Celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church
The Practice of Celibacy Produces Sexual Predators in the Roman Catholic Church, and therefore should be changed.
The act of Clerical Celibacy is not a church indoctrinated order, rather it is a discipline and therefore can and should be changed. The act of sexual abuse amongst priests has risen in recent decades and many believe this is due to celibacy in the Catholic Church. Celibacy is the act of abstaining from sexual intercourse, especially for reasons of religious vows.(“Celibacy” def. 1)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “ All ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate “ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “ the affairs of the Lord”, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy represents this new life to the service as a Church’s minister and thus, being consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.” (Catholic Church 2280) Celibacy is much-debated topic in the Catholic Culture today. This is due to rising reports of sexual abuse by priests on parishioners’, who have mostly been reported as being children under their spiritual care. These reports that have recently come to light in the media stem as far back as 1940’s. However, in the past sexual abuse was covered up by not only these predator priests but as high as Bishop’s and some speculate even the Pope had knowledge of these acts. Although, celibacy has been in practice in the Roman Catholic Church for centuries it seems that is becoming more of a burden and curse on the priests in which it was intended to glorify. Celibacy has been considered as a marriage between the Priest and the Church. It is believed that priest’s who are celibate are able to devote more time to ministering. The problem with
The act of Clerical Celibacy is not a church indoctrinated order, rather it is a discipline and therefore can and should be changed. The act of sexual abuse amongst priests has risen in recent decades and many believe this is due to celibacy in the Catholic Church. Celibacy is the act of abstaining from sexual intercourse, especially for reasons of religious vows.(“Celibacy” def. 1)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “ All ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate “ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “ the affairs of the Lord”, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy represents this new life to the service as a Church’s minister and thus, being consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.” (Catholic Church 2280) Celibacy is much-debated topic in the Catholic Culture today. This is due to rising reports of sexual abuse by priests on parishioners’, who have mostly been reported as being children under their spiritual care. These reports that have recently come to light in the media stem as far back as 1940’s. However, in the past sexual abuse was covered up by not only these predator priests but as high as Bishop’s and some speculate even the Pope had knowledge of these acts. Although, celibacy has been in practice in the Roman Catholic Church for centuries it seems that is becoming more of a burden and curse on the priests in which it was intended to glorify. Celibacy has been considered as a marriage between the Priest and the Church. It is believed that priest’s who are celibate are able to devote more time to ministering. The problem with