On August 8, in my regular column in The Sunday Times I wrote an article titled: A scandal called celibacy. I received a number of reactions, three of which were particularly interesting. They present an alternative position to the one I took. I thought that it would be interesting to publish extracts from them as a means of keeping the debate going.

However first I would like to summarise my position as expressed in The Sunday Times. I did not use the word scandal as a referent to a disgraceful action that damages the reputation of whoever does it or of an institution whose members commit shameful actions. I used "scandal" to refer to an action that radically challenges the dominant cultural mentality and becomes a sign of contradiction and negative admiration for the same culture. Christ was such a sign of contradiction and therefore a scandal.

I referred to the answer Pope Benedict gave to questions by a Slovakian priest regarding celibacy. Priestly celibacy is a way for the priest to become more united with Christ and his mission, in an anticipation of "the world of the resurrection." Benedict said that through celibacy the priest is pulled forward toward "the new and true life" of the future. "Celibacy, as the criticisms themselves show, is a great sign of faith, of the presence of God in the world." The commitment for celibacy is therefore a public manifestation in the belief in the future world. It is in a certain sense the actualisation in time of our way of being in the Father's bosom for eternity.

A reaction by a married priest

James E. Lovejoy, an 82 year old, married for the last 40 years "to a wonderful, caring woman and we have three great grown children and 6 grandchildren." He had ministered as a priest for fifteen years before getting married.

"What do you really know about marriage, Fr. Joe Borg?" he asked, definitively not amused by what I had written. Mr Lovejoy was not reacting to celibacy per se but to the law of celibacy binding Catholic priests of the Latin rite.

Basing himself on his experience he barraged me with a number of questions:

"Have you ever thought what a commitment to another person, wholly and unselfishly really means? Have you ever held a baby that was conceived in love and who depends on you and your spouse for everything at this tender moment in her or his life.?

Do you have any idea of what goes on in a marriage, besides sex? How can you really advise couples on what to expect in marriage, beyond what you have read."

He continued:

"I was a priest during the most terrible period in the Church's modern history. It was during the 1950's, 60's and 70's that some of the most despicable sexual acts were committed against children by "celibate" priests. Most of us at the time were unaware of this shameful tragedy because our so-called leaders protected these abusive priests. Was this a result of priestly celibacy? For those who really wished to be celibate and lived up to their vows or promises, probably not. However, don't tell me that the requirement for most men who wanted to be priests but had to accept mandatory life-time celibacy as a condition, it was not a monstrous demand by a hierarchy in Rome that were, and still are, determined to keep absolute control over the clergy regardless of the cost."

The views of Fran Salone-Pelletier

The lady wrote that "mandatory celibacy in the priesthood has given me no proof of that kind of scandal (as I explained in my commentary). Instead, I have seen the mandate used as an excuse for other "wives". I have witnessed the espousal of many priests to good food, lavish entertainment, expensive and frequent vacations, and unwillingness to minister when called upon at odd hours, shortened "work weeks" and more. In other words, they have sought reward, recompense, for their "gift".

Fran Salone-Pelletier than compared this to the way of life of married priests:

"By contrast, I have seen married priests pick up the slack for their celibate brothers. They have risen from their beds in the early morning hours to respond to chaplaincy calls when the celibates have refused to answer their phones. They have celebrated funerals on days when their celibate brothers have utilized a local "canon" that supposedly prohibited a funeral. They have ministered to people whose affiliation with the institutional church was loose, wavering, or non-existent because of past hurts."

She suggested that the mandate be removed so that the priesthood would be open to "all whom God is calling and has called to serve in this unique ministry. It would ... open the doors to both married and unmarried men and women whose hearts are already priestly, whose minds are already fixed on divinity, and whose lives are already witnessing God's presence in the world, God's universal call to salvation."

A local reaction

Anyone who follows this blog is familiar with Jessica deBattista. Her comments were more about celibacy per se than the mandatory celibacy of priests.

"To live a celibate life is no hardship unless one's heart is involved. One can drift naturally into a celibate way of life even in marriage if it so happens that the sex drive between the partners is dead. Unfortunately, however, our human nature is not content with an uncomplicated existence. It craves the closeness of another human being and it often happens that one gets strong feelings for somebody else.

That is the tragedy of the situation! One can fight against the attraction and pray to be free from it, and there might be times when one thinks that the prayers are answered for the urge is somehow diminished. But it only takes a cursory glance from the other person to rekindle the fire."

Conclusion

I leave the extracts without any comments. I would like, though, to add a final word.

It is difficult to live celibacy in the fullness of its meaning, as it is difficult to live, for example, the virtues of humility, charity, obedience, compassion and justice. The prayers and support of the Christian community especially in moments of difficulty and, more so, in moments of failure, should be another sign that the Church is not just a human organisation but the family of the children of God striving today towards the fullness of life that we will eventually live tomorrow.