Bad examples do not invalidate the value of priestly celibacy, says bishop

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Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 7, 2009 / 04:13 pm (CNA).- Bishop Juan Ruben Martinez of Posadas in Argentina said celibacy cannot be reduced to a "mere imposition of the Church" and that "bad examples and even our own limitations do not invalidate the contribution of so many who, in the past and today, give their lives for others."

Bishop Martinez said that a "materialistic vision" of man that is based solely on "instinct and the physiological" makes it difficult to these values as a "gift of God" and an "instrument of service to humanity and to the common good." He recognized that "from materialistic anthropology, celibacy and monogamous marriage tend to be considered as something unnatural." However, he warned, "To reduce celibacy to a mere imposition of the Church is in fact to insult our intelligence and Christ himself who was ‘the eternal high priest,’ ‘celibate,’ and gave his life for all of us, and he himself recommended it. It is to insult the biblical texts which show great respect for celibacy and chastity for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, and it insults the Fathers, doctors and pastors of the Church from apostolic times to the present."

"Uniting celibacy with the priestly ministry is a more radical Gospel choice made by the Church based on her authority and supported by the Word of God and the testimony of the saints and of so many men and women who, throughout history, strove and strive through this gift and even through their own frailties to give everything exclusively to God and his people. Bad examples and even our own limitations do not invalidate the contribution of so many who, in the past and today, give their lives for others," the bishop said.

He went on to note that only on the basis of faith can we have "a profound understanding of issues such as life, the family, marriage, the Church and her mission, the priesthood and celibacy."

Bishop Martinez encouraged Catholics to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, "trusting in the initiative of God and man’s response," and he thanked God, who continues to call young people to consecrate themselves to God and their brothers and sisters. "They respond to the call because they believe in love," he said.

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: David
San Antonio, TX 05/17/2009 02:12 PM EST

Cradle Catholic:
When you say that priests are being asked to "forsake" marriage and that their way of life is being "imposed" by the Church, It can only be concluded that you don't have a good understanding of the Catholic faith. I say that in all due respect and in the spirit of truth. The priesthood is a vocation not a career choice. Marriage is also a vocation, in fact it's the vocation to which most people are called.

A married priesthood would make the Church healthier? Really? And when a married priest decides he wants a divorce, then what? What about when a priest decides to marry another man because it's legal in the state where he resides?

Published by: Cradle Catholic
Palo Alto CA USA 05/13/2009 06:45 PM EST

God never asked for priests to forsake marriage, so why would the church want to impose that life on men?

Even in the Old Testament, priests were married. And there have always been problems too, look at the sons of Eli. A married priesthood would make the church healthier, it won't make it perfect.

Everyone agrees that the bible is the inspired Word of God, so let's listen to God's instructions for the qualifications for the priesthood, namely the ideal is a married MAN.

Published by: David
San Antonio TX 05/12/2009 10:38 PM EST

This is not about celibacy. I've seen several articles over the last few days about "the celibacy debate" in the Catholic church. The real issue is whether or not Latin-Rite priests can be married or not. Any catholic who is not married, like myself, is obligated to be celibate. Neither is it Church doctrine that priest can't be married. There are in fact many married Catholic priest, they do however belong to Eastern-Rites. But none the less they're still Catholic. This is a matter of obedience and authority, that Latin-Rite Catholics are not to marry unless they get special permission due to very particular circumstances. One question I would have is, if a priest isn't able to keep his vows and commitment to the church then what's to keep him from breaking commitments to women he may "fall in love" with? We obviously have a priest shortage but I don't believe for a minute that not being able to marry is the problem. It's a much bigger issue of parents not providing a solid catholic christian formation in the home.

Published by: Young Catholic
St. Paul MN 05/12/2009 03:24 PM EST

NO one if forced to be a priest. If a man feels he is called to be a priest but does not want to live a celibate life he is not forced to be a priest. It is not sufficent to feel called to be a priest one must also be willing to live a celibate life.

Published by: Cradle Catholic
Palo Alto, CA, USA 05/11/2009 07:52 PM EST

Some Scriptural references for a married MALE clergy:

1) 1 Timothy 3:1-5

St. Paul wrote a pastoral letter to Timothy, who was setting up a church in Ephesus, and he reasoned, "For if a man cannot manage his own little family with dignity, how can he take care of the church of God?"

2) Titus Chapter 1

St. Paul wrote the same thing to Titus, who was setting up the church in Crete.

3) 1Corinthians 9:5

St. Paul, in defending his right to be called an 'apostle' wrote, "Do not Barnabus and I have the right to be married to a believing woman, as do (Peter) and the rest of the apostles?"

My biggest fear in *not* addressing the issue of celibacy for the diocesan priesthood NOW is that the more radical lay Catholics (and even many priests I know) are calling for *women* to be ordained priests.

There is NO Scriptural or Traditional basis for women priests. None. Zip. Nada.

The closest I could come to *any* role an ORDAINED woman would have in the church is that of deacon, which is a service role. Phoebe, in the bible may have had that role.
But NOT a priest.

If the hierarchy continues to ignore the issue, by insisting on mandatory celibacy in the diocesan priesthood, within 2 generations, the Roman Catholic church will go the way of the radical Anglian & Episcopalean.

Look at all the "Catholic" politicians that have destroyed this country? Radical Catholics will do that to the church THEY pay the bills: ie Georgetown University accommodating Obama.

Published by: Pedro Villacorta
Cumming, GA 05/11/2009 02:33 PM EST

The Church pays close attention to scripture, after all Saint Paul reminds us that: An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided.
So it is within the Sacred Scripture that this tradition of the Church is based.

Published by: Pedro
Cumming, GA 05/11/2009 02:30 PM EST

It is a shame that we try to take from the Church such a well rooted tradition, we seem to forget what Saint Paul said in the first letter to the Corinthians: An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided.
It is true this is a Church custom, but IT IS rooted in Sacred Scripture, contrary to what is depicted in some comments here.

Published by: lucy muzeroll
waterville maine 05/09/2009 04:13 AM EST

we need priest so bad
we have a church here in waterville for sale.its a shame they can not marry as they lead a lonely life and die alone. itsa sin!!
i would say that is birth control !! if only the bishops and cardinals did what awesome children they would of had and maybe
they would of had sons to be priest or nuns !!
such a waste of good sperm !!! how sad. st
paul was married an others was it pope gregory who made this
rule, what a mess he made and their would not be all this abuse !!! so sad !!!!!

Published by: Dawn Lapka
Hastings, NE, USA 05/09/2009 12:53 AM EST

I agree with you, Cradle Catholic. I can see how hard it is for the diocesan priest, to promise celibacy. I believe that for the diocesan priest, it should be something that is optional. What happens if the priest falls in love after he is ordained? What happens if a person can not stay married to the spouse of his or her youth, even though that couple has tried, and can not? Should those people be thrown away, to protestant churches? St. Paul himself gave us the Pauline Principle, and told us that it is good for a man to be with a woman if he can not control his behavior. The same holds true for a woman. People are no less valuable to be divorced, and priests are no less valuable to be married. I do believe that celibacy should be preserved, and virginity should be maintained in the people who didn't already mess up in that department, however, and the Bishop is right on in his notions.

Published by: Cradle Catholic
Palo Alto, CA, USA 05/08/2009 02:50 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Celibacy is merely a practice. It could be changed tomorrow. For the diocesan priesthood, mandatory celibacy should be stopped.

Celibacy for priests has *no* scriptural basis to it. It is contrary to 1Corinthians 9:5. Thus, it has no apostolic basis to it either.

St. Patrick, credited for having brought Catholicism to Ireland, was the grandson of a Roman Catholic priest and the son of a Roman Catholic deacon.

While celibacy DOES have value, for men that choose that life, it ought not be mandated for the diocesan priesthood, nor should it be a lifetime "vow" or "promise" to God. A lifetime vow or promise of no marriage does not even appear in the Old Testament.

In light of all the Scriptural references that call for a married MALE priesthood, and the church Tradition that confirms it, the Vatican should end the practice of celibacy for the diocesan priesthood now. The bible ought not be disregarded by the Roman Catholic church.

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