Lavoisier Fernandes –
Lately on social media (via WhatsApp group chats) and on the digital format as well, a ‘Times of India’ blog article written by Dr. Edmond Fernandes titled “Celibacy is a historical ill which the Catholic Church must immediately withdraw” has been doing the rounds.
The writer has made some abstract sweeping generalisation of the discipline of celibacy for priesthood within the Catholic Church (link above to read). The arguments made by the writer are nothing uncommon (i.e. like the surnames we share -pun intended!) and no different to what one finds in secular media outlets, that looks at the Catholic Church from the prisms of an institute that is in dire need of change, an empire of misogyny, booming in priestly scandals, declining in church numbers and the other chatter that one hears, which clearly lack credibility both biblically and historically.
The Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world and the biggest charitable institution with Caritas and its allies, it has 1.36 billon believers, operates tens of thousands of Catholic schools, universities and colleges, hospitals, and orphanages around the world. Flash back into history and one will see that the church has conceived values like justice, fairness, dignity, truth, and outreach which society strives to live up to. Without a shadow of a doubt the Church has made slip-ups and failed along the way. And yes, the church needs continuous reform and if one looks at its 2000 years history- it has happened and continues to happen; however, it has not been at the whims and fancies of the world.
So, let’s go back and debunk some of these misconceptions and arguments on Celibacy.
- Argument that celibacy is a historical ill which the Catholic Church must immediately withdraw:
Usually in places like the media, the entire Catholic Church is commonly referred to as the Roman Catholic Church. We have the Catholic Church (no prefixes& no labels) Or, if one really wants to, we can refer to the Universal (Catholic) Church. Second, the Catholic Church is comprised of 6 different liturgical rites, and within those rites, there are 24 particular Churches. These 24 sui iuris (autonomous or self-governing) Churches are all in communion with one another, are all within the Catholic Church and all recognize the primacy of the pope. The Latin (or Roman, but we’ll continue to refer to it as “Latin” from now on) Catholic Church is the largest of these 24 Churches and is the only Western Church. The other 23 Catholic Churches are all referred to as Eastern Churches and have their own traditions and forms of liturgy, yet retain the same basic liturgical structures and theology as seen in the West.
Priestly celibacy is a discipline (as opposed to dogma intrinsic to the priesthood) in the Latin rite (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1579). In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries where celibacy is optional for the priest but mandatory for the bishops. So prior to ordination in the Eastern Church priests make a choice to stay celibate or get married, however if married a priest ceases to become a bishop or hold Apostolic office (CCC 1580). So also, it is important to note that within the Latin rite there is a special ordinariate (exception to the rule) established by the late Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 which allows Anglican married priests to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. For starters the Catholic Church has to withdraw nothing. Celibacy is an obligatory discipline in the Latin rite and optional in the Eastern Church sharing in a rich patrimony of the Universal Catholic Church.
- Argument that celibacy is not biblical and St. Peter (first Pope) and all the Pope’s prior to 1123 and 1139 were married:
Whilst it is true that St. Peter was married it is also true that St. Paul and Jesus were not. There is mention in the scriptures of St. Peter’s mother- in- law (Luke 4:38-40) and never of his wife. St. Peter, by the way, was a widower, as far as anyone knows. We know from the following passage, which specifically references at least some of the apostles having “left” a living wife for the sake of ministry: In Luke 18:28-30 (RSV) And Peter said, “Lo, we have left our homes and followed you.” [29] And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, [30] who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Indeed, everyone is unique, and the disciples had a right to marry (1 Cor 9:5), but they renounced that right in order to be Jesus’ disciples. St. Paul also had this right to get married, but he renounced it for the Gospel. St. Paul says that men should “lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him” (1 Cor7:17). Latin Rite Catholicism chooses its priests from the group of men who are called by God to celibacy (1 Cor 7:32-35). He describes marriage as doing “well” (7:38) and celibacy as “better” (7:38). Latin Rite Catholicism prefers the Pauline “better” state for its priests. So, the celibacy requirement is applied to those who wish to become priests in the Latin rite, i.e. who are already called to celibacy and the priesthood of God. They follow the Pauline way.
Lastly there were three popes (not all) who were married during their papacies: Pope Adrian II (r. 867-872), Pope John XVII (r. 1003), and Pope Clement IV (r, 1265-1268).
- Argument that priestly numbers are falling so the church needs to be Modern:
The Catholic population is growing which suggests a need for more priests, even in some of the most vibrant parts of the world. It is important to note that Catholicism added 16 million new members in 2020 sitting at 1.36 billon today. According to the source (annuaruim Statisticum Ecclesiae) the number of priests around the world is holding steady with a huge rise in Asia (553 average ordinations in 2010), Africa (400 average ordinations in 2019) and South America (Brazil alone-650 ordinations in 2014). While ordinations to the diocesan priesthood are on the rise in some parts of the world, they are also falling fast in some traditionally Catholic countries especially Europe and the US. It is also true that the number of retried diocesan priests and those passed away have increased. If celibacy was the cause, why have numbers not increased for other Christian denominations like the Anglican Church of England which has embraced all of modernity from married priests to women priests. To the argument that the church needs to be modern, well it is already modern. Celibacy is a discipline in the Latin rite and optional in the Eastern Churches. How much more modern can it get; sure it needs reform but not in celibacy.
- Argument that there is a beautiful life without celibacy, and it is forced:
Sure, there is a beautiful life without celibacy but who says there is not a beautiful life with celibacy. Yes, a single man does not understand all the things involved in marriage (via empathy), but that is only one thing. And why are we overestimating the notion of having to personally experience everything in order to understand it. This fallacious argument is used by pro-abortion supporters “you are not a woman! You cannot possibly understand or talk about abortion!” It’s not true.
It is not forcing anyone to do anything, this is why we encourage those discerning a call to take many years. In the Latin rite there is an average of 7-8 years of seminary formation with the option to leave- not with a gun next to their neck to stay (to suggest priests are forced into celibacy). The army or navy chooses from those who are not flat footed or above 157 cms, that’s the rule to join. Celibacy is a discipline in the Latin rite -it’s simply a standard and rule.
In conclusion the beauty of celibacy and priesthood is reflected in this beautiful reflection (author unknown)
“To live in the midst of the world without desiring its pleasures… to be a member of every family, yet belong to none… To share all sufferings, to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds… To go from men to God to offer their petitions, to return from God to men and offer them His hope…to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity…to bless and be blest forever…this life is yours, oh priest of God.”
Originally from Goa, Lavoisier Fernandes is based in England.