Celibacy focuses a priest's heart on service
May 29, 2006
The traditional Christian teaching that sexual intercourse is only legitimate in marriage is now counter-cultural.
(Sunday Telegraph, May 14, 2006) Christians do not believe that everyone has a right to sexual activity so that a celibate person is one who is both unmarried and sexually inactive.
Celibacy is not unnatural, because humans, unlike animals, can control their sexual instincts, while Christians believe that sexual activity is good, when it is linked to love and open to the possibility of children.
When sex becomes a commodity, sexual partners become objects, something to be used for pleasure.
Priestly celibacy has to be seen within the context of Christian faith, because while there is a clear dimension of sacrifice and self-control, celibacy is also seen as sacred, a very personal offering to Christ, not simply a renunciation to be borne stoically. Celibacy clearly states that not only sex but even family love are not all-important. It spells out part of the meaning of Christ's teaching that the first and greatest commandment is to love God, while the second is that we love one another.
The immense Catholic network of services in Australia was built primarily through the work of unmarried priests, sisters and brothers, because celibacy releases immense energy and time for the service of people.
Marriage and family life are the basis of all civilisation, but they can fluctuate between heaven and hell and always take hard work, time and energy.
Christ is the most important model for all Christians and, for a Catholic priest, who is defined as "another Christ", it is important that Christ was unmarried, as were Paul, the great missionary, and John, the youngest of the apostles.
On the other hand, Peter, the head of the apostles, was certainly married, asJesus cured his mother-in-law from sickness!
Like Christ, a priest is called to a spiritual paternity to nurture Christians through the sacraments and prayer and generate new children through baptism. Through celibacy, his heart should be undivided, less distracted and more focused for service.
The sacrifice of celibacy is still the best sign to people generally that a man is not a priest out of self-interest, while it also remains a potent witness to the reality of life after death where Christ has explained there will be no sexual intercourse.
Catholic priests generally are very effective servants of their people, called on by day and by night, and they are respected and loved by their people for this.
A missionary priest said he had travelled widely and never been among strangers, only brothers and sisters. A celibate priest's life should be full of friendships, supported by brother priests.
But it is not for everyone. Psychological testing now supplements the long years of preparation for those who aspire to be celibate priests.
Celibacy focuses a priest's heart on service