Comments on: Priestly Celibacy: Yes, It Is Apostolic

By: Voice of the Clueless « The Divine Lamp

Voice of the Clueless « The Divine Lamp — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:55:49 +0000

[...] who held that married clergy could continue to engage in sexual relations with their wives. I am aware of many ancient sources that witness to the fact that married clergy were required to remain continent. These sources [...]

By: rene

rene — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:33:09 +0000

I myself would feel less secure going to confession to a priest who had a wife back home. You must admit us women have a way of getting information out of our men folk. The local doctor’s wife could almost prescribe for your complaints; which you know you did not tell her about! Blessings – Rene

By: mrteachersir

mrteachersir — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:14:18 +0000

Within both Churches, Orthodox and Catholic, bishops must be celibate. In fact, historically, several saints (St. Gregory Nanzianzen the Elder stands out the most) were elevated to the status of bishop after his wife entered a convent and he the priesthood (when their kids were older).

Consider Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople…he is celibate, as was Alexey of Moscow.

By: Cooky642

Cooky642 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:38:34 +0000

Having spent 25 years in Evangelical Protestantism, I have a “street-wise” view of this issue. Granted that Protestant pastors do not have the same obligations as a priest (i.e., lack of liturgy/sacraments), still there is a commonality in their practice among the faithful in a social, ministerial sense.

During our time in a Free Methodist church, it happened that we became close friends with the pastor and his family. This man was a good and faithful pastor, but I was aware of at least 3 instances when he was NEEDED as a pastor at the same time he was NEEDED by his family. The pressure on him was terrible.

Granted, there are times when a priest is also “caught” in a time-crunch since, in Catholicism, only he can perform certain duties (i.e., the Mass, Confession). However, in all the time that I’ve been back in the Church, I’ve only seen one instance that a priest wasn’t able to “cover”. This gave me a practical sense of the dire need for celibacy.

My heart goes out to these men who serve Jesus’ Body. Every one of them needs prayer from us to help them sustain their charism.

By: cbalducc

cbalducc — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:22:33 +0000

I think bishops in the East must be celibate. God bless.

CKB

By: noelfitz

noelfitz — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:32:33 +0000

Loretta,

Thank you for your reply to me.

Of course I agree with you.

However when I think of the Eastern Church I think of the Orthodox Churches.

God bless,

NoelFitz.
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In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.
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By: Loretta

Loretta — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:52:59 +0000

Noel,
“East and West” does not refer to the Orthodox.
There is the “East” and “West” in the Catholic Church.
Take a look at these CATHOLIC rites:
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm

The “most common” is the Latin rite, a rite of the “West.”
But as you can see, we must refrain from being too provincial.

None of those listed are Orthodox Churches
(Although you will find many names that are also names of the Orthodox – like “Greek Orthodox” … not to be confused with the CATHOLIC rite called “Greek Rite”)
– Loretta

By: noelfitz

noelfitz — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:55:06 +0000

I was interested to read:

“continence is the norm for the priesthood in both East and West from the beginning of the Church’s history”.

I had not known that continence is the norm in the Orthodox Churches.

God bless,

NoelFitz.
_________________________________________________

In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.

By: siobhan32

siobhan32 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:44:15 +0000

It has always amazed me that no one seems able to figure out that Mrs. Peter may have died prior to Peter’s being called by Jesus. Anyway, great graces are bestowed upon us through the charism of celibacy of priests and religious and I am grateful!