Michael Kelly
“When someone objects to mandatory celibacy, it is because they imagine it to be a lonely life”, writes Editor, Michael Kelly
The Pope’s right-hand man Cardinal Pietro Parolin this week cautioned against knee-jerk reactionary responses to problems facing the Church.
Addressing a conference on the issue of priestly celibacy in Rome, the Vatican Secretary of State underlined the fact that mandatory celibacy is a disciplinary issue rather than a doctrinal one (that is to say, it can be changed).
However, the cardinal warned against changes that may appear to be quick-fix solutions to current problems, but, in reality, are really just reactionary attempts to cover-up the fact that one really doesn’t want to embark on a journey of change that is difficult and potentially painful.
It reminds me of a now infamous scene from the animated sitcom The Simpsons where hippy parents unable and unwilling to discipline their child admit to a therapist in exasperation “we’ve tried nothing and we’re out of ideas”.
“If the problematic [situation of a so-called ‘vocations crisis’] does not appear irrelevant,” Cardinal Parolin told an audience at Rome’s Gregorian University, “it is nevertheless necessary not to take rushed decisions, or decisions based solely on the basis of present need.”
Mandatory
Cardinal Parolin, like many other Church leaders, has expressed the view that it is healthy to discuss whether or not mandatory celibacy should remain in force for priests in the Church in the West. After all, priests in the eastern rite Catholic churches are not bound by mandatory celibacy. Likewise, married former Anglican ministers, who have converted to Catholicism and been ordained priests, are not obliged to be celibate and, therefore, live with their wives and families while serving as Catholic priests.
The role and efficacy of celibacy in the Church is something that needs a lot of discussion. Perhaps we’ve been slow to put it in context. Very few people understand where the Church is coming from on the issue. That’s why when one hears the oft-repeated phrase “priests should be allowed to get married” it is often said because people feel sympathetic that priests cannot get married. When someone objects to mandatory celibacy, it is because they imagine it to be a lonely life, or more correctly they try to put themselves in the shoes of the celibate and imagine they would be lonely in that position.
And, of course, it’s true that celibacy can often be a lonely life. But, lived well, it’s also an immensely enriching and rewarding life, as well as a challenging one.
I’m not suggesting that priests and other consecrated persons who are celibate “for the sake of the kingdom” need to go around telling everyone that they’re an “eschatological sign”, but priests and religious should not be afraid to speak up for their celibate choice.
Whether the Church ever decides that celibacy should become optional for priests, it ought be a decision based on profound reflection and sound reasons rather than a hasty and unthinking attempt to appear to be seen to be doing something, anything.