In the news again
I am referring to the issue of priestly celibacy. The slew of scandals involving priests in child abuse cases now popping up in Ireland, Germany and in other countries in Europe is again putting the spotlight on whether priestly celibacy is any help to a priest’s life and ministry.
One news item cheekily suggested that the celibacy requirement must be the cause for some priests to get mired in sex scandals. Another speculated that celibacy must be psychologically dangerous. I think those fears and suspicions are wide of the mark.
There was even a thinly-veiled attempt to draw the Pope to these scandals, considering that before becoming a Vatican official and later on as Pope, he was bishop in one of the German dioceses where the scandals erupted. Well, nice try.
The media is now on edge, ready to pounce once the situation develops into a more interesting state. Ok, let’s enjoy the suspense.
I can understand all these reactions and turn of events. Still I have to reiterate that priestly celibacy is good and helpful for everyone. Not that there are no problems. There are, and they can be big and menacing, but the solutions are also not lacking. We just have to tackle this issue the way it now demands.
Priestly celibacy, for sure, is not just a disciplinary matter. It has a deep and rich theological significance that gives crucial meaning and direction to our lives. It´s actually a matter of love. Where there is love properly grounded and focused, celibacy would be no problem. In fact, celibacy would be one of love´s finest expressions.
Its requirements are tremendous, but its benefits are simply indescribable and what everyone needs. Living it is giving witness to our future ultimate state of life in heaven, where everyone will be celibate. On the practical side, it makes one more available for the others.
Of course, if not lived well, and in fact when scandals arise, it can truly cause sharp pain on everyone too.
So to live it well should be the concern of all, especially of the priests themselves and the pertinent authorities. But we have to have a reality check first. We cannot go by theories and good intentions alone.
Given our weakened human condition and the complexity of our world today, not to mention the many dimensions of celibacy that need to be integrated, more teeth have to be put into the proper understanding of its nature and purpose, and its proper practice.
For one we need to dismantle a certain unhealthy clerical mentality, obviously not intentionally wanted but is somehow present, where this concern for priestly celibacy is kept mute and therefore not sufficiently addressed and worked out.
I get the impression that the official attitude toward it is reactive more than pro-active. We seem to act only when there are problems. We take for granted the on-going efforts we need to nourish and strengthen it especially these days when there a lot more of temptations.
Just look at all the gadgets available, for example. While they can be a great help, they too can be a source of subtle but constant temptations. We cannot be naïve and just turn a blind eye at likely dangerous situations these gadgets can give rise to.
We need to create a culture where this topic should be brought out more often in spiritual direction and confession, all done in an atmosphere of confidence and trust. Indeed, it can be brought out in open discussions to take up general concerns.
If the priests and seminarians don’t bring it out, then their superiors and formators should ask about it. In fact, there should be constant monitoring of relevant events and developments—social, cultural, etc.—to see how these affect priests and seminarians with respect to celibacy.
It’s important that the concrete situation of each one is mapped out, delineating where the danger areas are and indicating the prudent measures not only to prevent mistakes but more to foster the love and skill for celibacy.
There is complacency, or perhaps an understandable hesitation to talk about it, since it is a very intimate, personal matter. But then again, if we understand the social implications and public character of such a personal matter, talking about it in confidential chats and making consultations should not be deemed awkward.
To live this well, that is, always in the context of love, both the supernatural and human means are needed—prayer, sacraments, mortifications, fidelity to a plan of ongoing formation, Marian devotion, temperance, prudence, hard work, etc.
(Fr. Cimagala is the Chaplain of Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City. Email: roycimagala@gmail.com)
