Celibacy

01-30-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

In our second reading today, St. Paul touches on celibacy, one of the core practices in the Catholic Church, that has often been a subject of discussion among Catholics and non-Catholics alike especially in the wake of recent sex scandals involving priests. It is important to understand the historical root of celibacy and why the Church considers it a virtue for Priests and Religious in the Latin Rite.

Celibacy is a state of total abstinence or being unmarried, especially because of religious vows. In the Latin Rite (Western Rite), clerical celibacy is mandated for bishops and, as a general rule, for priests and deacons who intend to become priests. In the Eastern Rite, celibacy is mandatory for all bishops and for any priest who has been ordained while unmarried or who has lost his wife. The practice of celibacy for priests and bishops emerged in the 2nd century, but became more widely practiced around the 6th century AD. However, the historical roots of celibacy are based on the Scriptures, mostly from the teachings of Jesus and St. Paul (Matt 19: 12; 1 Cor 7:7-9, 25-38).

The teachings of Jesus, St. Paul and the Church state clearly that celibacy should not be imposed on anyone, but rather a recommendation for those who freely choose to embrace it as a personal discipline and a sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It is not to avoid the problems of marriage or the challenges of dealing with a spouse or raising children. Christian celibacy is for one reason only: for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. As St Paul explains in the second reading today, the vow of celibacy predisposes one to devote his/her life totally to serving God and the christian community.

As stated clearly in the Scriptures and Church teaching, embracing celibacy does not place one at a higher level of holiness than those who do not. Two words that hold both the celibate and noncelibate Catholics to the same level of accountability are chastity and fidelity. While the celibates are called to be chaste and faithful to God like their spouse, those who are married are also called to be faithful to their spouse. Thank you and remain blessed, Fr. James

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