Green Bay Comments
Had I to do it all over again, I still personally would opt for celibacy, the governing word is “opt”. During my career as a priest too many fine men left priestly ranks because of the celibacy mandate. My personal loss of them as confreres was and is equally a loss to the Catholic Church’s pastoral mission.
Why not? Why are our mind, head and body in the sand? We’ve had optional celibacy with housekeepers and significant others, why not make it legal. Ordain the Deacons if nothing else. It’s ridiculous to put the burden of the sacramental church on a faithful few.
Retires? Yes, but activated. “Without the priesthood there is no Church.” Many strong faith communities are being consolidated, closed, merged, and eliminated because of the short supply of priestly services. This cries to the heavens for vengeance. There are qualified candidates for priesthood outside of the small group of celibate males. Two with extra-ordinary qualifications in my parish: A married Deacon of 25 years who has directed religious studies for over 40 years. A retired Judge Advocate General from the Marine Corps who reaches the rank of Brigadier General and attends daily Mass.
The failure of our church to enter into dialogue is a reflection, for me, of a lack of trust in the presence of the Spirit in all members of our church.
The rule of celibacy limits the church to the small pool of men willing to serve as celibates. We lose so much.
Open discussions are 20 years overdue: our leadership (church) priests, bishops, papacy need to work at solving the “vocation” shortage.
And I am in favor of an open discussion on the ordination of women.
To me this seems a settled matter. Shortly after the Council, I would have favored it but – “by their fruits you shall know them.” I am sure now of the wisdom of mandatory celibacy, with exemptions for converting clergy, or perhaps, for married deacons who might be selected for ordination.
Thank you for this opportunity! A few observations: 1. Current church policy on celibacy places a higher value on this discipline than on the sacrament of matrimony. 2. Current church policy on celibacy restricts the Holy Spirit to call only men and only celibate men. 3. Why does the Church restrict the Sacrament of Holy Orders by denying those married access? And vice-versa?
No!!! Our circle of priests do not really want to respond, and hereby do not imply giving CTA any Credibility, other than that which you may receive from liberal press. Rome has spoken, and further discussion is redundant! It requires humility to be obedient. Homosexual priests are the result of disobeying the teachings of the Church on morality and are not caused by celibacy. We have a shortage of GOOD priests!!! You are in our prayers.
I believe the survey was sent to me by mistake. I am one of the 169 Milwaukee priests. I do help out in Green Bay and in Manitowoc and I own a home up north in Lakewood, which is in the Green Bay diocese. I am also on the list of priests who have faculties in Green Bay. At present I’ve been called back to work in Milwaukee archdiocese. I am interim pastor in Waukesha. Sorry you can’t use my vote for Green Bay.
Remember that Christ instituted two Sacraments concerning vocation:
1: Marriage to propagate the faithful and a husband’s primary concern has to be his spouse.
2: Holy Orders to propagate the Faith and a Priest’s primary concern has to be the Church.
It is true that they have to work together and help each other in some manner: but one person cannot successfully have and live both of them.
The Church has had the life of celibacy for clergy for two thousand years (with a few exceptions); now in the 21st century should we begin to change this tradition?
Why and What----
In the 1970’s and 80’s we had the sex revolution and the birth control pill became popular and there arose a new kind of sexual freedom for women and men that they could practice sex without the affects of becoming pregnant. This led to a new social freedom and attitude that anything is permissible and there is no longer sin. With the publication of the Encyclical “Humanae Vitae” by Pope Paul VI, there was some hesitancy about this by some priests and also some Bishops as to its acceptance, and so not much was said about it. This then led to all sorts of new social views—an increase of divorces, sexual freedom for adults and teenagers, same sex marriages, the rights for gays and homosexuals, etc…One of the results is the Episcopal Church ordaining gay bishop, which affirms gay unions.
Avery Cardinal Dulles has written this sobering commentary concerning the practice of the faith in some Catholic communities today. The majority of Catholics have little appreciation of their mission to spread the faith as a precious gift intended for all. In some cases they behave as if the faith were an unwelcome burden…religious practice ahs fallen off. May fail to attend mass on Sundays. The Sacrament of Penance is neglected by the vast majority of Catholics. There is a serious dearth of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The immoral behavior of Catholics, both lay and clergy, is a cause of scandal and defections. (“True and False Reform, “ First Things, August/September 2003.)
It is true that there is some sacrifice in living a life of celibacy; but there is also sacrifice required to live a good married life. Our free will gives us some joys and pleasures but also some restraints and sacrifices.
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