Many in today's society proclaim celibacy as the one major cause leading toward priests whose violated the vow of chastity.
Basic sociology 101 tells us statistics can be influenced by the person gathering the information. Sociological trends have dominated and compromised an entire world of original thought in the human mind, but numbers devoid of informed opinion; indisputable facts, and bias, shed new light on an already out-of-control rumor - and the scapegoats remain the priests.
Priests are no different than many other public servants, i.e., firefighters, police, doctors and nurses. The latter can perform a thousand positive accomplishments, but the minute a mistake is made, the good deeds disappear and the negative, uninformed gossip is launched. Suddenly an entire populace rants and raves and we hear: "why don't they just let those priests get married . . . wouldn't that solve the molestation issue with Catholic priests?" Opinions are great! In fact, used wisely, opinions can and have indeed brought the world numerous needed inventions and has even paved the way for newly discovered medical treatments and cures. However, used recklessly, or lackadaisically, an unfounded opinion can destroy one's life and crush the world around them.
How well are you informed on the "celibacy" issue? Can you back your opinion by Scripture? Do you really think celibacy causes a priest to violate this vow? Given the current negative press on the Catholic Church, do you feel (all) priests have been wrongfully labeled or stereotyped? Let us hear your thoughts and enter your comment.
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3 comments:
The subject of celibacy in the Catholic Church has progressively fueled an unnecessary fire, a flame of ignorance only exceeded by a destruction of lives and vocations. The after-effect of a wrongfully accused priest on a molestation issue, can hinder an entire Church family and their attitude toward the sanctity of the priesthood in general.
Well known author and Catholic Apologist, Jim Burnham, of the San Juan Catholic Seminars, has addressed 14 common or miscellaneous questions which are commonly asked of Catholics here in the west and abroad. While the question on celibacy ranks number 12 in a list of 14, it is no less imperative and quite timely.
Burham agrees the Catholic Church does not forbid marriage, and believes our Church upholds the great dignity of marriage.
Marriage. What a monumental word when we consider this subject! The mere mention of the word, "marriage," can be of both, a Holy Sacrament (and) a tool to defend this discipline within Our Catholic Church - celibacy.
Over 50% of all marriages in the United States fail. Two-percent (2%)of priests (worldwide) are involved in the alleged molestations of young children. The irony here, is that we hear of no one lambasting the institution of marriage although 50% of them default on their vows. Yet, after reliable statistics revealed the 2% margin of accused priests who betray (their) vows, we hear that celibacy can be found at the very root of the problem. It is beyond me how people in our own Christian communities can slam the celibacy vow and totally ignore the marriage vow when the numbers speak for themselves.
The Church only forbids marriage as a matter of discipline; one for those men who choose to become priests. Noteworthy, is that no one is forced into the priesthood. Our reliable and just priests are (asked) to renounce sex for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Proof of this can be found in Mt.19:12, whereby Jesus praises those who would freely renounce sex for the Kingdom of God.
Burham stresses that St. Paul's denunciation of those who forbid marriage applies to those who reject marriage (entirely), as though it were evil itself. St. Paul is warning against a false spirituality which holds that any part of God's good creation - including marriage - is evil (1 Tim. 4:3-4).
This Apostolic Father obviously is not condemning celibacy. He (St. Paul) was himself single (1 Cor. 7:8) just as Jesus was. St. Paul vehemently (recommends) celibacy for those who would devote themselves entirely to the ministry.
"I want you to be free from anxieties. 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 . . . I say this for your own benefit to secure your (undivided) devotion to the Lord - (1 Cor. 7:32-35)."
The adage: "being a Christian is not easy," speaks for itself. Being a true man of God whose responsibilities include (helping to keep our souls saved) presents itself as even harder still! Think of how non-productive a Catholic priest would be if we called him to perform the last rights on one of our family members, and he responded, "can't right now, I'm at baseball practice with my son." Or, "I am at a PTA meeting, I'll have to do this later."
We must be mindful of what our wonderful Bishop, Terry Steib, wrote in a previous address on the Latin Mass: "Our priests work hard . . . some are overworked." In essence, choosing the priesthood and being a married man would be one neat balancing act - a tightrope of complexities headed for doom.
Mr. Burnham's summation is not that hard to comprehend. He states that since St. Paul does not absolutely (command) celibacy for all full-time ministers, the Catholic Church teaches the requirement as a discipline - not a Doctrine. Therefore, the Church allows some exceptions to this requirement: for example, married Anglican priests who become Catholic can continue to be married even if they become Catholic priests.
Burnham ends his discussion with a question: "Ask Protestants why (they) have so (few) - if any at all - celibate ministers, especially since St. Paul encourages it so strongly for full-time ministers of Christ."
As for this writer, may I say (our) priest can walk with his head raised and a bursting chest; his profound dedication is only exceeded by his innate desire to serve God and God's people - and we love him for it.
Is this quote, "Two-percent (2%)of priests (worldwide) are involved in the alleged molestations of young children." meant to compare marriage to alleged molestations of young children?
No Ma'am, it is meant to showcase two vows, i.e., marriage and celibacy. If 2% of the priests worldwide are engaged in molestations as they betray the vow of celibacy, then how can some of us, as people who take other vows and betray them (like marriage), maintain that celibacy is the root cause of this transgression, yet (some of us) are guilty of betraying another Sacred vow - marriage - where 50% fail. The message is that when we look for reasons why some of our priests engage in such horrific transgressions as child molestations, perhaps we should look elsewhere for that cause - or root. Finally, we rarely hear people as they point fingers to the vow incorporating the institution of marriage, where again - 50% fail as opposed to 2% failing in another vow.
The readers should know that most molestations are performed by married men and also that the Catholic Church is not the only Church with molestation issues. Why is the Catholic Church at the center of the charge? Simple, the Catholic priest is the only being that can consecrate the Body and Blood - why wouldn't the devil attempt to destroy this caliber of man? We do have countless good priests and those should not suffer for the 2% who pose themselves as deplorable.
Hope this helps. Should I post your question and this answer? Please advise.
Yours in Christ,
Randy
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