We do not have a priest shortage

[Biedrik]

I have to disagree - in part.

Celibacy is contrary to the nature of the human being, and especially males. This does not mean, of course, that most priests break their vows. I'm quite sure that most of them are celibate. But this is not achieved without a struggle. Man was created with a strong God-given sexual urge, with the divine purpose of having children. I often wonder if celibacy, in fact, doesn't somehow contradict divine intention???

Celibacy contrary to human nature, and contrary to divine intention? Somehow scripture disagrees when St. Paul says “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9), “Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. . . those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that…The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:27-34), and finally “does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better” (1 Corinthians 7:38). God encourages celibacy. It’s preferred to marriage.

The sex scandal in the Catholic church is to some degree a result of celibacy. And the sex scandal is one reason for the scarcity of priests. I have a priest friend who even worries about wearing a collar out in public, for fear that others will suspect that he is a pedophile or a homosexual - or both,

Due to celibacy? Nonsense. We’ve had celibacy for centuries, and it was only in the latter half of the twentieth century that the scandals happened. Besides, there are other religious groups without celibacy who have the same rates of abuse. It’s not due to celibacy. Also, the sex scandal is not the cause of the scarcity. The scarcity already existed. Interestingly enough, in places where the scandals were worst more and more men are entering the seminaries. I myself am such an example. It’s like men wish to counter the harm that was done by these scandals.

If priests were permitted the option of marrying, I suspect that a large number of young men would flock to the priesthood. That is a primary reason for the shortage of priests. Along with this, as others have pointed out, is the objection of many parents to their children becoming priests or nuns. Today they often have only two or three children, even less, and they prefer grandchildren and other aspects of normal family living.

This is hardly the primary reason. It’s a big storm full of many clouds, all throwing their lightning bolts. Poor catechesis is really the main agent here. If men don’t know their faith, they won’t know the priesthood. Removing celibacy is hardly the answer to the problem. Do you realize how many problems there are in undoing celibacy? How much would you pay these priests? How could you move them around all over the place the way we currently we do, if they have families? The list can go on. It’s just a logistical mess. It might bring a small initial wave of men into the priesthood, but in the long run it would solve nothing.

Homosexuals are a high percentage of priests. Just how high no one knows. Why? Young gays hope (and pray) that becoming priests will ‘cure them’ or at least protect them against the temptation to drift into the gay lifestyle. They want a position that garners respect. They feel that to become a priest will avoid the question: “Why aren’t you married yet?” They may also be attracted to an all-male fraternity. Some gays have a special appreciation for the theater, which is akin to mass in some ways. They may also be attracted to some of the trappings of the priesthood, such as the vestments.

Care to substantiate these claims? Speaking as one in seminary, I don’t seem to know any guys who are like this. Also…Mass…is akin to theater? What mad idea is that?

Giving priests the option to marry - perhaps to follow the policy of the Uniate churches, marriage before ordination - seems reasonable. There will be problems, such as economic factors as well as competition for the time of priests, but Protestantism seems to have managed to survive while confronting such challenges.

It breaks with a good practice of ours that helps priests better serve the Church. Those of the East (the term Uniate doesn’t apply anymore, so don’t use it)

To suggest that the CC doesn not have a priest shortage is to hide one’s head in the sand. In this area, where Catholicism is strong, churches are being closed and others combined, in part because of that shortage. Also contributing to this, of course, is diminishing attendance and economic hardship. Yes, some are coming from overseas, but that can introduce other difficulties - understanding the priest, cultural differences, etc.

These problems exist. The answer is not to provide an incredibly problematic solution. There are places where you have many vocations and celibacy. The issue has been a weakening of faith, not of celibacy.

Really, this is an issue for the hierarchy, not for us. I’m frequently approached about this topic because I’m a seminarian, often with people wondering why I’d ever want to be celibate. I find that the laity aruing about this has done nothing but create trouble. It’s something for the leaders to decide. For now, they think that celibacy is the way to go, and we should respect their decision. Most people will never live this lifestyle, and so should really leave the matter alone.

 

[shinytoy]

out of interest, why is it only the catholic church which has had a huge outcry regarding paedophilia and homosexuality? many other religions like buddism, sikhism, hinduism, islam etc have celibates and none of them have had such high profile cases of paedos or homos or perversions. if you say to anyone ‘religious and perversion, which faith do you think of’ they would say catholic. why?

 

[PennyinCanada]

I just read an article that 97% of Catholics of child bearing age use contraception.
Maybe God was wanting to send more priests but they never were born.