Is Priestly Celibacy Psychologically Dangerous? (Catholic Caucus)

That Cardinal is a progressive of the worst order. Does not surprise me that he's for married priests.

The progressives (enemies within the Church) created the problem by rejecting the good MEN, and letting in all the liberals and homosexuals, which chased away any good men that passed the first step. They chased away altar boys (future priests?) and replaced them with girls and lay women. The whole purpose of the scheme, was precisely to create a priestly shortage, so they could bring in the married priest card, and then TOTALLY wipe out the priesthood.

Good Catholics get what they pray for. Catholics who are indifferent, CINO, and fallen away, get what they ask for. We have bad clergy today because that is what the majority of baptized Catholics wanted. They wanted priest that act like any lax Catholic layman, that are “birth control, no mass, no confession, you are all good, and going to heaven” priests. That;’s what they got! A punishment from God.

Saint John Eudes said that when God is angry with His people, He sends them bad priests as a chastisement.

Here is what he wrote in his book, The Priest, His Dignity and Obligations:

“The most evident mark of God’s anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than charity and affection of devoted shepherds ...
“When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people, and is visiting His most dreadful anger upon them. That is why He cries unceasingly to Christians, ‘Return O ye revolting children ... and I will give you pastors according to My own heart’. (Jer. 3:14,15) Thus, irregularities in the lives of priests constitute a scourge upon the people in consequence of sin.”4
Saint John Eudes warns us that as punishment for man’s sins, God will send us priests who are not according to His own heart, who have a different spirit from that of the Sacred Heart of Our Lord, who have a different heart from that of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

Welcome to Free Republic and than you for that post!

I reside in a diocese shepherded for the past 30+ years by a very progressive bishop. Over the years, I have heard from several young men that they were turned down for the seminary because they did not support women's ordination. That's right ... that is one of the questions they were asked when they appeared before the diocesan board. Needless to say, the number of priests has dropped significantly (retirement and death). The bishop has now turned several parishes over to Lay Ecclesial leaders (usually women) and placed some of his remaining priests in cars to drive to those parishes during the week in order to consecrate a sufficient number of hosts for their weekend, priestless masses.

Several years ago, I began battling liturgical abuse in my parish. That priest wanted to introduce liturgical dance into his parish and asked the Director for Religious Education to find some volunteers among the Confirmation candidates ... my students. I confronted him on the issue, pointing out that liturgical dance was banned by the bishops. I eventually brought this to the bishop's attention. He sent it to the Director for Liturgy and Divine Worship, who wrote back in support of the priest. Undaunted, I wrote a 2nd time, quoting canon law. That ended the confrontation. Not surprisingly, there were other abuses. None of the other parishioners cared about them for fear they would lose their priest.

Eventually, I just could not take it anymore. I asked our Lord to guide me to "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community in need of whatever my God-given gifts". That day I compiled a list of other parishes within a certain radius of home. At the recommendation of another freeper, I included 2 Eastern Catholic Churches. Each Sunday I would attend mass at a different RC parish, always repeating that prayer. Eventually, one of the Eastern (Maronite) Catholic Churches surfaced on the list. A bit nervous, I set off to experience that liturgy. While waiting for Mass to begin, I prayed the rosary and, once again, the prayer I had composed.

On that March 7th Sunday, exactly 6 years ago, I was moved to tears of joy by the beauty of their liturgy. When I left the church that day, I was enrobed in peace. The following Sunday, I had planned to continue with the list but opted to return to the Maronite Church. Once again, peace engulfed me. It was accompanied by a desire to help them build a bigger church. Over these past 6 years, I have been asked to join the women's sodality, the parish council, the centennial committee, and be the Director for Religious Education. Interestingly enough, the pastor had purchased a 160 year old, former Methodist/Episcopal Church and needed help in financing its restoration. I went through state programs to have the property recognized as a historic landmark and that qualified us to apply for a matching grant to restore the stained glass windows. More than 400 applications were submitted for only 16 grants. When the winners were announced, we were on the list!

I can't help but recognize how our Lord works through us to accomplish His plans. Sincerely seeking a new parish, I heeded His command: "Seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you". In praying for that much needed grant, I recalled the words of St. Paul: "If God is for you, who can be against you?".

In the midst of such a progressive diocese, a beacon of light shines. How grateful I am for God's gift in my life.

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