Rethinking Mandatory Celibacy

Posted on 05. Jun, 2014, in Celibacy/Sexuality, Church Teachings2 Comments

Twenty-six Italian women who claim to be having affairs with a priest have written to Pope Francis asking him to lift the Catholic clergy’s vow of celibacy. They say they are being forced to “live in silence” and would like to live their love fully.

Mandatory celibacy for priests has long been a controversial issue. Some claim that it was only introduced in the eleventh century, while others say that it may have been much earlier, however most scholars agree that there is no evidence that the early disciples practiced mandatory celibacy. Pope Francis has previously supported priestly celibacy, yet he has also said that it is more Church tradition than hard and fast doctrine. Miriam Gormally spoke with Fr. John Guiney SJ, director of the Jesuit refuge service about the issue.

2 responses to “Rethinking Mandatory Celibacy”

  1. Odemena K Nwamara says:

    Catholicism is a multi millennia long establishment. Catholic Priesthood is a decades long process of self volition and realization. It is not an enlistment like military and all its deadly hazards. Yet, it has, like other Godly establishments: Marriage, Family, Social order suffered untold attacks from within and without. With some prayer and resilience, She will overcome. Jesus Christ is Lord.

  2. Odemena K Nwamara says:

    Catholicism is a multi millennia long establishment. Catholic Priesthood is a decades long process of self volition and realization. It is not an enlistment like military and all its deadly hazards. Yet, it has, like other Godly establishments: Marriage, Family, Social order suffered untold attacks from within and without, especially on the alter of “Freedom and Equality”. With some prayer and resilience, She will overcome. Jesus Christ is Lord.