Fr. Dennis Tamburello, a Franciscan priest and Professor of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudonville NY writes a blog, Friar at large, for the Albany Times Union (by the way, they use Word Press).
In today’s post, Take celibacy . . . please! he tackles the issue of celibacy as understood by the R.C. Church in a very even handed way. He completely avoids posturing on the issue. His thoughts are worth a read.
As a PNCC member and clergyman I agree with him.
Celibacy is a grace that is given, but not one that can be demanded. The R.C. Church cannot demand that God bestow that grace on an individual.
Father Tamburello’s points regarding issues of cost and dealing with some of the problems inherent in marriages are worth noting, but it is also worth noting that the PNCC and Orthodoxy have worked through these issues quite well. The R.C. Church is working through them in its dealings with married deacons. They are not show stoppers.
As previously noted in the blog, the PNCC studied and debated the issue of celibacy over the course of at least three synods. The exact issues discussed in Fr. Tamburello’s post were debated and resolved. As the Young Fogey points out from time to time and as I will apply to celibacy: All can, some should, none must.
Also notice the two comments immediately following the post. Typical absolutism of the extremes.
The first response is typical R.C. triumphalism; the we’re always right point of view. The commentator refuses to acknowledge the fact that Jesus, the Apostles, and the Fathers chose married men. Did Jesus make a mistake? Hmmm.
The second response tries to combine Biblical inerrancy with a political agenda. The writer misses the fact that the Catholic Church (The R.C., Orthodox, Oriental, and PNCC Churches) base their beliefs on Scripture and Tradition. Perhaps the commentator works for the IRS? As an accountant/auditor I know very well that unless an item is specifically excluded from income it is income. In the same vein perhaps the commentator believes that unless it is specifically mentioned in the Bible as right or wrong, it’s OK.
All that being said, abrogating mandatory celibacy is not the magic fix some envision. Ask your local old school protestant clergy person – they have a dearth of vocations as well. For an extreme example look at the Episcopal Church – you can be and do anything, and belief in Jesus is optional (they tend to like Gaia). They are dying off faster than the Dodo.
On the same topic, Catholic Online has a reprint of a story from CISA about African priests and seminarians who are being encouraged to join a Church (looks like vagantes) based on their take on celibacy. See: Anti-celibacy sect wooing Kenyan Catholic priests, ex-seminarians.
