[This is the second part of a two-part series on unmarried priests. To read Part One, click here.]
The traditional Christian teaching that sexual intercourse is only legitimate in marriage is now counter cultural.
Christians do not believe that everyone has a right to sexual activity, so that a celibate person is one who is both unmarried and sexually inactive. Celibacy is not unnatural, because humans, unlike animals can control their sexual instincts, while Christians believe that sexual activity is good, when it is linked to love and open to the possibility of children. When sex becomes a commodity sexual partners become objects, something to be used for pleasure.
Priestly celibacy has to be seen within the context of Christian faith, because while there is a clear dimension of sacrifice and self control, celibacy is also seen as sacred, a very personal offering to Christ not simply a renunciation to be borne stoically. Celibacy clearly states that not only sex but even family love are not all important. It spells out part of the meaning of Christ's teaching that the first and greatest commandment is to love God, while the second is that we love one another.
The immense Catholic network of services throughout Australia was built in less than 200 years primarily through the work of unmarried priests, sisters and brothers, because celibacy releases immense reservoirs of energy and time for the service of people.
Marriage and family life are the basis of all civilization, but they can fluctuate between heaven and hell and always take hard work, time and energy.
Christ is the most important model for all Christians and for a Catholic priest, who is defined as "another Christ," it is important that Christ was unmarried, as were Paul, the great missionary and John, the youngest of the apostles. On the other hand Peter, the head of the apostles, was certainly married as Jesus cured his mother-in-law from sickness!
Like Christ a priest is called to a spiritual paternity, to nurture Christians through the sacraments and prayer and generate new children through baptism. Through celibacy his heart should be undivided, less distracted and more focused for service.
The sacrifice of celibacy is still the best sign to people generally that a man is not a priest out of self interest, while it also remains a potent witness to the reality of life after death where Christ has explained there will be no sexual intercourse.
Catholic priests generally are very effective servants of their people, called on by day and by night and they are respected and often loved by their people for this.
A missionary priest said that he had traveled widely and never been among strangers, only brothers and sisters. A celibate priest's life should be full of friendships, supported by his brother priests.
But it is not for everyone. Psychological testing now supplements the long years of preparation for those who aspire to be celibate priests.
