Catholic bishops maintain celibacy not linked to pedophilia

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Comments: 16

Vienna, Austria, Mar 11, 2010 / 08:30 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- After media outlets misinterpreted an article by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn to say that he is questioning the Church's rule of priestly celibacy, several high ranking churchmen have spoken out in praise of celibacy as a gift. They also dismissed the idea that celibacy is connected to pedophilia.

Greeting participants and introducing the sessions for the international theological conference taking place at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome on Thursday, Cardinal Claudio Hummes called the celibacy of priests "a gift of the Holy Spirit." Other cardinals have also weighed in on the role of celibacy in recent days.

"Priestly celibacy is a gift of the Holy Spirit that asks to be understood and lived with fullness of meaning and joy, in total rapport with the Lord," said Cardinal Hummes, the prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, according to ASCA news of Italy.

"This unique and privileged relationship with God makes the priest the true witness of a singular spiritual paternity ..." continued Cardinal Hummes.

He went on to say that "the Church, insofar as the mystical body of Christ, sees all faithful associated by the gift of being a priestly people, but at the same time we know that Christ chooses some (who) are priests that continue the mission for him."

The question of celibacy and its possible role in recent cases of sexual abuses against minors has been in European headlines over the last two months.

According to an ANSA report on Thursday, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, president of Caritas International, said, "I don't understand how there can be a link between celibacy and child sex abuse," and noted that the media frenzy only focused on abuse cases involving priests.

Bishop Gerhard Muller of Regensburg, Germany, who is now dealing with sex abuse cases in his diocese, said it was "nonsense" to associate pedophilia with celibacy.

The comments by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna which sparked speculation that he supported a reconsideration of the discipline of celibacy were made in an article he wrote for the diocesan magazine “Thema Kirche.”

In the article, Cardinal Schönborn called for an "unflinching examination" of possible reasons for pedophilia, and said that this includes the issues of training priests "as well as the question of what happened in the so-called sexual revolution.”

"It also includes the issue of priest celibacy and the issue of personality development. It requires a great deal of honesty, both on the part of the church and of society as a whole."

His comments were clarified by diocesan spokesman after headlines in international media touting his support for an end to celibacy were published. The spokesman said that Cardinal Schönborn was not questioning the Church's position on celibacy "in any way."

Comments: 16

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Professor Emeritus P B
USA, NY/NY 04/17/2010 03:45 PM EST

Celibacy refers to the non-marital status; that of bachelorhood, not Chastity. Chastity among non-homosexual men is foolish and in a modern world invites perversion. There is NO evidence Jesus was chaste or celibate. Almost 30 years of his life, from birth to age 12 and age 12 to age 30, is missing. The Eastern Rite has married priests, so does the Protestant church and Hebrew religions, including the Hebrew Messianic church (after Jesus Brother James), none of them appear to have had a major problem with perversion. Men who do not have sexual relationships with adult women are suspect, in minds of most of the world. The church in trying to avoid paying the keep for wives and children now have a far greater cost over lawsuits. That should tell them something. Their best way of supporting themselves is to allow the many high income couples who want to be clergy, join them and be rid of their version of "bachelors." Name a dozen of God's Early prophets who were not polygamous, these are men who spoke ear to mouth with God and back.

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 03/14/2010 07:44 PM EST

The Church needs a lay watchdog organization to monitor bishops.

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 03/14/2010 07:42 PM EST

Jeannie Colson, your version of history is fabricated for your agenda of attacking the Church. The rule of celibacy was not instituted for money but for furthering the Kingdom of God. St Peter was the first pope. Scripture was assembled and validated by the Church in the third century. The word "celibacy" does not have to be found in Scripture ... study up on reading 101. Pray the Rosary.

Published by: Claudia
duluth,mn, usa 03/13/2010 12:06 PM EST

If celibacy causes child abuse, then why are the majority of sexually abused children abused by their "Married" parents?

Published by: Henry
usa 03/13/2010 09:48 AM EST

Why is it the world is unable to recognize and deal with the issue of homosexuality? Pedaphilia is the political scapegoat of priestly abuse of kids. No one touches homosexuality in the press because they are backed monetarily by large corporations. This business of clericalism being the reason for pedaphilia is a copout. Liberalism in the church is by far the reason homosexuality is not admitted and tolerated , both male and female versions . Clericalism is hardly the issue, modernism in the church has allowed , admitted and tolerated this sexual deviancy for far too long.

Published by: David Werling
South Bend/Indiana 03/13/2010 08:55 AM EST

After reading Cardinal Schönborn's article in whole and for myself, I can totally understand why the media interpreted it the way they did. It vague called for an investigation of celibacy and... That sounds to me like Schönborn is saying celibacy needs to be questioned. I think he was intentionally vague. He put the idea out there, then back peddles to keep himself out of hot water. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn can not be trusted.

Published by: Jason
Kenner USA 03/12/2010 06:25 PM EST

I am not a priest. I have been divorced for over ten years and have been chaste in that time. I am still well under 50 and am still moved by women as healthy men are. In all my time of embracing chastity I have not experienced any deviant impulses. Such activity is as foreign and repulsive to me as when I was a married man. You don't go berserk and molest children simply because you are not in a sexual relationship with a woman. To think so is absolutely dimwitted.

Published by: Tony de New York
U.S.A. 03/12/2010 03:33 PM EST

Jeannie Coleson , JESUS said: 11Jesus told them, "Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching. 12Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others STALY SINGLE FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so."

Published by: winkby
anywhere, usa 03/12/2010 02:59 PM EST

if celibacy is the cause of perversion and every sexual abuse...then every infant, child, junvenille, and virgin should register on every civil authorities offenders list. these lies and presumptions either has malicious agenda and profound stupidity in its beholder. why do we continue beat this dead horse???

Published by: bt
Seattle, WA, U.S. 03/12/2010 01:45 PM EST

In the zip code that I live in, which is six square miles, per a simple googling of the zip code on the internet, I can see that there are over 30 registered sex offenders. I doubt that any of these are priests, and I suspect none have taken a vow of celibacy either. This problem is obviously not limited to the clergy, yet when the clergy are involved, they will receive the most scrutiny because of their public role and presumed holiness. Hopefully with the spotlight presently on this problem, our society can work towards a better understanding of the roots of sin and evil, and treating and healing those involved, all of us being children of God. Our culture is pervaded by sexual imagery, on the internet, in magazines, in movies, in ads, in books, and on tv, to a far greater extent than it was a few decades ago. There seems to be much here for our society on which to reflect, but is anyone reflecting?

Published by: Jeannie Coleson
Midland Texas USA 03/12/2010 11:46 AM EST

Rate: Regular

According to the Bible, "Celibacy," is not mentioned as being one of the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit." I don't think that I'll ever be able to put a teaching of any Pope on par with the teachings of Sts. Peter and Paul. St. Peter was married. Remember, Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Priests prior to the 11 century were allowed to marry. When the Papacy decided, for financial reasons, that it would be better if priests were forbidden to marry, they had to blame someone, and who was the most likely, unavailable candidate for an explanation? The Holy Spirit of course. Being that mere mortals, i.e. the Laity, were no longer taught that they could hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and be led by the Holy Spirit in their daily lives, it was easy for the Vatican to pass this lie off as being credible, for we all know that the Vatican has the one and only direct link to the Holy Spirit. Right? Millions of Protestants and Charismatic Catholics would disagree! Now for the Vatican to openly admit that celibacy is not a good idea, She would have to admit that some Pope from the 11th century, whose name no one remembers for his theological scholarship. made a ridiculous, stupid rule that wasn't practical in any age! The only reason the Church doesn't want married priests is that She would need to ensure that a priest and his family is given a livable wage and housing accommodations. That would be a lot cheaper than paying out Billions of Dollars in compensation.

Published by: Brian
Lafayette, IN, USA 03/12/2010 11:37 AM EST

Celibacy is indeed a gift, and a sacred discipline that should be maintained (indeed as the expressed recommendation of St. Paul). Those who plead otherwise either do not realize that (1) sexual abuse of minors is a recent phenomenon, though celibacy has been the mandatory rule since the fourth century; or (2) the rates of sexual abuse by clergy - though terrible - are not statistically greater than the rates of sexual abuse by *married* adults in other professions that deal with children (teachers, etc). Re: Michael "The celibacy might be preserved, but purely on voluntary level." This is exactly the practice of the Church: the decision to respond to a call to the priestly vocation is voluntary, and with that voluntary response is a voluntary decision to live and love the cross that comes with them: celibacy, but along with that a host of other things.

Published by: Bob Cavalcante
Lancaster, PA 03/12/2010 11:08 AM EST

Merlin, the fact is that the incidence of clerical pedophelia is 2% and it's the same statistical percentage as that of married heterosexual males. Priests are still flawed humans and sinners too. So according to that fact, if you, like me, are a heterosexual married man, you have the same chance of becoming a pedophile as any priest. Celibacy IS in the Bible. That whole LEAVE EVERYTHING and follow me thing. EVERYTHING includes your families, your wives, your old ways - EVERYTHING. God's blessings.

Published by: Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
New Castle, Delaware, USA 03/12/2010 09:14 AM EST

Celibacy is not the cause of the sexual abuse of untold numbers of minor children, young women, men or vulnerable adults any more than heterosexuality or homosexuality is the cause. However, it is related in that research has shown that the majority of men accepted to seminaries and ordained as priests have been found to be very immature psyco-sexually. That, together with a historically practically non-existent educational program for understanding their own sexuality and integrating it into their lives, certainly is contributory. Clericalism is the problem. The abuse of power and authority in the church is the problem. The hierarchy's enabling and facilitating crimes of sexual abuse whether of children, young people or nuns and then covering it up is the problem. Sister Maureen Paul Turlish Victims' Advocate New Castle, Delaware maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com

Published by: Michael
Holland 03/12/2010 03:42 AM EST

Every serious research and even more so, every serious self-analysis will clearly indicate that there is a clear link between celibacy and sexual behavior. A young person deciding to enter the priesthood may have no idea what it means to live in celibacy. When Cardinal Hummes says that “priestly celibacy is a gift of the Holy Spirit”, he actually confirms this assertion - You cannot receive this gift through your decision but only through the grace of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament does not even request this discipline, but only recommends it. So, the Catholic Church may continue to claim otherwise, but the history shows that the celibacy is causing a lot of moral and material damage. The decision is very easy. The celibacy might be preserved, but purely on voluntary level. As long as it is imposed, it will remain to damage people’s faith, the priests and the Church.

Published by: Merlin
Seattle, WA, USA 03/11/2010 10:56 PM EST

The bishops are living in their own little world. It is obvious the rest of us in the world that for a man to live in isolation from women is an unantural thing and leads to unnatural sexual acts. Someday the CHurch will awaken to the fact that the Celibacy issue is a man made rule and not part of the Magisterium, allowing men to foolow their tru calling, to serve God with the love of their lives at their side.

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