The Bayfield Post, 1982-06-11, Page 2Page 2
FROM THE Pastor's Desk
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Pope John Paul just paid an historic visit
to England. John Paul stated that one of his
main purposes in visiting England was to
promote unity between the Anglican and Roman
Catholic Churches. To this end he and the
Archbishop of Canterbury took part in an
ecumenical service as a visible sign of
their mutual desire for Christian unity.
What puzzles a lot of people is a Pope who
professes to want unity with a Christian
Church which has a married clergy,the
Anglican, while at the same time forbidding
marriage to his own clergy and getting rid
of those who desire it.
For this reason we are reprinting an
article that was written in 1972 by
Rev. R. Patrick, a Catholic Priest. In
the light of Pope John Paul's visit to
England it seems particularly relevant.
THE PRIESTHOOD AND FREEDOM TO MARRY
"I suggest it's about time some Catholics started to
think about this question and stopped feeling about it.
When one examines the issue it is hard to see what the
hang-up is all about.
"The most important thing to remember is that Christ
could not care less whether a priest is married or not.
Why are we getting so excited about it?
"The Apostles, with one or two exceptions, were
married men. The majority of bishops and priests in the
early Church were married, and for centuries marriage
was optional for those entering the priesthood.
"In fact in the Eastern Rites of the Church, there has
always existed through the entire history of the Church up
to the present time, a legitimately married Catholic
priesthood.
"There is simply no valid theological or traditional
argument that one can come up with, that would make
the priesthood and marriage morally, socially, or in any
other way, incompatible.
"This is why it was unfortunate and even sad to see
Pope Paul come out on Holy Thursday and describe
priests who had left the active ministry for various
reasons, the main reason being marriage and the
humanizing conditions that marriage can bring, as
comparable to Judas, the traitor, the betrayer of Christ.
"To be a traitor or a 'Judas' one must go against the
will of Christ. Christ instituted the priesthood and He
left His priests free to live normal human lives, free to
marry or not. How then is a priest who wants to get
married going against the will of Christ?
"Celibacy, like marriage, can also be beautiful, but
only if it is wanted, freely chosen, freely embraced (if
you'll pardon the expression).
"In the past and up to the present time celibacy comes
as part of a package deal. If a young man wants the
priesthood, celibacy is one of the conditions. He is told
that celibacy is the proof that God wants of his total
dedication. When all the time it is not God who demands
such unnatural proof of dedication but the human element
in the Church.
"It was a bit hysterical of the Pontiff to label priests
who have married, even with the permission of the
Church, as having succumbed to vile earthly reasons."
A rather strange way for a representative of Christ to
speak of marriage. We can all feel a bit fortunate that our
parents succumbed to these "vile earthly reasons" or I
wouldn't be writing this and you wouldn't be reading it.
"Apparently the Synod in Rome this year is to discuss
the matter of ordaining men who have already been
married. Apparently it is a question of timing. As long
as a man gives in to "vile earthly reasons" before he is
ordained he is a fit candidate, but once ordained to
submit to "vile earthly reasons" makes him unfit.
"Married priests of course will lead to married
bishops, and this will mean a new breed and kind of
leadership in the Church.
"Women have and are complaining about their lack of
influence and their retarded role in the life of the
Church. There are those who with good reason say that
as long as women have no natural relationship, such as
marriage affords, with the leaders of the Church, their
role will remain unnatural and without any real impact.
"What is this strange hang-up that many leaders in
the Church have regarding the priesthood and optional
marriage? Time will tell."
/ alt AMU. 4111411/11111111IN 4P6
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