The 18th century English poet Samuel Johnson once said that marriage has many pains but celibacy has no pleasures. When someone decides to become a Catholic priest one makes a vow which is among the toughest known to man.
Like marriage, the priesthood has many pains. It requires discipline, dedication and a superhuman amount of self-control. In fact, there have been individuals who have embarked upon the road and have fallen by the wayside, unable or unwilling to make the great sacrifices required of them. One accusation that cannot be hurled at the Church is that is does not let its seminarians know what they are in for. The process is long and hard.
Like wedlock, the priesthood is capable of being fulfilling to the individual. It is true such gratification takes more of a spiritual than a physical form. But priests can also be an integral part of the community, trying to resolve problems, helping the sick and the weak and, at times, applying a focal point that is still capable of binding people together - whether it is here or in the missions abroad. This is a level of satisfaction that cannot be quantified.
There are many arguments that have been made for and against the requirement for priests to be celibate. Its biggest supporters argue that it is the only way in which they can apply themselves fully to God and their community. They say that any other situation would mean that either the marriage or the community suffers.
On the other hand, its opponents say that the Church is trying to deprive a man of one of his most basic requirements and that a human being could be an even better priest if he is fulfilled in every sense.
When last week The Times reported that a survey carried out with the approval of the Gozo Curia showed that nine per cent of Gozitan priests are not observing the Canon law provision on celibacy and 17 per cent say they do not agree with it, there is a big temptation to be shocked.
But one must scratch the surface a little to try and analyse what this really means. The dictionary definition of celibacy is to "abstain from sexual relations". But the Church goes further, since it requires them to observe "perfect and perpetual continence". In plain language, that means they are breaching the code if they entertain thoughts or desires or even associate with people who are capable of giving rise to scandal.
Gozo Bishop Nikol Cauchi said himself that "celibacy requires a strong spirit of sacrifice and no one pretends that it is easy". Given the Church's definition, this is almost an understatement. It is very easy to expect extreme high standards of others but, at the end of the day, everyone has blood running through one's veins. Priests are no different and they deserve as much praise for being so honest in this survey as the diocese does for allowing it to take place. It shows priests are only human!
But this does not mean questions cannot be asked. The survey shows that what is needed, clearly, is a debate by the Church on this subject, which could also take account of laymen's views. However, before that can happen, the Maltese diocese ought to invite the author of the Gozo survey to carry out a similar exercise among its clerics.
This is the right way for the Church to move forward.