There has been a lot of loose talk about the current crisis facing the Catholic Church and the Vatican in particular. Some conservative writers have suggested that the liberalization of the Second Vatican Council led to an atmosphere that encouraged clerical sexual abuse, and have gone on to say that the American bishops appointed by Pope Paul VI at the recommendation of Archbi (...)
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Good Gift, Bad Rule
THE USES & ABUSES OF CELIBACY
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We all wonder sometimes about the reason young men (or boys) seek to become priests. Is it truly a call to service, holiness, a vocation in the true sense? Or is it an avenue to economic security, education, and respectability? If celibacy were not required, how many would be drawn to this vocation after a period of life in the married state and earning their own way, perhaps holding a significant business or civil service position with real responsibilities for organization and supervision?
We are suffering from ordaining only celibate men who have had little or no real world experiences, relational developments, organizational training, or emotional/spiritual seasoning. Seminaries do not train candidates to be pastors, administrators, liturgical leaders or preachers. It would seem obvious to any disinterested outside observer that it's all about celibacy and nothing else. Even in the rare case of so-called delayed vocations, we send the candidates to separate seminaries so that they don't infect the young and impressonable ones with stories of real life outside the seminary...
I know a (now retired) married Serbian Orthodox priest who is one of the most grounded, happiest and successful pastors that I have ever known. He and his wife have 3 boys, one of whom is a priest and one is a deacon - both married. The 3rd boy is not married and has a secular career. I have been priviliged to be a guest in the priest's house and I cry when I see what most if not all RC priests are missing.