Celibacy in Religious Life And Priesthood
Date
1999-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The topic of celibacy seems to enter into any discussion of the priesthood today. It also
seems to appear whenever the subject of priesthood is potrayed or discussed in the media.
Much of the discussion focuses on die question of "obligatory" versus "optional" celibacy,
institutional requirement or personal choice.
I hope to move beyond that discussion. I seek to look at the meaning of celibacy as an
integral dimension of priestly life and virtue. I see celibacy as a life choice for the priest
In order to make a mature life choice for celibacy, the case for celibacy needs to be made.
The first chapter will first take a look at the current situation surrounding celibacy. This
will help clarir the background of assumptions, questions and arguments that are typical of
a critique of priestly celibacy. In the second chapter, I would like to review the historical
development of mandatory clerical celibacy. The third chapter will look briefly at the
topic of human sexuality, in a specifically Christian context. This will be the ground from
which my discussion of celibacy will arise. The fourth chapter will look at some of the
deeper religious and theological rationale for clerical celibacy.
Finally, in the filth chapter, I would like to reflect on a couple of other areas in the realm of
celibacy. Celibacy in Religious Life and Priesthood
Before we go any further, I think that it is important to clarif, my working definition of
celibacy. Celibacy does not mean simply "living alone" since many celibates live in
community nor does celibacy simply mean being "unmarried". Celibacy is also not the
same as being single. The celibate is not a bachelor. In the parlance of Roman Catholic
theology, a single person is an unmarried person who is open to marriage. The celibate is
unmarried and intends to remain tnimarried.1
For this paper, celibacy means "consecrated celibacy". The consecrated celibate is not
only unmarried, but endeavours to forego all direct and willful indulgence in the pleasure
of genital sex - whether alone or with others. This is what it means to remain absolutely
chaste. Celibacy in and of itself is merely an ascetical practice, an exercise in self -
discipline. But celibacy is made "consecrated" by the nature and motive of one's
commitment to it. This commitment is usually expressed in a vow or promise to God.
Religious priests, like Benedictines and Franciscans, commit themselves to celibacy by a
vow - a direct promise to God. Diocesan priests commit themselves by way of an oath - a
promise made to the local ordinary or his delegate while asking God to witness this
promise. The motive of the religious and diocesan priest is the same: for the sake of their
witness to the kingdom of God. This motive will be explored in chapter four.2
Description
Keywords
Celibacy, Priesthood, Religious Life, Clerical Celibacy