ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE PRIEST COMMENTS
# 7 In 43 years of ministry I have been a happy, contented priest. Celibacy is a natural adjunct to my satisfaction and contentment. I can't imagine more efficiency, or competence, without celibacy. It has never been a problem, or a question, once I gave my word that I would have a celibate life. I have traveled throughout the world, met lots of priests, - never heard a complaint about celibacy. Priests who are genuine, sincere, honest, holy men --- willing to be with the dying, ministering the Sacraments for Christ, Alter Christus, would consider it a waste of time to dialogue on this topic - Monday morning quarterbacks are losers already.
The first petition of the Church at every Mass is for Leadership. We deserve better it is true. If we had even "good" leaders - not great, - we would have more vocations to the Priesthood, Sisterhood and Brotherhood. The Church is Jesus Christ ---priests follow Him, a special calling, a vocation of sacrifice, a crucifixion in silence.
(Signed) Age: 61-70; Not retired
# 12 Thank you for this effort. The lack of sensitivity for both clergy and parishioners is mortally sinful at this point in our Christian history. May the Holy Spirit blow done those who fear sexuality and the truth. I am also certain that the real reason for no discussion is the fact that so many clergy (myself included) are gay. I fear that is the real block rather than to live in the spirit of truth and justice. Age: 41-50 Not retired
#16 My friends in Christ! Thank you so very much for this important survey. My prayers have been answered. Once again - coming from the grassroots level of the Church, the holy people of God - the Voice of the Faithful! I really feel the need to have an open and frank discussion on this issue with the hierarchy. Would that happen, I don't know --- but my gut says no. "Rome has spoken---" Case nailed and shut. But thanks for the opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for your care and love for priests.
I am open to disclose myself to you. (Signed) Age:41-50; Not retired
# 28 Let the Spirit of the Lord guide us! Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 31 Thank you for your interest and concern for this issue which affects many other issues in the life of the priest. Thank you for the chance to participate. Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 36 To Whom It May Concern: Below is my response to your survey. (This respondent did not use the survey form; instead wrote this letter)
Do I favor an open discussion of the mandatory celibacy rule for Diocesan Priests? NO My age: 33
My comments:
I am concerned that such an inquiry will lead to useless or divisive discussion of a "fact" that was promised by men who knowingly, maturely and (hopefully) prayerfully made a conscious vow of celibacy on their great day of Ordination.
Instead of expending your energies on this discussion with each other, may I suggest a discussion with God in prayer and implore Him to give His priests the strength to persevere in their vow of celibacy: a great witness of love… a promise which has given me great crosses but also opportunities of tremendous joy!
Your invitation to this discussion disheartens me as the hype of the reconsideration of a monogamous marriage between man and woman. One would ask how newlyweds would feel if a priest, on the day of the couple's wedding, said, "and let's all now pray that God allows for this couple to be open to have extra lovers." Blunt, but that is my honest perception of your survey.
In the future, I ask the sender to please send me information through the proper channels of the Office of Clergy Personnel, especially if these matters concern the Priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, as I usually do not respond to surveys of unknown or questionable sources.
With Mary's Prayers and Christ's Blessings,
(Signed) Age:33; Not retired
# 37 No brilliant comment, just a sincere thank you for taking on the issue! Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 45 The time for discussion has long passed. In the present crisis, the Spirit is speaking loud and clear that the sacrament of Orders is for all God's people - married or celibate, male or female! Someday, this Church may learn to read the signs of the times and the workings of the Spirit. Let's pray it learns before it is too late. (Signed)
Age: 61-70; Not retired
# 46 You can use my name. (Signed) Age: Over 70; Retired
# 48 A retreat master once said that the Church's problem was that of the dinosaur = it didn't know that there was trouble until the mud was up to its eyes. Age: 61-70; Retired
# 49 One made the Pledge before Ordination One gave their pledge Voluntarily.
Age: Over 70; Retired
# 63 I am not personally interested in getting married since I am gay. However I do believe that the option should be there. I presently have several former priests who have married worshipping in my parish - they would be excellent workers in the vineyard. I also believe that the discussion on women's ordination needs to be reopened in an honest and Spirit-filled fashion. Thank you for doing this. I wondered when something might be done in Baltimore! Peace Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 65 We have one married priest here already. Recently, we celebrated Hilary of Potiers, death 358 - married when made a Bishop. It is already in the tradition. There is room for both. I favor optional celibacy for Diocesan clergy. Religious life is a different charism. Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 66 I find this quite disturbing! Age: 25-40; Not retired
# 67 Thank you Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 68 Keep up the good work Sincerely, (Signed) Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 80 Celibacy is a most beautiful way to fulfill one's commitment to Christ and His Church in priesthood, and achieve one's life's love in the manner of his calling. Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 83 Congratulations on your efforts. I was hoping someone from Balto would start this. (Signed) Age: 51-60; Not retired
# 85 (Above the word Yes was added) ABSOLUTELY; (Above the age category 51-60 was added) I wish! (Next to Are you retired? was written) NoWay. (Signed) Age: 61-70; Not retired
# 86 (In answer to the question, Do you favor open discussion of the mandatory celibacy rule, the response was written) If young priests desire it (Signed) Age: Over 70; Retired
# 75 At the heart of my call to the priesthood was the invitation to follow the Lord in his selfless and generous love for the whole world. What made the call so unique and wonderful was the invitation to love not just my own wife and children, but to love the Church as a whole in an equally dedicated and generous way.
Throughout seminary and in my years as a priest, celibacy has never been simply some "mandatory requirement" or a tax I had to pay on the way to ordination, under whose burden I now labor. Celibacy remains a great gift which constantly invites me to give of myself in as generous and loving way as possible.
While the gift of celibacy is misunderstood by our society, its witness and value are needed now more than ever. Would married priests solve the shortage of priests? Studies indicate the answer is no. (See recent remarks by Bishop Wilton Gregory: "A number of studies in recent years indicate that denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as well as other main line churches with married clergy have also faced a shortage of ministers. Several years ago the Orthodox Church in America reported a clergy shortage as did the Jewish Reform and Conservative traditions." http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2003/03-176.htm) There is certainly a vocation crisis, but the crisis is not limited to the priesthood alone. The sacrament of marriage is also in crisis (one need only look at the current divorce rate) and allowing for married clergy would not carry with it any great remedy for either crisis,
In addition, it's obvious that the sexual abuse crisis in the church would not be cured by allowing for married clergy. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported in 1998 that "child sexual abuse has been reported in up to 80,000 times a year" (http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/sexabuse.htm) and the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect(CIS) states that "among substantiated sexual abuse, non-parental relatives represented the largest group of alleged perpetrators (44%), followed by biological fathers (8%), stepfathers (8%)" (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/familyviolence/html/nfntsxagrsexadult e.html)
I appreciate your concern for the priesthood and for the opportunity to express my own thoughts and feelings in your survey. I remain a very happy and committed celibate priest. Age: 25-40; Not retired
# 90 In our sexual dominated society (self gratification) celibacy stands as prophetic witness that God not sexual pleasure is the image of the alter-Christus. Celibacy is existential, it is for the kingdom. It is what the person is to offer in thanksgiving for so great a gift as priesthood. It has already been discussed at time in preparation for ordination. Age: 61-70; Not retired
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