Lorena Rojas
PHI 10 Critical Thinking
February 16, 2014
Professor: Angela Yusim
MSMC
Number of Words: 1520
The Catholic Priests, Celibacy and Pedophilia
First of all, I would like to clarify that I am neither religious nor a fanatic of religion but I had always asked myself these questions, why priests don’t get marry? Does celibacy lead to pedophilia? It is a fact that there’s a shortage of priests in the world. According to Vatican statistics, between 1975 and 2008 the world's Catholics increased by 64% from 709.6 million to 1.166 billion, but the number of priests increased by only 1% from 404,783 to 409,166 (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University). Worldwide there are an estimated 125,000 priests who left the active ministry to marry. In the U.S. an estimated 25,000 priests have left to marry .
However, after carefully researching, asking people, reading books, of course the bible, and the Internet, I found that to become a priest, not only requires years of formal education and physical training, but also it is a lifestyle established years ago where priests do not marry. Their goal is to imitate Christ who lived totally dedicated to the salvation of souls and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. In fact, the bible also states that, the married man is concerned with the things of the world, the wife and the children, while the unmarried one is able to concentrate on the things of God, specifically in the Corinthians 1 7:32-33: “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.”
It is important to say that Jesus didn’t order that t...
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... that is made to the Catholic Church, that not only highlights the commitment of seminarians to their vocation, but it is also considered a symbol of Jesus celibacy. However, I do believe that those that commit horrendous crimes against children and adolescents are not fit to be priests nor they are fit to be married either. What woman would want to marry a man if she knows is a sexual abuser? Moreover, George Weigal denies that sexual abstinence is grounds to a depraved behavior, he says, "blaming celibacy is like blaming marriage for adultery." As I mentioned above, most experts believe that pedophilia is not curable, but therapy may help patients manage those feelings and not act on them. Also, the American Psychological Association stands firmly behind efforts to criminally prosecute those who sexually abuse and exploit children and adolescents.
Described as a “precious jewel” by Pope Paul VI, a vow of celibacy, abstaining from marriage and all sexual activity is required for those choosing a life of service in the Roman Catholic Church (Frazee 108). Perhaps one of the most long standing debates within the Roman Catholic Church is the issue of clerical celibacy, in particular for priests. Many ask, does compulsory celibacy for priest have any place in today’s modern world? Some will argue that compulsory celibacy for priest is essential for priest to adequately serve their parishioners as well as to faithfully serve God. While others suggest that this is an antiquated unnatural practice that is harmful for not only the priest but for the Roman Catholic Church. However, in order to adequately answer this question, it is imperative to understand the history of compulsory clerical celibacy in the Roman Catholic faith, as well as the reasoning for the implementation of this practice among clerics.
In 1970, a national survey said 70% of Americans believed “homosexuals are dangerous as teachers or youth leaders because they try to get sexually involved with children” (Herek). The idea that homosexuals are prone to child molestation has lessened in later years, however, another poll taken in 1999 stated 19% of heterosexual men and 10% of heterosexual women believed gay men are likely to molest children (Herek). Catholic officials are considering whether to ordain homosexuals as priests. This debate has been sparked by allegations, mostly by young boys and men, that priests sexual molested them. The Boy Scouts of America have declared homosexuals are not welcome in their organization, despite the fact that scoutmasters accused of molestation tend to be married. Fundamentalist Christians are determined to keep homosexuals away from children, claiming, “homosexuals molest children at a much higher rate than heterosexuals” (Traditional). This assertion is wrong, and an unfounded stereotype. Homosexuals are no more prone to child molestation than anyone else. In this paper, I will show the lack of a correlation between homosexuality and child molestation.
Throughout the years, there has been constant debate to whether priests should remain celibate or should have the option to marry during priesthood. In Catholicism, the Church holds that celibacy is a gift of the Holy Spirit for the Church; therefore, it is not something negotiable. Many devoted Catholics view the idea of ending celibacy as an absolutely ridiculous thought, but there are many devoted Catholics who have the opinion that ending celibacy in priesthood could have a positive impact in Catholicism. The questions remain: Which is the proper choice? Do Catholics have authority to change tradition? As a raised Catholic and from a personal standpoint, I believe that celibacy in priesthood is beneficial and that its tradition is quite beautiful. Not only should Catholicism continue with its tradition because it is his...
Sexual abuse is a growing concern in society today. So many people are hurt by the actions of other people when they abuse them, especially in a sexual manner. The Catholic Church is also now being targeted for sexual offenders. Priests have been charged with sexually abusing young boys that are involved with the church. The church has been looking the other way on this issue for many years. The children as well as their family are being hurt and its time something was done to prevent the further exploitation of young boys in the Catholic Church.
Marriage between a man and women is ordained of God. I believe this to be true not just because of a personal experience but because it is true. A child should grow up in a home where a father and mother reside. These two beings complement
"Sex Education in Christian & Catholic Schools." The Premier Online Debate Website. 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 7 Mar. 2014. .
According to oca.org, marriage is the most perfect natural expression of God’s love for men. In order for the love of a man and woman to be that which God has: perfectly created it to be, it must be unique, indestructible, unending and divine. In the sacrament of marriage, a man and a woman become one spirit and one flesh in a way which no human love can provide by itself. Marriage is seen as one of the biggest deals for Eastern Orthodoxy. There are rules that must be followed and if broken it is a huge sin.
The Roman Catholic Church also controlled marriage, one of the most important parts of one’s life. The Roman Catholic religion believed that marriage was life-long. The only exception, which isn’t considered divorce at all, is if a woman was widowed, she was able to find another man and re-marry. But divorce was something church would not allow. When a citizen couple wanted to get married, the church also required them to pay a fine. A different fine was needed to be paid if one wanted to get her child baptized, and another if one wanted to bury their deceased loved one on the Church’s
There are several issues at play as this scandal continues. In this paper I hope to look at the actual scandals involving retired priest Paul Shanley and defrocked priest John Geoghan. These two men served as priests in the Boston community for over 20 years under the leadership of three different Cardinals. Throughout their years of service they had sexual relationships with males ranging from the age of 4 to 26. Only within the past year were legal steps taken against them. John Geoghan was tried and convicted and Paul Shanley’s case is still under investigation.
In over a period of years, an increasing amount of attention has been shed to the problem of child sexual abuse in the church. While churches, and other facilities which care for children, have had their experience of this problem, most attention has been brought to the abuse in the Catholic Church. Around the world, case after case has been seen in the press of clergy and members of religious orders being charged with sex offenses against children. Some of these cases go back decades. The issue has certainly brought attention around the world. The reason why, is the question that ponders in everyone mind.
During the Age of Reformation people were greatly against the abuses that existed in the Roman Catholic Church. A couple of abuses that were greatly stressed were the selling of indulgences, simony, and nepotism. It was some of these same abuses that prompted German reformist Martin Luther to write his 95 Theses. And for the Council of Trent to later address them in a series of meetings.
Why is the Catholic Church so corrupt in its teaching? They have found ways to control the knowledge that their followers contemplate on. The control of knowledge and power is the foundation for every successful religious organization. The Catholic Church have acquired this power through strategic control on the mind of its follower. The Catholic Church propagate their ideals as righteous in order to be accepted; for without this acceptance, they are faced with the task of initiating this power through force. So to beguile their followers, they present themselves in “sheep clothing” (KJV, Matt 7:15). They are accepted as blameless, peaceful, loving and harmless but in actuality, “they are ravening wolves” (KJV, Matt. 7:15).
Throughout the world, the protection of children is the main priority. When it comes to the United States, pedophiles are recognized as a threat to the wellbeing of kids of ages of 13 and under. Pedophilia is a mental disorder that can be treated; however, there is no cure for it. This means that pedophiles could be aided in a manner that protects both the pedophile and the youth. In the United States pedophilia is viewed more as a criminal case than a mental disorder resulting in criminal cases of pedophilia not decreasing and the endangerment of the pedophile and their mental health.
Fundamentalist attacks on priestly celibacy come in a number of different forms—not all compatible with one another. There is almost no other subject about which so many different confusions exist.
From the book of Proverbs, we are also told that God designed marriage and sex not only as a means for bringing children into this world, but also as God's appointed means for a man to find pleasure in his wife. In the New Testament, we are told that Jesus attended a wedding in Cana of Galilee and miraculously provided wine when their supplies were exhausted. The Apostle Paul also had a great deal to say about the covenant that God ordained between man and woman. Paul assumed that elders and deacons would be married and have bare children. Paul also encouraged younger widows to marry and he claimed the right as an apostle to lead a wife.