1
- Status
1
105lynne
Guest
The bottom line is this…no matter what path you choose, sacrifices are inevitable. A priest sacrifices a sex life, kids, wife, etc…, what about married men who must remain faithful to their wife (sexually, emotionally, etc…). Some would argue that being monogamous isn’t natural for a man either. I guess it all is up to the particular individual and what they feel is and isn’t necessary in their life. When I had kids, there were MANY sacrifices involved. No more late night dates, no more sleepful nights, no more uninterrupted bathroom breaks or showers, no more alone time with the husband. But, because of the love I have for those kids, it’s worth it to me (and most all moms, I would imagine).
I trust that those who are truly called to a religious life have something in them that we don’t understand. Love is an amazing thing. If God told me I had to remain celibate and live the rest of my life alone and as a servant to others in order to save my children’s souls, I would do it in a hot minute! Perhaps these folks truly called have that same loving drive. I would love to live my life as selflessly as good priests and nuns do!
I trust that those who are truly called to a religious life have something in them that we don’t understand. Love is an amazing thing. If God told me I had to remain celibate and live the rest of my life alone and as a servant to others in order to save my children’s souls, I would do it in a hot minute! Perhaps these folks truly called have that same loving drive. I would love to live my life as selflessly as good priests and nuns do!
K
KathleenGee
Guest
Celibacy became the discipline in the Roman Church after alot of scandals by married priests having affairs and illegitimate children with the laity not mused about supporting them.
And we wonder as well during the time of the Acts of the Apostles of how much they fully remained focused on marital life. There were many celibate followers of Christ, in early Christian times sex was seen primarily for procreation. There were thsoe who were martyred because they wished to remain virgins. It is hard to imagine anyone desiring to be celibate today, because of the norm of artificial contraception.
Contraception and the pill have brought about tremendous scandals to morality with the disregard for the sanctity of marriage and fidelity to one’s spouse; many heterosexuals want relationships without marriage…that is now the most damaging to their children born of such unions, while homosexuals want marriage legal for them.
You think how Planned Parenthood is pushing sex on our teens, because teen pregnancy is the least tolerated in society…so having sexually active teens is a good means to keeping abortion legal.
And how many children are conceived from pornography but then aborted.
Certainly…we are all called to sacrifice, unique to us that is a cross, to another, it is not.
I have met and worked with many wonderful priests, and their lives have been so full and happy; they are not pining away for marriage. They know they were created with a different constitution, and that theirs is a calling by Christ.
About the sex abuse case…recent stats I came across was that 1% of the Latin Rite (celibate clergy) that committed crimes of pedophilia was about 1%; 4% was homosexual. And – the deviancy that exists in all social institutions irregardless of their means and charisms is about 3% or so.
Also, those charged had a propensity of being priests during the sexual revolution of the late 60’s and 70’s when social breakdown was also affecting all of our social institutions throughout the Western world.
The Orthodox have their celibates as well as married, and there are married clergy who admit to Latin rite priests that they wish they could have remained celibate because they can see being in the Lord’s service can require their entire life.
I think people may be should recall the early Christians and see what a counter cultural statement it could be to the world to give one’s life totally to Christ to prayer, living out the Gospel with the values of the Beatitudes. Afterall, there are now 165 million orphans in the world without parents, who need individuals to give their lives totally for them.
And we wonder as well during the time of the Acts of the Apostles of how much they fully remained focused on marital life. There were many celibate followers of Christ, in early Christian times sex was seen primarily for procreation. There were thsoe who were martyred because they wished to remain virgins. It is hard to imagine anyone desiring to be celibate today, because of the norm of artificial contraception.
Contraception and the pill have brought about tremendous scandals to morality with the disregard for the sanctity of marriage and fidelity to one’s spouse; many heterosexuals want relationships without marriage…that is now the most damaging to their children born of such unions, while homosexuals want marriage legal for them.
You think how Planned Parenthood is pushing sex on our teens, because teen pregnancy is the least tolerated in society…so having sexually active teens is a good means to keeping abortion legal.
And how many children are conceived from pornography but then aborted.
Certainly…we are all called to sacrifice, unique to us that is a cross, to another, it is not.
I have met and worked with many wonderful priests, and their lives have been so full and happy; they are not pining away for marriage. They know they were created with a different constitution, and that theirs is a calling by Christ.
About the sex abuse case…recent stats I came across was that 1% of the Latin Rite (celibate clergy) that committed crimes of pedophilia was about 1%; 4% was homosexual. And – the deviancy that exists in all social institutions irregardless of their means and charisms is about 3% or so.
Also, those charged had a propensity of being priests during the sexual revolution of the late 60’s and 70’s when social breakdown was also affecting all of our social institutions throughout the Western world.
The Orthodox have their celibates as well as married, and there are married clergy who admit to Latin rite priests that they wish they could have remained celibate because they can see being in the Lord’s service can require their entire life.
I think people may be should recall the early Christians and see what a counter cultural statement it could be to the world to give one’s life totally to Christ to prayer, living out the Gospel with the values of the Beatitudes. Afterall, there are now 165 million orphans in the world without parents, who need individuals to give their lives totally for them.
G
Gift_from_God
Guest
I have doubts about sex abuse being connected to celibacy. I think most rational adults don’t prey on children if they have no love in their life. I do think the Church should reconsider its position on priests marrying. We used to let priests wed and Saint Peter had a mother-in-law. Priests also have feelings and are capable of romantic love as well.
P
pcordero
Guest
I agree with Pope Pius’ answer. Priests act in the person of Christ and try to follow his example. Jesus probably had in mind that the wife of a priest would root him more onto Earth because he would have to care for her and his children. Having a wife might would also weaken the chastity of a priest. St. Alphonsus de Liguori even advises priests in Dignity and Duties of the Priest to have as least human contact as possible.
R
Rence
Guest
No offense, but I think this is what it boils down to: politics and money. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t fault you, but that’s what it boils down to: what happens with the money.
Well, I don’t know how the EC or the Rabbi’s make it work, but obviously it works as they’ve been doing it just fine. If you’re curious enough about it, ask on the EO forum…
Again, you have the right to your opinion, and if you feel you would like to go into the priesthood and can’t handle a wife and children being part of it, then you certainly should remain single. But to say that having a wife and children makes a priest incompetent is not fair to the examples in the EC and Jewish communities.
I don’t mind you being gruff. Your opinion is your opinion and mine is mine. I think it’s a shame that 95 percent of the high school seminary preparatory students that I knew while growing up decided not to pursue the seminary because they wanted families, my brother included. In fact, my brother talked about converting to EC and getting married, and becoming a priest that way. He never followed through with that. I think he felt odd being a different religion than my mom, and I think that’s the only reason why he didn’t follow through. I wish he would have done that. I hope that RC priests have that opportunity and would welcome it. I do think they will in the future, it’s just a matter of time. Some people will be upset about it and some will celebrate it: just like anything else.I must also beg your pardon if I seemed too blunt or “gruff” in this post. I meant no offense, just trying to understand as you do.
~ Pius :knight1:
K
KathleenGee
Guest
No it isn’t about money or power, but following the counsels of Christ Himself…total giving for the kingdom…St. Paul says life lived totally for the Lord is better, St. Augustine, St. Ambrose…bishops to be celibate to avoid being in the position of favoritism…
the discussion and leaning for celibacy going way back to the 200 AD’s…
If a man seeking the priesthood wants to marry, he can enter into the Eastern rite. The Latin rite will never change.
the discussion and leaning for celibacy going way back to the 200 AD’s…
If a man seeking the priesthood wants to marry, he can enter into the Eastern rite. The Latin rite will never change.
R
Rence
Guest
I think it’s totally about money and politics. What Christ said or didn’t say is a moot point because the Church teaches that it speaks on behalf of Christ. So whatever they say is like Christ saying it himself. The fact that priests used to get married in the first couple centuries is evidence that it wasn’t always that way. When the Church was first established priests could be married. They changed it, as you say, in the 200s. If not later than that. And the EO which also has apolostic sucession allows it…
I’m sure that entering the Eastern rite in order to enjoy marriage and priesthood is very palatable for a lot of people. Until priests are allowed to marry in the Latin rite, that will have to suffice. And I’m sure the Latin rite will change…it’s just a matter of time.
D
domandcarols
Guest
P
PbloPicasso
Guest
I always know a thread is about to be closed when I see the narcissistic avatars with attached slogans displayed. Time to run for the hill, lest we be caught in the quake.
M
mikemosier
Guest
I don’t think that anyone can NOT benefit from having the right marriage. Sometimes we think in such traditional terms! 
I’ve met many wonderful pastors who have made real and positive differences in peoples lives, all while being married. Yes, there are risks, but that is the nature of the human being. They had a really good article on this at free couples counseling the other day.
I’ve met many wonderful pastors who have made real and positive differences in peoples lives, all while being married. Yes, there are risks, but that is the nature of the human being. They had a really good article on this at free couples counseling the other day.
B
Bl_Pope_Pius_IX
Guest
No, my talking about the money is simply bringing the productivity of a non-celibate priesthood into play. In heory it may sound grand (though for me, it doesn’t) but in practice it simply does not.
How do you know that they’ve been doing it just fine if you don’t know how it works?
I googled it but it had no informative responses.What I am saying is that the pros of a celibate Priesthood outnumber the cons.
In my opinion a celibate priest is better off than a non-celibate priest.
However, I do not just base my reasons off of opinion, no. Most of what I say (save the parts of “money and politics”) are based off Church teaching as confirmed in the Encyclical Sacerdotalis Caelibatus.
To quote the Encyclical:
Sacerdotalis Caelibatus(Paul VI):
This, I quoted, because I feel it is important. I feel it is the most persuasive out of all the reasons listed in the Encyclical.
It will not happen. The more time celibacy has confirms its future. To go back on the Church’s pronouncement of the discipline would not be good, and would instead compromise the over 1,000 years of a celibate priesthood. In otherwords, once you go celibate, there is no going back. If your brother was discerning the priesthood and went with marriage instead - fine. I suppose God just didn’t want him as a Priest. That is what discernment is for.
Hypothetically speaking, why shouldn’t we have a Polygamist priesthood as well? I mean, Moses had many wives, David had many wives, they all had plenty of wives, why can’t Priests? Infact, if the Church doesn’t adopt a Polygamist Priesthood, I’m converting to Islam so I can be a polygamist Imam. Now obviously that all sounds absurd, and I hope you get my comparison. We have to draw the line somewhere. And that some things just aren’t compatible with the Priesthood in the Latin Rite.
K
KathleenGee
Guest
Rence…
Study the history of celibacy and you will see how far the call to celibacy went back in ancient Christianity…We have to remember it is Jesus Christ Himself through the Holy Spirit Who is the life of the Church, not money or politics…
It is all about total service to the Lord and impartiality. We have to remember that the Catholic Church is being led by the Holy Spirit through the primacy of Peter and those bishops in communion with it.
If our Church operated from the stand of money or politics, we would have been gone a long time ago…
Thank God, the Latin rite is based on the full gospel of Jesus Christ…go sell all that you have … follow Me…
The world is now in need of the celibate witness of faith more than ever.
Study the history of celibacy and you will see how far the call to celibacy went back in ancient Christianity…We have to remember it is Jesus Christ Himself through the Holy Spirit Who is the life of the Church, not money or politics…
It is all about total service to the Lord and impartiality. We have to remember that the Catholic Church is being led by the Holy Spirit through the primacy of Peter and those bishops in communion with it.
If our Church operated from the stand of money or politics, we would have been gone a long time ago…
Thank God, the Latin rite is based on the full gospel of Jesus Christ…go sell all that you have … follow Me…
The world is now in need of the celibate witness of faith more than ever.
R
rinnie
Guest
What would marriage help a sick person who hurts kids? If marriage is the answer why do Men hurt their won children.Does anyone think that Catholic priests could benifit from being married? With all the pedophelia controversy on the news I wondered if this would be a reasonable suggestion to help the problem.
Thanks for reading and answering,
Protestant Me
I do not understand this kind of thinking at all.
A person rather a Priest, Man women etc that hurt kids is a very sick person. If only marriage could be the solution.
J
JamestheOlder
Guest
I’m not sure why we keep talking about the “recent” application of celibacy. Celibacy has been a revered discipline of the Church since the time of Christ (and because of his example). That priests were EVER married seems to be condition permitted by Paul…if you can’t handle this discipline, better be married. And this applies to the Eastern Church, as well. Celebacy is truly revered in the entire Catholic Church, though not always practiced.
We want our priests to be holy. Give them a break; support their choice to live as celibate examples of the Christ. It is a discipline which they, as lay and religious as well, seek to exercise to bring themselves closer to G-d.
All monks, hermits, Desert Fathers, nuns and any other vowed religious (except “Third” Orders) practice celibacy; yet we are only arguing about priests.
Why?
We want our priests to be holy. Give them a break; support their choice to live as celibate examples of the Christ. It is a discipline which they, as lay and religious as well, seek to exercise to bring themselves closer to G-d.
All monks, hermits, Desert Fathers, nuns and any other vowed religious (except “Third” Orders) practice celibacy; yet we are only arguing about priests.
Why?
R
rinnie
Guest
I am a little confused by your statement. Ever since I was a child I was told that when Christ calls you to be a Priest you either answer that call or you don’t. If Christ calls a Man to be a Priest and join the Roman Order who are we to say that he should marry? When the Roman Order of the Priesthood is called to not have a wife.
Of course Priest are capable of a Romantic love life, but thats what they Choose to give up for the sake of Christ. I think people sometimes forget what being called to be a Roman Catholic Priest consists of.
If a Man wants to marry he can indeed become a Priest but was not called to the Roman order.
R
rinnie
Guest
Really? What do you think about the Apostle Saint Paul, what about Jesus? What about the millions of Nuns and Priests who only have one thing on their Mind serving ONE GOD.I don’t think that anyone can NOT benefit from having the right marriage. Sometimes we think in such traditional terms!
What do you think of what St Paul saying that it is better that a Man not marry? So then St Paul is wrong? What is it about a Man or Woman for that matter giving up their life to serve GOD and only God. Why is that so hard for People to accept.
Why does one have to have a marriage and a family. The bible says we are all called to do different things. I guess that does not matter anymore. It seems this becomes more and more the word of Man then God anymore.
H
hockeyfan
Guest
Matthew 19:12Does anyone think that Catholic priests could benifit from being married? With all the pedophelia controversy on the news I wondered if this would be a reasonable suggestion to help the problem.
Thanks for reading and answering,
Protestant Me
Then you have 2 Corinthians 7:1-7
I would argue that St. Paul was saying celibacy should be for the few who can handle it. St. Paul hits it again later in the same chapter. 2 Corinthians 7:32-35
Lets just put it this way. Celibacy is not for the faint of heart. If it is a calling of a man/woman to be a priest/nun, and they have the calling to live out a life of chastity, then they should do it. It is not a calling for everyone, or even most people, but it is a great spiritual path.
C
ComeHome2Rome
Guest
Catholics would have to disagree with you on two issues:
- Each and every priest made their own free-will choice to not “make” children
- Every priest, is a very real Father and is raising up families in Christ!
B
Birdpreacher
Guest
Yes! Let them get married! We would actually have priests from AMerica Again! I love the Indian priest at my Church but there is definitely some cultural disconnect.
Would you be a priest if it was your best ticket out of a 3rd world Country/ poverty?
THats what Tom Cruise did, but he didn’t stick around. Imagine if he were as passionate about being a priest as he was about scientology, he would’ve been Pope!
Would you be a priest if it was your best ticket out of a 3rd world Country/ poverty?
THats what Tom Cruise did, but he didn’t stick around. Imagine if he were as passionate about being a priest as he was about scientology, he would’ve been Pope!
- Status