Cardinal Edward Egan, outgoing Archbishop of New York, said today that priestly celibacy is not a closed issue and is "a perfectly legitimate discussion."
"I think it's going to be looked at, and I am not so sure it wouldn't be a good idea to decide on the basis of geography and culture not to make an across-the-board determination," the cardinal told Fred Dicker, state editor of the N.Y. Post and host of the Fred Dicker Show on 1300 Talk Radio in Albany.
Cardinal Egan, who made the comments during a 30-minute interview on Dicker's radio show while in Albany March 10 for the New York State Catholic Conference's annual Public Policy Day, said that many Eastern Rite Catholic Churches allow married priests with "no problem at all."
"Is it a closed issue? No, that's not a dogmatic stand," he said, when Dicker asked if he had "any hesitancy about priestly celibacy."
The cardinal said his inability to reverse the downward trend in priestly vocations was his "greatest disappointment" as archbishop. During the interview, he also addressed the Church's legislative priorities on issues such as abortion, same sex marriage and education. He told Dicker that he felt the Church was winning the battle of public opinion on abortion thanks to sonogram technology, but losing the battle on the same sex marriage front due to a well-funded PR campaign by proponents.
To hear the entire interview, click here. Go to the March 10 show. Cardinal Egan was on the second half of the one-hour show. His comments on celibacy came at the very end of his 30-minute interview.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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16 comments:
Of course, the Cardinal is right. If priestly celibacy is discipline, not doctrine, the who is being disciplined? It seems to me that if the discipline endangers the Church's sacramental mission, then the discipline should be relaxed, if not removed.
Making celibacy optional would not solve all the problems of providing priests as leaders in the communities, but it would help and it wouldn't hurt..........celibacy is impeding the availability of the sacraments and for that reason alone it should be re-examined.
I would argue that many (if not most) priests entering the seminary today would remain celibate even if the restriction were lifted.
Heroic priests of the past were heroic because they devoted their lives fully to the service of the Church. To divide one's devotion between the Church and a wife would require a priest to serve two masters.
The word "discipline" has more than one meaning. One in the way you would discipline your child for disobeying (punishment to correct or train), another is practice to produce specific character.
The discipline of celibacy in the priesthood is to form a specific character of full devotion to the religious life, something not fully achieved through married priests.
The argument regarding the Easter Rite Catholic Churches (ERCC) is an inaccurate comparison. The priesthood in the ERCC has a history and culture of married priests. To introduce marriage to the priesthood in the Roman Rite would not have the same result as the ERCC has from centuries of the practice.
"To divide one's devotion between the Church and a wife would require a priest to serve two masters."
Quite the metaphor.........
A priest who is married is no more conflicted than a priest who is president of a university or a priest who is also a medical doctor. The prejudice against married Eastern rite priests from Latin rite Catholics is an historical fact, but it is not proof of some alleged lack of fullness. It's just proof of close-mindedness.
Married priests are already here and more will be coming. Get used to it.
Seems B. XVI has already weighted in on this one in favor of celibacy. Also, Protestant clergy number are declining as well. I would, I could be wrong here, suggest that the issue is a selfish society, and relaxing the discipline of celibacy will not encourage personal sacrifice.
"Seems B. XVI has already weighted in on this one in favor of celibacy." - helgothjb
Just his opinion. It's not doctrine or dogma. The next pope might think differently and modify or rescind the discipline.
Hate to be a spoil sport here but as a former Protestant, I am forced to give you all some news. There is a shortage of individuals, male and female, married or no, going into Protestant seminaries. There is a shortage of clergy everywhere in Protestantism. The Episcopalian denomination is a case in point - it's one of the main, unacknowledged reasons they opted for female clergy. You should realize that a married clergy in the Roman Catholic Church will not reverse the decline - just look at the main line Protestants. The thing that brings young men into the priesthood is good, orthodox examples in bishops and serving priests, not gimmicks or giving in to the culture of death.
Why doesn't anyone ever ask the priests whether they are happy being celibate? Celibacy can scarcely be understood from the "outside," especially by all of the expert "sociologists" in our midst....
I find it ironic that the same diocese with priest shortage are the same ones resisting conservative TLM priests and even foreign-born priests.
Cardinal Egan should have been taking examples from other diocese with booming vocations. Instead, he is blaming celibacy? I'm not sorry to see him go.
A priest should also see that local church as his spouse. Part of his role as priest is to be another Christ to the people and the Church is the bride of Christ. But if he is also married, then what does he do about split loyalties? As a former fundamentalist preacher I can tell you that it can be a heart breaking choice to step away from a ministry you love because of the needs of your family. Even good, godly women need a lot of your time and attention. The burn out rate for ministers is very high.
I would also point out that evangelical and fundamentalist ministers and not really "allowed" to be single. Single ministers are viewed with much suspicion and are treated as pretty much abnormal. Single ministers are usually only used in youth ministry and then only for a few years tops. They are expected to find a wife and set a good example. That is a lot of pressure to put on a marriage. I felt a lot of pressure to get married and I ended up making a very poor choice in a spouse. She cheated on me and left me almost completely broke. I look back on it now as a converted Catholic and think how liberating it would have been to not be expected to get married. Oh to have been raised Catholic.
Finally, Catholic priests live on much less than a protestant minister. Less than half in most cases. Supporting a family costs money and you also have to choose and balance how much you will make them do without. A single priest can choose to live a very spartan existence without feeling the guild of forcing a family to suffer with you in your ministry. Married priests would be a huge financial drain on diocese and smaller parishes might never be able to afford a priest again.
Simply put, I think lifting the requirement for celibacy would not simply lift a restriction but would allow a host of other forces and expectations to come into play. Allowing married priests through out the Latin rite I think would be a disaster.
THE WE ARE CHURCH LOST THE FAITH FOLKS LOVE THIS TYPE OF TALK.
THIS AND WOMEN PRIEST ARE PART OF THERE NON- CATHOLIC PLAN.
As a member of the NY Archdiocese I am well aware of Cardinal Egan's proclivities in matters of adherence to church teaching, customs, and dare I say it - the magisterium. I am not surprised that he would undermine Rome and the Holy See with such commentaries!
But that's OK, he's out of here soon enough (April) and a very orthodox bishop is taking the reins.
Thank God!
It seems the people who have the most trouble with celibacy are the ones who choose not to be celibate as opposed to those who are called to be priests.
To those who say "if it weren't for the celibacy thing, I'd be a priest," I would say that it is possible God is not calling you at this time.
Marriage is a tremendous undertaking that in itself demands a total self-giving; this is even without the blessing of children which increases responsibilities along with joys ten-fold.
There is a multitude of graces that come with priestly celibacy.... He calls us to leave everything and come follow him.
In my opinion it makes sense to lift the "obligation" of celibacy in favor of an "option" of celibacy. I believe that many priests may, in full manifestation of their vocation, choose to lead a celibate lifestyle. But, there are some that I believe are called to both a priestly mission along with a married vocation. I see nothing that requires an all or nothing approach. Congregations are crying for effective spiritual and pastoral leadership, and, ther are many capable, dedicated individuals that, given the opportunity could provide such leadership even while maintaining a marital relationship as well.
The Question is really not about celibacy, but fidelity to Christ and His One Holy Catholic Church. Eastern Rite CATHOLICS have had Married priests for centuries. The western Roman Church had married Deacons, Priests, Bishops, and Popes. We will probably see continuing Anglican Churhes such as The Traditional Anglican Communion get Uniate Status in Communion with the Bishop Of Rome which means we will have Married Priests as well as Married Bishops. Remember Sacred Scripture says "The Bishop shall be the husband of one wife". The Western Church (Roman Rite) Has Married Permanate Deacons. Theologically speaking The Sacrament of Holy Orders has 3 grades of the Order always understood by the Universal Church both East and West. So when one offfice or grade of the Sacrament is changed the other two grades or office is changed or can be changed. Remember Saint Peter was Married and He was the First Bishop Of Rome.
"Why doesn't anyone ever ask the priests whether they are happy being celibate? Celibacy can scarcely be understood from the "outside," especially by all of the expert "sociologists" in our midst...."
I have. I have several priests who are friends of mine, and all of them, to a man, say that celibacy is a blessing. In fact, as someone said above - the priests entering the seminary are, predominantly, happy with the idea. I also know two priests who converted from Anglicanism who are married, who, while they do love their wives, say that celibacy would make their job easier.
So - go ahead and ask the young priests. They're the one's who matter because they are the future. You'll find they prefer celibacy.
Recent surveys of catholic priests indicate that well over 50% of catholic dioceason priests would like the option to marry. 163 priests in Milwaukee alone sent letters to the Bishop wanting discussions on celebacy. More then 70% of the catholic laity also agree with ,making celebacy optional and a large number of catholics believe women should come out of the dark ages and be allowed to become priests. Most catholics don't follow the churches teachings on birth control, and a large number of catholics are pro choice. Its obvious the catholic church is out of touch with its 67,100,000 parishioners (down 400,000 members) from 2007.
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