Denver Comments
#1
Dear Sharon,
Hope this helps. We need more open discussion. MUCH MORE!!
#7
I don’t think it is healthy for the church for its members to be expressing opinions anonymously. Opinions are better expressed openly. At this time I am not prepared to take a public position in opposition to that of the bishops. I am not convinced that it would accomplish much and it would put my faculties as a priest at risk.
Had you put the question as follows, I would have been able to support it:
“
Would you support the U.S. bishops if they called for an open discussion of the mandatory celibacy rule for priests?”
I don’t think a priest’s opinion on this matter is any more important than the opinions of the laity. I would encourage you to survey them.
Thanks
#10
Friends
Many years ago, another survey but more expanded than this was conducted by Fr. Eugene Kennedy, author of many books and articles.
You may find that the results of this survey is (sic) very like his.
#19
I think that this survey is inappropriate and that this methodology is very questionable. True dialogue in the church is fostered by face to face meetings where people are accountable for what they say. Archbishop Chaput has fostered an environment of dialogue where we can and do discuss such issues.
Since you intend to publish the survey, please include comments.
#21
Discussion yes. Not sure it should be granted.
#30
Note –
The Holy Father has already clearly stated there is to be No debate, etc. on this issue.
Your rejection/ignoring of the Holy Father tells one all he needs to know about “Call to Action” –
“He who is not with me, is against me”.
Our Lord’s words!
#35
1) I doubt that the church will ever change the rule requiring celibacy of clerics. But I think discussion is always appropriate.
2) As a religious, the vow of chastity would still be in effect, even for non-clerics.
3) I would like to see ordination of older men who may have been married and/or widowed.
#36
Thank you for conducting this survey. Collegiality and consultation is so important in the Church and for its growth. Thanks for your courage and prophetic witness! God Bless your good work and ministry.
#45
I have given some thought to this over the years and I have come to the following conclusions to optional celibacy in the priesthood.
1) There is nothing historically, theologically or scripturally preventing it--so say most of our scholars and theologians.
2) Without it as a major solution, The Church will become “de-sacramentalized”.
3) Optional celibacy is not a solution to the sexual scandal in the church, but it can address some of the loneliness and low moral among diocesan priests, and may be more attractive to those who wish to be priests.
4) The rising vox fidelium places before the bishops the serious task they have to address this issue as well as others in which God’s people and Christ’s Body is being shaped for this new century.
#47
Irrelevant for me personally as a celibate religious, but I am in favor of it.
#51.
I know several priests who resigned to get married. They are brilliant, wonderful and holy men. They would return tomorrow if allowed.
#59
Your statistical claims are misleading. To mention “64% of those responding” without giving a number of respondents compared to number of clergy in the diocese tells me nothing but does suggest possibly wrong conclusions for those unfamiliar with statistics.
My only reason for responding to this questionnaire was to attempt to make sure your information was at least a bit more accurate.
I would prefer you not use this survey in any report to the press, especially given its unprofessional nature.
#61
It is not fair that the Denver Archdiocese is accepting married priests from other rite (sic). Are we not supposed to value celibacy? So why a double standard?
#63
There are many issues to be considered when discussing rules of celibacy in the Roman Rite. Some have to do with the reason and purpose of celibacy, historic, economic, legal and theological. Traditionally the Church views the practical and legal reasons for any action, activity, policy or teaching, then it reasons to the theological. Let us look at this
Then of course, is the impact of any change. More than one rule or canon law of the Church would have to be changed. How will the change be supported and accepted by the people? What does the Church do about assigning a married with children priest to a poor parish? There are many other social justice issues to be discussed, policies to be formulated, matters of salary, places to live, right to medical and disability benefits, children’s right to and obligation for education.
Along with these, a system of “promotion” must be considered. Does the junior priest, aspiring for assignment to the best parishes, have a way to realize his dream? Who will serve in the poor parishes? How will the family be compensated?
#65
Dear Members of Call to Action,
The peace of our Risen Lord be with you. I am returning your survey because I do not wish to participate in it. I do not believe your survey is constructive, nor do I think the question, as asked, is useful. I also don’t believe it is at all useful to release the figures to the press; that causes me to doubt the purity of your motives.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
#67
Thanks for doing this.
#68
There seems that there should be no fear of open discussion with regard to this matter.
The lack of facing the future should be without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the answer may not satisfy everyone.
#69
I don’t have a prob [problem] of discussion…(In my mind this already exists) but I don’t believe it would be a good idea to open up priesthood that way. We could learn much from our protestant brothers and sisters on this matter and almost all those I’ve talked to tell me that celibacy is a great gift to Catholics…I think they’re right.
#73
Dear Ms. Beshoar and all,
I do not feel this survey is helpful either to priests or to the faithful.
#75
Thanks for your interest in this aspect of ‘Church’. If the pursuit of this info. is not from the Denver priests, I choose not to participate.
A strong supporter of Call to Action,
#77
Is Call To Action suffering from a kind of stubborn optimism in still beating the drum for overturning the millennial law of celibacy?
Hasn’t the Church—through the voice of the popes, and bishops—spoken over the last decades following Vatican II, by confirming the discipline of celibacy as the norm for priests?
Hasn’t the Church already shown itself to be flexible by granting exceptions to the rule—as in the case of married clergy from other Christian communions—by accepting those men for ordination in the Roman Rite?
I think your poll should be a little more up-front. Namely, you should express Call to Action’s agenda—which I assume is to overturn the mandatory law of celibacy.
Then you should ask the priests polled whether or not they wish the mandatory law revoked. Wouldn’t that be more to the point?
#81
I found your survey to be very unprofessional. First the questions were so non-specific that it is impossible to answer. Secondly--what is your real agenda? Be honest--who are you? It’s interesting the majority are women--what difference does priestly celibacy mean to you? Are there priests involved? I think this is a very dishonest attempt at dissent from Authority and would like my comments noted. I doubt your real concern is for priests.
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