As a sexually active individual, I would find it enormously difficult to place all urges behind me for the purpose of complete spirituality and holiness. Though spirituality is a strong aspect of many people's lives, the human (maybe more so male) condition tempts us strongly with sexual inclinations. I do believe, however, that it is possible to gradually remove ourselves from sexual attachments and the temptations that accompany it. Countless Catholic Priests have successfully achieved celibacy in their quest to emulate Christ, so why is it so hard for certain members of the priesthood to keep from sexual temptation? The answer is simple, they aren't ready for the commitment to God. But we must ask another question, is this tradition fair to devout priests who have to deal with natural human emotions related to sex on a daily basis? Priests and bishops who achieve this separation should be held in high regard, but they should also have the choice of marriage to uphold the institution of marriage by example and relieve priests of the internal hardships associated with sex.
Now that we have addressed marriage and the priesthood, what is the connection between a priest's celibacy and pedophilia. In recent years, the Vatican and subsiding branches of the church have made various efforts to cure the situation with the 550 plus accused priests under the jurisdiction of Roger Mahoney in the Los Angeles Archdiocese alone (no data has been calculated on how many nationally). Aware of the abuse, Mahoney supervised the transferring of numerous priests to different parishes to avoid confrontation. One could argue that the pedophilia is a variable in society in general, and that the media is fueling and encouraging basically a witch hunt of these priests. But why has there not been substantial accusations in other religious institutions where the leaders are permitted to marry. It would definitely be a newsworthy story.
Now that we have addressed marriage and the priesthood, what is the connection between a priest's celibacy and pedophilia. In recent years, the Vatican and subsiding branches of the church have made various efforts to cure the situation with the 550 plus accused priests under the jurisdiction of Roger Mahoney in the Los Angeles Archdiocese alone (no data has been calculated on how many nationally). Aware of the abuse, Mahoney supervised the transferring of numerous priests to different parishes to avoid confrontation. One could argue that the pedophilia is a variable in society in general, and that the media is fueling and encouraging basically a witch hunt of these priests. But why has there not been substantial accusations in other religious institutions where the leaders are permitted to marry. It would definitely be a newsworthy story.
1 comment:
Nice view expressed. But I also see many evangelists / preachers / pastors who are allowed to marry are not faithful to their wives. There are lots of incidents of evangelists / preachers / pastors getting eloped with women who attend their church. At least this is what the case in India!
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