FALL RIVER COMMENTS
‘Yes’ comments
“The insanity of depriving people of the eucharist to maintain mandatory celibacy must be challenged.”
“If we allow former Episcopal priests who are now Roman Catholic priests to be married, our diocesan men should be allowed. We’ve lost many good priests because celibacy is an issue.”
“It seems to me that open discussion ought to be the norm about every issue, mandatory celibacy is only one of many and I think a lesser issue than some others. Time presents it’s own change.”
“I don’t want the law changed. Discussion won’t hurt.”
“As in Eastern Rites, marriages must occur before diaconate, avoid a courting clergy.”
We have a tradition of married priests as well as a tradition of celibate priests. We once had both. Why not again?
Deaconate is a holy order, as is priesthood. We have restored a married deaconate already – why not restore a married priesthood?
Even now we have validly ordained + married priest – transfers from the Anglican/Episcopal church. But forget it if you are a priest who was born into a Catholic family. How fair is that? How logical, even.
Most parish priests’ ministries center on families. How wonderful if he had first hand experience.
Just think of the possibilities if a priest was married to a deacon! Of course, we also have a tradition of female deacons – but let’s not go there – it’s not a question you asked, although it’s a fascinating answer.”
“Thank you for pursuing the subject “Open Discussion on Celibacy.’ Florida, where I lived many years, is a ‘Red State.’ But even Florida passed a ‘Sunshine Law’ which states that every government executive committee, when discussing matters of serious public concern, must allow citizens to attend their meetings. Executive secret meetings are a no-no in a democracy. Unfortunately Church leaders do not consider the Church to be democratic. They thrive, therefore, on closed discussions, secrecy, executive orders, etc. The Catholic laity, as promised by Vatican II, has a right to be a part of any discussion that pertains to the well-being of their Church, as well as the clerics’. By and large, the clerics are fearful + silent, we need the help of the laity.
We must not be silenced. It will take a lot of courage + determination to break through the thick walls of the fortress, built by clerics to keep out lay people. I forgot to mention the moats and the alligators. Good luck.”
I’m not sure an ‘open’ discussion will take place. The spirit of dialogue in our culture reduces everything to opinion – personal opinion, and not always backed up by sound reasoning. That goes for ‘left’ (like CTA) and right (like CUFF). Opinion polls are deceptive in such a discussion. On the other hand the Church has not yet learned to dialogue well to this point – especially on contentious issues, such as clerical celibacy. I fear that such a discussion would lead me to greater frustration, and yet I hunger for such a dialogue.
I have my opinions & I try to base them on sound reasoning. I am willing to put my name by my perspective, which I trust is not at all hostile to the Church’s will & God’s will and is well within reason – I believe. May God bring some good fruit from your efforts and the Church’s pastoral care for her shepherds. Peace.”
Comments from ‘No’ Responders
“Interesting way of phrasing the question. I don’t know of anyone who is not in favor of open discussion, but I assume you mean calling into question the discipline.”
“I support priestly celibacy which helps me and I think the church realizes that God is worth every sacrifice.”
“I think that Call to Action, together with VOTF and FutureChurch, are on a slippery slope to schism/heresy. The ONLY reason I responded to a survey from you is to express my displeasure with this group and have my vote counted.”
“I hope you are truly praying about what you are doing and not just looking to promote an agenda.”
“Do me and the church a favor and stop sending this nonsense. Celibacy is an expression of love lived out for God’s holy people. Of course, a group of dissenters would certainly not understand this!!!”
“A McSweeney turns to the ‘left’”
“While it is often said that priestly celibacy is merely a Church discipline (not doctrine or dogma) and so can be discarded at will, I think it is much more than a mere canonical law. Celibacy is intrinsic to the male priestly witness as a ‘begetter’ after the manner of Christ the Bridegroom, Who begets the new life in His Spirit within men and women, principally through the preaching of the Gospel and the celebration of the sacraments.
That said, one’s Catholic orthodoxy does not depend on whether or not he or she supports priestly celibacy. Celibacy is, in my mind, somewhere between doctrine/dogma and ‘mere’ law.
Also…
The evidence does not support the idea that changing the law will attract more men to the priesthood. The Eastern-rite Catholic and Orthodox Churches have a married (as well as celibate) priesthood, yet they too are beset by a shortage of priests.
Also…
Those who wish to see the obligation of celibacy abolished should consider whether the call to priesthood is really best fulfilled through marriage. After all, marriage can be a difficult vocation also, and should not be seen as a cure-all. In fact, Christ advocated celibacy as a living sign of the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Matthew 19:12); and St. Paul recommended celibacy without depreciating marriage in any way (1 Cor. 7:8). It doesn’t surprise me, though, that celibacy is not understood or valued these days, in light of the fact that eschatology (the Four Last Things) is a neglected area of Christian preaching. Celibacy is eschatological if nothing else! See Mark 12:25.
Therefore I stand in favor of maintaining the discipline in the Latin Church. And since our late Holy Father John Paul II, as well as Pope Benedict, ave said much in support of priestly celibacy, such that there is no reason to think the discipline will change, furthere debate/discussion is pointless. The West is now post-Christian. Let’s focus on the New Evangelization instead…”
“We need holy priests who give up the goods of marriage
so as to be closer to Jesus in the Eucharist – with an undivided
heart so as to be priest & victim w/ Christ. Priests must be
pure, very pure, to offer the Sacrificial Lamb to the Father at
Mass. The pressures & stresses of marriage & family I believe
take a priest away from contemplation, meditation & his need
to be available to His flock, especially in the Confessional.”
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