass your brother priests who are married and have a duty to their spouses. Please.