Posted on 04/22/2002 5:36:05 PM PDT by Luis Gonzalez
It would be an especially good idea to "hit him up" on his canonization day, June 16.
I had a co-worker who had stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I asked Padre Pio on his beatification day to ask the Lord to cure him. His doctor now refers to him as his "little miracle," and his case was written up in a medical journal.
Padre Pio stikes again!
Your thread is very civilized considering the issue. I, on the other hand, unknowingly started a small religious war over here: We the Priests in order to form a more perfect union...".
Religion should be taken seriously and it should be more than a lifestyle choice. There are some people who blame the vow of celibacy as the cause of the sexual abuse of children. This is not factual. A vow of celibacy may be difficult, since the sexual drive is non-trivial. However, men are not animals. Only those trapped in their immature behavior think that such a vow is an unnatural repression of tremendous energies. Ending the vow of celibacy will not deter homosexuality and pederasty. A man who has demonstrated grave perversity shouldn't be a priest. The priesthood is not a right and it's not subject to government laws. Priesthood is a vocation from God and an office conferred by the Church. Christ gave the apostles the power to bind and unbind -- hence the power of the Church to make law; and the Church, based on tradition and Scripture, may determine who may be a priest. The Church has consistently condemned homosexual behavior, so it is only logical that the Church should agree to enforce a zero- tolerance policy and expel priests found guilty of such abuse.
Just had to print your most excellent text again.
1) The idea that self-control among men is paramount in this issue (as well as in any other area of life), and
2) The concept of the priesthood as a vocation instead of a career.
Self-control among priests is paramount because a priest who has taken a vow of celibacy can't possibly be a good priest if he engages in any sexual behavior. Jesus Christ appoints certain men to renew in his name the sacrifice of our redemption and to share his sacred ministry by the laying on of hands. The Lord calls them to lead God's holy people in love, nourish them by His word, and strengthen them through the sacraments giving them the dignity of royal priesthood to the people he made His own with a brother's love.
Regarding priesthood as a vocation instead of a career, it is because the main goal of the Church is to be a servant to the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and the voiceless. The priest is called to serve God and the Church. Priests vow themselves to live in poverty, chastity and obedience. And it is these same vows of poverty, chastity and obedience which are in stark contrast to the materialism and consumerism, the hedonism so prevalent and the self-willfulness that is so characteristic of our society. It is this simplicity, self-control, and God's will rather than one's own that challenges the priorities of a secular, self-centered and materialistic society. These vows are a prerequisite to be converted to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. The Church would no longer be recognizable as the Church without these gifts from God. This is why these vows must be fostered.
Linguistic literalists who incorrectly interpret brother, sister, brethren, until, firstborn and who do not understand Aramaic add to Scripture by saying Mary had other children. If you would like more information along with additional Biblical proof that Jesus was Marys' only child, please let me know.
;-)
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