Priestly Celibacy

This year at the Vatican Synod several hotly debated topics are being discussed, to the joy of some and dismay of others. The “makeup” of the meeting includes not only progressive Catholic Germans, but many handpicked delegates from around the world. 

Women priests, Divorced and invalidly remarried Catholics receiving the Eucharist, Blessing homosexual behaviour and unions making them sacramental, sex changes, the “trans” world, "All religions are equally true”, parental rights surrendered..…all these are on the agenda for the Synod. Most active Catholics apparently believe that all the above are outside the parameters of healthy Catholicism and should  be dismissed.

There is, however, one topic that has heavy interest and support across the board. The question of a priesthood which is optionally 'celibate'. Obviously chaste, but whether 'to marry or not to marry' is the question. This is seemingly  a legitimate concern. Many plausible reasons are given for the option, the principal of which suggests that many more men would be interested in serving the LORD.

The proponents speak only of Diocesan priests, since the option for Religious Order priests would  be awkward and unworkable. Nor do they conceive the option to apply to homosexual priests, who are basically uninterested in marriage to a woman. Studies (e.g. John Jay) indicate that 80% of the priest scandals were male on male category, i.e. homosexual, usually with teenagers, a practice which is sometimes referred to, casually, as  “ephebophilia”.  The investigation is not applicable to so-called same-sex marriage, since Catholicism views such unions as objectively  sinful.

Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1527

However,  It is said that  The Church has lost  many great potential leaders because of the rigorous insistence that priests refrain from expressing natural sexual urges. Reading between the lines, one gets the clear impression, for example, that such was the case with St. Thomas More who left clerical studies because of powerful sexual needs.. 

Hence, it is alleged that so many more high level children would be added for the Church’s benefit as well as for general society. An example is the zealous Franklin Graham, son of the saintly Billy  Graham. It is claimed that this would produce a pool of spirited intelligent offspring.

In all probability,  it is said, the priest would be happier, more tolerant, less vulnerable to sexual magnetism and better equipped to empathize and understand male/female tensions. One is directed to study the effectiveness of married priests of the Eastern Rites, or consult the experience of married Anglican clergy.  It is alleged that ministry  is enhanced  rather  than hampered, when the minster is married. Whether he married before or after his ordination seems irrelevant. He could also bring a dimension to “pastoring”, springing from personal family experience inaccessible to unmarried men.

It seems a strong stance, yet there is another side to the proposal. There are many counter-indications why this could be an enormous mistake.

Taking the long range view of hundreds of years, many argue that, over all, mandated priestly celibacy has worked well. There have been failures and scandals among priests, but only in the clear minority. 

Saint Paul by Guercino

St. Paul suggested that a married person can be split in his attending to his spouse and his God, whereas he can be devoted exclusively to things of God, if he is not married. But proponents say that intimacy  with his spouse can be the fuel of a more authentic love of God and His children on earth. They assert there is little conflict on this point where ministers of religion are married. There is less occurrence of the “wandering eye”. Is this true? 

The basic question focuses on the man himself. Much is made of his needs, his problems of loneliness and temptation. There is little thought given to others involved, i.e. the wife, the children, the parishioners, the Church in general. 

Since the operational dimension of a married priest class is clearly only in the discussion stage, a researcher has little data to suggest how it would be. One can only ask searching questions about possible or probable outcomes.

Certainly, the area of the financial looms large. Currently, supporting clergy is manageable with only occasional grumblings about the cost of supporting the parish priests. Yet one serious reason for the inception of sacerdotal celibacy was that priests were giving Church assets to family. This was unacceptable. Generally, the question of expense is front and center whenever this topic is introduced.

Mandated Celibacy first appeared at the Council of Elvira in 304 A.D., then  at the Second Lateran Council in 1138, and finally at the Council of Trent  in 1563. Celibacy in the Latin Rite would be required of all priests  from then on. Some assert that such a practice is man-made and hence can be revoked. Others firmly believe enforced celibacy is the work of the Holy Spirit. The disagreement is palpable.  Yet the first Pope, St. Peter, was himself a married man as the Scripture tells us. The original apostles…were they married? Did Jesus approve?

Of course there is the whole larger spiritual picture of what dedicated celibacy has meant to multitudes, in their pursuit of total love of the Lord. It is also a sign  of commitment to the ‘Work of  God.’ There is something beautiful and generous about a normal person renouncing the joys of married love.

Candidates for priesthood lying prostrate during ordination

Would this change de-facto discourage the God-centered practice we have seen in holy men (and women) over hundreds of years?

For some, celibacy involves sacrifice beyond words. Ohers find it relatively easy. Yet  Jesus clearly teaches that the one who follows Him must shoulder the Cross of Love, i.e. doing the will of the truly beloved, Jesus Himself. Does celibacy mean "total renouncement” for some special people? Jesus tells us that celibacy is not for everyone... Does celibacy explain the almost automatic respect that people of all religions often offer priests and religious people? Some say that celibacy is simply unnatural, and we should be done with it! Would the parish old biddies crusade to find a wife for the nice new priest?

Some say “Let them marry and see where it goes" - but is this statement irresponsible?

The question, then, would be: “Should there be a marriage option for priests?" 

So, let the talk begin. But let there also be much imprecation to the Holy Spirit. This is a very hot potato!!!!!!!!!!