Monday 26 January 2015

Celibacy of Priests


To Love A Priest 
Victor S E Moubarak
ISBN-10: 1505908558 
ISBN-13: 978-1505908558
Forgive me dear readers for returning to the subject matter of my latest book "To Love A Priest". As the title suggests, it deals with the question of celibacy of Catholic priests.

It has long been a ruling in the Catholic Church that priests should not marry and must remain chaste throughout their lives. This is a vow men make before they are ordained to the priesthood.

In the small town where I live I have known three Catholic priests, good priests at that, who had to leave the Church to get married and have a family. I also know another priest elsewhere who did the same. I am sure you've known of priests or nuns leaving the vocation for new life outside the Church.

I've often wondered how serious a sin, if sin it be, was committed by these individuals. They decided at some stage in their lives that they could no longer follow their vocation and keep to their vows. Is this sin, I repeat, if sin it be, unforgiveable and they are doomed for eternity? Is it a sin that can be "confessed" and forgiven albeit they remain married outside the Church?

How different is the breaking of a vow of celibacy to divorce and breaking the vow of marriage? Are the many divorced Catholics doomed for eternity, whether they re-marry outside the Church or not?

In the small town in which I live I know of one married Catholic priest with a grown-up family. He is a good priest. He was an Anglican priest but left that Church to join the Catholic Church.

How does the Church and our Bishop view him compared to a celibate priest? More important, how does God view both priests? Does He love them both for doing a good job in His service?

Jesus never asked His followers to be celibate. He chose Peter, who was married, as His first priest in His Church.

Is the Catholic Church missing out on good men by insisting they remain celibate?

My book, whether you read it or not, covers all these points in, I hope, a delicate and compassionate manner. It is a "good read" - or so I am told.

I would, however, welcome your views on this subject in the comments box below.

23 comments:

  1. I am about 60% on your book, Victor. All your questions noted above have gone through my thoughts. As a Protestant, I do not feel we are commanded to a life of celibacy in order to be a priest. YES--the question is--How Many Men of God are denied the joy of being used for His Good Purpose--because of their martial status? By the way--GOOD JOB on the book!

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    1. Thank you Lulu for your kind words about my book. It almost wrote itself as I was typing so fast; however, I had to be careful on how to handle this sensitive subject.

      Like you, I think we may well be missing out on some good people serving the Lord because of their marital status.

      I'd certainly like to hear what you think of the book when you've finished it - but please don't reveal the plot or the denouement. (Hey - I can use French words too. I also often quote myself in conversations to add inrerest and flair !!!).

      God bless you Lulu; and thanx once again.

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  2. "Is the Catholic Church missing out on good men by insisting they remain celibate?"

    It certainly looks and sounds like our Catholic Church is in big trouble as to what "Jesus Christ" actually said and/or allowed? In the past, I've heard it said that "Jesus" was heard saying that He did not agree with Divorces and was also heard saying that the reason Moses allowed it was because people were too stubborn.

    Nowadays, our Catholic church seems to be revitalizing and I dare say that if Catholics don't agree with the changes, there will be H--L to pay and personally speaking, "I" don't think that The Evil Trinity of The Devil, Satan and Lucifer can afford to wait for humans to decide not to "LIVE" back "Word".

    WHAT NEXT!

    FATHER VICTOR?

    I'm washing my hand of the hole affair!...lol

    God Bless

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    1. I think you are right in that the Catholic Church does not always make its position CRYSTAL clear on its many dogmas and rulings.

      God bless you always.

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    2. Thank You Victor for your kind reply and believe it or not I still have not received your last book titled "To Love a Priest" that I purchased and I'm sure that it will eventually find it's way home like your other books that I purchased for my wife did... Long story short, I will need to read this one first and like you said to Manny, If I don't like the book then it will be kept as a secret between us.

      These days, my paranoia seems to be getting a lot worst and I'm glad that I don't have the talent that you have in writing books because I would be tempted to tell the whole world about "IT" (fictionally that is) ... for example, every time I now go to write in blogs, it seems like I have to literally tell the server who I am and/or what account I want to use but I'm learning to save and paste before they take it all away every time I sign up again... Longer story shorter, the problem is probably just this new Gay Windows 8 that doesn't agree with me... I heard through the Grape Vines, (no, not Don Cherry) that Microsoft will be coming out with Windows 10 by ignoring Windows 9 in order to solve all the hardship of Windows 8 and that's the truth, "I" Think?...lol

      Victor I'll close by saying that GOD must be working within you because the last time I prayed using one of your praying sites, I literally felt the joy of my spirit within me moving.

      God Bless

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    3. I really hope you enjoy my latest book. You can also download other FREE books from my website www.holyvisions.uk

      I am praying for you always, as well as for all others who comment here.

      God bless you and your family.

      Delete
  3. I can't say i know any priests or nuns who have left the vocation to get married. Actually i don't know any priests who have left the vocation.

    You raise some great questions. I have been neutral on the idea of whether priests should be allowed to get married. I am not a priest and I don't think I should have a say. It's up to the clergy. If they do change it, however, it will radically change the nature of the laity to the clergy.

    Is it a sin to leave the clergy? I don't know, but my gut tells me it's not unless there was some hanky-panky going on. Anyway, he should be free of sin with confession. I don't hold it against priests to leave the priesthood. If their heart is elsewhere then it's probably best for all. and no, I don't think it's like a divorce. But I don't know the church law on it.

    By the way, I frequently read Fr. Lognecker's blog, a former Anglican priest who converted to Catholicism and has been allowed to stay married. This is his blog:
    http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/

    Is your book a work of fiction? I do want to read another Father Ignatius story.

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    1. Manny,

      As I said on your Blog, not only are you well read, but you are wise too. Thank you for your well considered comments above. What you say makes sense.

      Of course it is up to the clergy to decide on celibacy, and "new entrants" enter the vocation on this condition. And I agree that if, later down the line, they can no longer remain priests they could leave with not eternal sin on their conscience.

      My book is a work of fiction, just like all other Fr Ignatius books. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know your views. I rely on readers' feedback when deciding whether to keep on writing.

      (Note: If you or others like my books please tell Amazon about it. If you don't like the books then let's keep it a secret between us).

      God bless you.

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    2. P.S.

      Manny: There are plenty Father Ignatius books available to download FREE from my website also. Go to www.holyvisions.uk

      God bless.

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    3. P.S.

      Please tell Manny that I'm very familiar with Fr. Lognecker's blog and I must say that he's a great writer of fictional reality stories and on occasions when I did read them in the past I even agreed with many of his believed stories. I'll be kind and close by saying that I translate the Fr. in his name as Friend and not Father and I think I even said that in one of my older comments there but like I wrote, some of his stories can be a very enjoyable read.

      My Best to Manny

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    4. I'll check out Fr. Lognecker's Blog. Thanx for sharing your views.

      May God bless you always.

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    5. I just received your book this morning and finished reading "To Love A Priest" and then past it on to my wife.

      All I can safely say without giving "IT" away is that I'm glad that this book is only a fictional story but I'm afraid that some might want to use part of your story as Propaganda against celibate priest which I would consider nothing but Crapaganda cause long story short, two wrongs would never make "ONE" Right.

      God Bless Peace

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    6. Thank you for your comments about my book and for not revealing the plot. I much appreciate it. Although the book is fictional SOME parts of the story are based on truth.

      I hope your wife enjoys the book.

      God bless you and your wife.

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  4. I have very mixed feelings about those Roman-rite Catholic priests who leave the priesthood to get married. They knew that they would have to remain celibate. BUT if they leave with dignity and become 'lay'- then, I don't feel that badly for them. When they go and get 'ordained' as Episcopalian priests after they get married, that is something different

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    1. I understand what you are saying Priest's Wife. The thing is, love is not like a faucet which you can turn on and off at will. It just happens.

      I've known cases where men became priests at an early age (mid-20s) then, as they got older they fell in love and had to leave their vocation to get married. I know it shouldn't happen, and they should resist temptations ... but it happens, time and again.

      I'm grateful for your visit and comment here. Hope to see you again soon.

      God bless.

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  5. Hi Victor! As you know, I have read your book, and will not give away any of it's plot line.
    I have known of many priests who have left and gotten married. I also know of a nun who did the same, she is actually a good friend of mine. Do they sin? I can't even ask that question. I'm not going to throw the first stone, that's for sure.
    I know that priests and nuns realize their celibacy vows when they make them, and they are ready and willing to do that. But as you said, they are also human beings and are capable of mistakes. What seemed like a great idea at the age of 18 might not retain it's fervor in ten years.
    Well, this is only one woman's opinion. I'm sure it will be debated for years and years. We need priests, we need the sacraments. Hopefully God will call many to his priesthood (and that men will listen), or God will call the church to change their rules. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the years ahead.
    Quite a topic to tackle, my brave friend!
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you Ceil for your well reasoned approach to this issue. Like you, I have known four priests leave their vocation to get married; and in doing so we have lost four very good priests. Three of them in my small town. Also, in our town we now have a married priest with a grown-up family. He was an Anglican priest and became Catholic.

      This anomaly in our Church's rules is, I feel, counter productive. The day will come perhaps when the Catholic Church will accept married men as priests. It needs the right Pope at the right time.

      This was a difficult book to write considering the subject; albeit it almost typed itself I was working so fast. If you liked it, please tell others; otherwise let's keep it a secret between us.

      God bless you Ceil, and thanx.

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  6. As the old going goes, "I" mean the old saying, "I" hate to flog a dead horse Victor but all of US (usual sinners) "I" mean us human animals, no, no, "I" meant to say that us gods know what the problem is with these so called cells, "I" mean those celibacy of priests... the reason we know, we spoke to some of those seven per sent age "Jesus Cells" that Victor keeps worshiping now, "I" mean now and then. For those of your readers who might not have a CRYSTAL BALL, "I" mean, those who don't know that we gods own 93% of Victor's Kingdom, "I" mean victor's body... let's just say that they are not as well read as Saint Thomas of A Qui US... "I" mean 'Aquinas'... long story short, let's just say that these "Jesus Cells through Saint Thomas have quietly told sinner vic, "I" mean us gods that only sea, "I" mean celibate "MAN" can safely give out The Body and Blood of Christ in believable spiritual reality "Faith"... in other words, most married people could give "IT" out butt, "I" mean but "The Angels", "I" mean longer story short her, "I" mean shorter angels who don't really exist and are invisible say that if only one lusting, "I" mean loving sin is committed by these married priest the night before, there will be "HELD" to pay (whatever that means) as far as we gods are concerned, Victor's GOD (Good Old Dad) really never created angels so how can they be jealous of Humans who were committed, "I" mean created in His Image and................................................................and.......................................................................and...

    END YA SAY sinner vic? DON'T BE LIKE THAT! BE NICE NOW!

    Go figure brothers and sisters in Christ nowadays.

    Hey how's the weather in your area Victor #1...lol

    God Bless

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    1. Right now ... it is very cold indeed!

      God bless you and yours.

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  7. Victor - a thought-provoking post as usual. I, too, knew a priest that left the priesthood to get married. I remember it being a moment of clarity for me where I realized how "human" priests are.

    As for your question about whether priests should be married, etc, I often struggle with that as well. On one hand, St Peter was married, and it would certainly increase the amount of people that would consider being priests. On the other hand, Jesus was not married, and tells us that people in Heaven are not married. St Paul also teaches us a lesson that makes sense, that not being married allows singular focus on God.

    I'm afraid I am not smart enough to have a definitive answer on that one. I just pray that our Pope and Bishops lead us in a way that is pleasing to God.

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    1. Like you, Michael, I have no clear answer to the question of married priests. The thing is, the Church has confused the issue by allowing married Anglican priests to join the Catholic Faith. Having done so, the Church has diluted their original stance on the matter.

      God bless.

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  8. KEEP PRAYING VICTOR

    GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHDNuAw-VeE

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I PRAY FOR ALL WHO COMMENT HERE.

God bless you.