A message from Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J.

Ignatius Press ^ | Apr.27, 2002 | Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J.

[history_matters]

 

A message from Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., Publisher, Ignatius Press.

In the papers, on the talk shows, the mantra is repeated: the cure for the present scandals is a married clergy. Of course, celibacy has nothing to do with these scandals: 1) Look at the Anglican church, which may soon be bankrupt in western Canada because of sex abuse lawsuits. 2) The majority of reported cased are of homosexual relations with young boys, not pedophilia; the perpetrators wouldn't be marrying women even if they had the chance. (And what kind of woman would marry these twisted souls?)

And, of course, all the discredited myths about the discipline of celibacy in the Catholic Church are trotted out.

For example:

• Celibacy wasn't imposed in the Church until the 6th (or 9th, or 10th) century.
  
  
• The motive for imposing celibacy was to prevent Church property from being inherited by the children of the clergy.

The truth is that the Church's obligation of celibacy goes back to the apostles in an *unbroken* line. And the motivation for celibacy was the closer following of Jesus Christ, who required his apostles to leave wife and family, to become "eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom". But don't take my word for it. Ignatius Press has published a number of books which demolish the myths and provide compelling evidence for this unbroken tradition, the jewel of the Catholic priesthood:

By the way:

1. If you want to follow these and other controversies, get the inside information, and the unvarnished truth, you'll want to subscribe to Catholic World Report.
   
   The Gay Priest Problem - Check out this special preview article from our upcoming May issue: Fr. Paul Shaughnessy's hard-hitting article on the Gay Priest Problem. Find out how problems in the Church have led to the current situation--and how we can prevent more abuse from happening.

Books on Celibacy and Related Issues Published by Ignatius Press:

Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy Christian Cochini, S.J. This is the definitive scholarly statement on the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Church East and West. What Cochini shows through patristic sources and conciliar documentation is that from the beginning of the Church, although married men could be priests, they were required to vow to celibacy before ordination, meaning they intended to live a life of continence. He provides extensive documentation, a bibliography and an index.

	The Case for Clerical Celibacy Cardinal Alfons Stickler In order to arrive at a correct understanding of the much discussed topic of clerical celibacy, this book clarifies the pertinent facts and the discipline found within the Church from its beginnings until the present time, and explores the theological reasons for celibacy. Cardinal Stickler begins with a discussion of the relevant sources and current scholarship to support his conclusions.

NEW - Priesthood and Diaconate Gerhard Ludwig Muller With the apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church has presented the tradition of conferring Holy Orders on men only as an expression of divine revelation and hence as a doctrine that binds in faith. This makes clear that the Church's practice in this regard cannot be interpreted as a concession to the customs of an age, for instance to a discrimination against women on sociological grounds. The Church's teaching is founded, rather, upon a theology of the sexes, which is based on the relationship of man and woman originating in creation itself. This relationship is sanctified to the utmost in the Sacrament of Matrimony, as the concrete symbol of God's love for mankind.

	Celibacy in the Early Church Stefan Heid Heid presents a penetrating and wide-ranging study of the historical data from the early Church on the topics of celibacy and clerical continence. He gives a brief review of recent literature, and then begins his study with the New Testament and follows it all the way to Justinian and the Council in Trullo in 690 it the East and the fifth century popes in the West. He thoroughly examines the writings of the Bible, the early church councils, saints and theologians like Jerome, Augustine, Clement, Tertullian, John Chrystostom, Cyril and Gregory Nazianzen. He has gathered formidable data with conclusive arguments regarding obligatory continence in the early Church.

Women in the Priesthood? Dr. Manfred Hauke This book should become the standard reference in the debate about women's ordination. The author cites copiously from American as well as European sources and presents the feminist position in the words and categories of the leading feminist authors. But, for the first time, the whole question is placed in the comprehensive context of anthropology, biology, psychology, philosophy, and theology. You will find a balanced presentation of the profound consistency of the Catholic Church's teaching and the practice concerning the role of women in the Church and in society. Written in a scholarly, yet very readable manner.

	Deaconesses Aime Georges Martimort Since the 17th century the history of deaconesses in the Church has been the subject of numerous monographs. What is most evident about the history of deaconesses, however, is how complex the whole subject is. In this exhaustive and thoroughly researched work, Martimort presents a very readable analysis that has become the standard study of the role of women deaconesses in the early Church. He presents in as complete and objective fashion as possible the history, who and what these deaconesses were and what their functions were.

Truth About Homosexuality Fr. John Harvey This book addresses the complex moral and pastoral questions involved in both homosexual orientation and activity, including an analysis of lifestyles in accord with the Christian Gospel, and those running counter to the Christian perception. Fr. Harvey, a pioneer in the pastoral care of homosexual persons through his organization Courage, gives a comprehensive view of the issues involved in homosexuality.

 

 

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

I have not consciously used "libs" or "liberals" with regard to celibacy questions exclusively. Whether linkage with the pedophile/sex abuse scandals is a prudent course for theological and canonical debates on celibacy is, I think, debatable. Everyone with a position on this will argue for their own point of view. Being neither celibate nor a priest, perhaps I'm not the best expert to debate either way. I've known excellent celibate priests who I think are/were neither homosexual, nor abusive.

[pro-life]

the problem here is that there are sodomite priests. these are all cases of sodomy against young boys, and the way to deal with this is to make sure that no sodomites are allowed into the priesthood. right now, the priesthood is seen as a great option by many sodomites because they are not allowed to be married, so people dont look at it as strange that they are not married. allowing priests to marry would alleviate this problem. paul said that he wishes everybody could be called to celibacy, however not everybody is, and not all priests are called to celibacy. therefore, Rome should not force this on people, considering that God did say that it is good to marry, and that bishops should be married.

[eastsider]

I have not consciously used "libs" or "liberals" with regard to celibacy questions exclusively.

Many thanks for the reply. Attempts to consider relaxing mandatory celibacy is usually met with strong opposition on this forum (FR attracts one tough crowd!), especially during the present crisis when all our nerves are frayed. So, my apologies for misunderstanding your previous post -- let's just say I'm a little sensitive about the word "liberal." : )

God bless.

[OxfordMovement]

The real question isn't celibacy or marriage. The real question is holiness. The active homosexuals have to be there by intentional infiltration. This sort of thing doesn't just happen.

As an ex-Episcopalian I don't look at married clergy or anything as a cure-all for what ails the Church. But I do think the largest part of the answer lies in the universal call to holiness, a call which is as much for the celibate monk or nun as it is for the married couple.

[sinkspur]

The real question is holiness.

Well, duh.

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

Nobody's looking for a "cure all"; just an alternative to what seems to be an overwhelming sexually active gay presence in the priesthood.

[sinkspur]

The real question is holiness.

Well, duh.

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

Nobody's looking for a "cure all"; just an alternative to what seems to be an overwhelming sexually active gay presence in the priesthood.

[OxfordMovement]

Let's just ask everybody to "be good" and see what happens.

If that is what you think the universal call to holiness is, I am saddened for you.

[history_matters]

Thank you for your non-Catholic advice. Married men may be ordained to the priesthood in the 20 plus Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

[history_matters]

The active homosexuals have to be there by intentional infiltration. This sort of thing doesn't just happen.

There are all sorts of anti-apostles who have made there way into the Church to destroy it. But they will not prevail. Christ wins.

[eastsider]

Married men may be ordained to the priesthood in the 20 plus Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.

I'm not so sure that the Eastern-rite Catholics are permitted to exercise this part of their rite in this jurisdiction (i.e., the land of the free).

[history_matters]

They are now under the new Code of Canon Law.

[sinkspur]

If that is what you think the universal call to holiness is, I am saddened for you.

The "call to holiness" should be a given to people devoted to the religious life. Asserting that prayer and rededication to following Christ is all that is needed to deal with the present crisis is too facile. Bishops are going to have to be more open with their people or they will never regain the trust of those people.

[Lady In Blue]

Thanks very much for your bump! Way to go Fr.Fessio!

[eastsider]

Very welcome good news! Tx. : )

[ELS]

Rome should not force this on people

No one is forced to become a Catholic priest.

[history_matters]

Bishops are going to have to be more open with their people or they will never regain the trust of those people.

If they would dress in sackcloth and ashes that would be a good start IMO.

[tiki]

Having lost confidence in the Princes of the Church, I am ready for a greater role for laity in the governance ... but I honestly don't know the what or how of that -- I just know the foxes guarding the hen house have to go.

Okay, there are too many bad priests because even one is too many but don't forget that there are good ones out there too. As for the laity I think we have to remember "that all politics are local" that is where we can have the greatest impact. We can ask our priests to be faithful to the faith, we can encourage the ones who do and fight against the ones who don't.

The hierarchy is what helps to keep the Catholic Church, Catholic and we need to recognize the Pharisees and listen to Jesus through the Bible, when they are speaking the Truth we need to listen. We need to do as they say, not as they do. God will judge them and the souls that were hurt by their sinfulness and deception.

On this board there are mostly conservative Catholics but I think that throughout the US we are outnumbered by the liberal Catholics and they support the priests who hold their same views.

What we are going through right now reminds me of the OT. The Israelites were always pushing God to the limit and then something awful would happen and God would rescue them and once again they'd turn back to God. It won't be any different this time and all we can do is remain true to God and weather the storm.

Just a few disconnected thoughts.

[pro-life]

yes, but many people may be called to lead in this way, yet not called to celibacy.

[saradippity]

I am always surprised when people "slip" in the fact that "after all the apostles were married",when debating the celibacy issue. Give me one example that supports that statement. And please don't use Peter. The most that can be verified in the 4 Gospels is that Peter was married at one time. He had a mother-in-law,that we learn in each of the gospels. But it is possible that a mother outlives her child,my mother-in-law was 58 when my husband died and she lived until she was 78.

With regards Matthew 19:23-30,my Douay-Rheims has "wife",listed immediately before children.So why would one advocate for the married priest when it seems clear that Jesus is asking that all these things be given up to follow Him? Does that make any sense to you?