Ask a Catholic

[Randy Carson]

Does a physician need to have experienced a heart attack himself in order to give advice about diet and exercise as it relates to lowering your cholesterol? Does a counselor need to have been a heroin addict herself in order to advise a junkie about the dangers of unclean hypodermic needles?

I'm not trying to make light of this objection...I have heard it before from Protestants who also object to the celibacy of Catholic priests...I'm simply saying that the clinical psychiatrist with a PhD in family counseling might never have experienced ALL of the problems that his patients may discuss in his office, but that doesn't mean he's not able to effectively provide solutions to those who are hurting...even if he IS wearing a collar.

Of course not. But they have received appropriate training, whereas priests have not. Their knowledge about marriage and family is restricted to the bible [emphasis added], which as I mentioned, doesn't address everything and contains outdated views that don't apply to today's families.

Next, I see a slight contradiction here

Really? With a thorough understanding of the theology of marriage, they may have a better grasp of what marriage is than secular counselors. But if experience with sexuality is the problem, perhaps it would be better to consult a prostitute.

Well, these things might be true, I suppose, under normal circumstances. But we're talking about men whom, it may be presumed, are responding to a call from GOD. And if God calls, He also grants the grace.

And

You will get no argument from me here. I was a candidate at a Trappist monastery for five years, and I did meet with the vocation director of the Archdiocese of Atlanta when I was a student there. So, I had a little insight into what was required for entrance into the religious life or priesthood. Let me just say that psychological profiling is an important component of candidate evaluation and - in light of all that has gone on with regard to the pedophile priest scandal - an even more significant factor today than in the past.

I can assure you that seminaries and monasteries do NOT want men who are anything less than 100% healthy, happy and well-adjusted because religious life is no escape. If anything, it is a pressure cooker that turns UP the heat...not down.

That does not compute. If god calls, why does priesthood attract inappropriate people? Why is psychological profiling needed?

Because the directors of the seminaries are NOT omniscient. God does call the legitimate candidates, but others can apply for unsuitable reasons. And these in the latter are just as convinced of their calling as those in the former group. Knowing which is which is not easy.

Are you saying that the negative biological and psychological effects of celibacy are not present because god ensures they do not occur? IOW, is god making sure that priests are fit for priesthood? Why the profiling then, and whence cometh the pedophile priests?

It appears contradictory that god allegedly gets rid of the side effects of celibacy, yet calls the wrong people all the time.

Priests are still human! They still have the same temptations that are common to all of us. Some unfit men can and do slip through, and this is painfully obvious when you see the headlines about the abuse that occurred in some places at the hands of priests who should never have been ordained. Psychological testing is only part of the discernment process, and all of it is subject to human error. The amazing thing to me is that God continues to maintain His Church despite the VERY imperfect materials He has to work with - humans!

Also, I found this interesting, coming from a former priest:

---

One of the most unrecognized temptations faced by the vowed celibate is loneliness. This may sound contrary to the last point, because celibates interact with people through their various ministries. How can one be lonely when one is surrounded by people?

The loneliness of celibacy can be due to the inability to form exclusive relationships. Think of it this way: a single person called to marriage can experience loneliness even though such a person is in school or works with people and has friendships.

What marriage offers people is not simply company in a given moment, but the gift of shared memories and shared goals as a relationship is built over time. Married people do not experience the loneliness of a celibate. Some celibates are tempted to fill this hole from time to time with sexual pleasure.

I suspect that one of the reasons heterosexual priests break their vows is that they are called to priesthood, but were never called to celibacy. The two vocations are not identical.

---

I imagine that loneliness is a big deal for many priests. It is a calling, but it is also a sacrifice. Very complex, all in all. I don't think anyone could do it if it were not for the grace that God gives to live it.

I'm relieved to find out about the requirements, though. That is a good practice.

Cool. Enough on this topic?