From the BBC: French villagers back priest with partner

A Catholic priest in south-west France has been forced out of the clergy after admitting to the Church authorities that he was having a sexual relationship with one of his parishioners. The BBC’s Emma Jane Kirby says this has set off a fresh debate about celibacy in the Church.

There is a wonderful sense of stillness in the mountains overlooking the little village of Asson – a few swallows surf gently on the upwind currents and a shepherd sits quietly watching his flock of fat, thickly pelted sheep graze on the velvet grass.

It is a bit like one of those bucolic woodcut scenes you find in ancient bibles. But, in this religious landscape, those who break the rules are quickly cast asunder.

To a passer by, Fr Leon and his partner Marga probably look like any other middle-aged couple taking an evening stroll together.

He is twinkly eyed and looks a little like Dustin Hoffman. She seems warm and open and is still a very attractive woman. But in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, Leon and Marga are sinners.

‘Closer to God’

For the past 22 years, the couple have been in a sexual relationship, which is forbidden to a Catholic priest who has vowed to remain celibate. Fr Leon admits he has broken his promise but claims that being in love has brought him closer to God and his congregation.

“I haven’t been strictly faithful to all my vows,” he says.

“And I worried that by breaking some of those vows I had hurt Our Lord. But I think God can see that my relationship with Marga has brought real fruits to the Church – far from being a handicap to my mission as a priest, she’s been a great support. I just wish the Church could see that.”

There is no doubt that Fr Leon has been an excellent parish priest…

Let’s do some parsing out of the good Father’s problem.

Now certainly living with and having a sexual relationship with Marga is sinful and improper. Father and Marga are committing adultery – and Father, who is in a position of some authority (including social stature and economic resources) is committing a sin against her by not engendering his love for her in the state of matrimony.

There’s that nagging question though, are Father and Marga completely at fault for their actions? Let’s see if the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church can shed some light on that question.

II. RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF PERSONS

Respect for the souls of others: scandal

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

2285 Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt 18:6; cf. I Cor 8:10-13.) Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing. (Cf. Mt 7:15.)

2286 Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion.

Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to “social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible.” (Pius XII, Discourse, June 1,1941.) This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger, (Cf. Eph 6:4; Col 3:21.) or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values.

2287 Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!” (Lk 17:1.)

We’re getting there.

As I have often said, demanding gifts from the Holy Spirit doesn’t work. The Holy Spirit is not going to give the gift or grace of celibate living to every priest. In addition, I recall no calling down of that gift from the Holy Spirit in the Roman Church’s Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate or Priesthood. There is a promise made in the Ordination Rite to the Order of Deacon, but, that is a human promise, subject to the maturation of the person making that promise.

Priests in the Roman Church are put in a lonely and difficult position. Is the grace given to some, to fulfill their calling as part of a celibatecelibacy means no marriage, as opposed to chastity, which we are all called to practice (i.e., Thou shalt not commit adultery) life actually necessary for all? My Church certainly doesn’t think so, nor do most Catholic bodies in the world.

I fully support clergy members who are given the grace of celibacy. I think we all pray for them and support them in their ministry. However, it is not necessary onto salvation.

In part, the good Father’s sins are his own making. In part, they are not, but caused by a man made system that applied absolutely, damages more than it helps.

Pray for Fr. Leon and Marga.

Father Leon, if you ever come across this article, write to us. Our Church would be happy to welcome you and Marga.