In Theory

The Catholic Church does have married priests. Our Eastern-rite churches have always allowed married men to become priests. Our Latin church requires celibacy but dispenses from this when married ordained Protestant ministers and Episcopalian priests are accepted into our priesthood.

Celibacy is not essential to the Catholic priesthood; but it is a long-established spirituality that supports the sacredness of marriage and human sexuality. Priests who are whole, happy and pastorally zealous can be a challenging sign in the community that even a beautiful family is not the ultimate value. In turn, married couples are signs to us priests that we must not be selfish bachelors but rather people lovingly and sacrificially committed to serving the larger community. Together we seek the Kingdom of God above all.

However, the life of committed celibacy does not fit with every Catholic who experiences a calling to the priesthood and whom the community validates in that calling. They are excluded, and this is a loss. Moreover, we mourn the departure of many fine priests who have left the ministry only because they discovered that they could not freely and joyfully live a celibate life.

Optional celibacy provokes heated discussions at all levels within the Church, exchanges that are largely fragmentary and thus of little profit. With many others I believe it is time for Church leadership to place the question in the public square as a wisdom opportunity for seeking the best understanding of the present reality and wise counsel toward the future.

Msgr. Wilbur Davis

Our Lady Queen of Angels Church

Newport Beach

There is only one authoritative infallible guide for a true church: the Bible, God’s Holy Word. God has promised to inspire and preserve His Word, not the traditions or statements of men.

II Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Any church that ignores the Word of God and substitutes tradition in its place will eventually end up in trouble. I am afraid that is where the Catholic Church finds itself in the matter of the celibacy of the priesthood. The Bible has always been clear that not only is it all right for a pastor to marry, but it is actually a requirement for one who desires the office of pastor.

I Timothy 3:2: “A Bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife...”

To deliberately ignore what God has clearly stated on a subject so important cannot possibly produce any good. The Catholic Church has been scandalized by sexual sins in recent years, and although no denomination is immune to such things, surely the unscriptural requirement of celibacy has added fuel to the fire.

Pastor Dwight Tomlinson

Liberty Baptist Church

Newport Beach

Wow, what a religious and political hot potato. I can see both sides and understand both arguments. It’s obvious that many priests want at least the opportunity to talk about it, but the pope and the church hierarchy will not allow it, and for good reason. Any debate would be overpowered by the circumstantial argument of the day, “There are not enough priests to do the job.” It will ultimately become a voluntary choice and there will be married priests. But it won’t be easy. I pray their needs are met peacefully and with wisdom.

Pastor Jim Turrell