The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 8)

p> Roy Hogue's statement that the celibacy requirement is what made the priesthood attractive to homosexual men is so mind-blowingly ignorant that I don't know where to start. By his reasoning, homosexual men need a celibacy requirement, to, first, join the priesthood, second, molest little boys?? How, exactly does that work Roy? Do you honestly think that a pedophile would not be a pedophile if the church allowed them to marry? Pedophiles are not interested in adults as sex partners and their vocation in life has nothing to do with their interest in molesting children. Subject two: A celibate priest does not come up with rules for life on marriage, family, children, and sexuality from thin air; it comes from the bible, the word of God. He does not need personal life experience to know what is right and wrong, he only needs his faith in the word of God. By your own requirements that a person must have personal life experience before commenting on a given subject, then you have no right to comment on being a priest or religion, because most likely, you have no experience with either. br> -- Jeff Goff /p>

The crisis in the vocations actually shines light on the deeper crisis in the Catholic family. Catholic Tradition always recognizes Our Lady as the First Apostle. It was because of her fiat that Christ entered into History. This humble woman from a forgotten corner of Judea wash chosen as the vessel that brought salvation into the world. Like Mary, mothers of the Christian faith collaborated with God in producing children who populate our convents, monasteries and seminaries. The linkage between the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (the making of mothers), the hierarchy of the family, and the Church were well known until recently.

It is no surprise that the crisis in vocations began with the decay of the family, and the liberation of sex from God's will. Contraception puts Man's imprimatur on the marriage act, and makes sex a thing-in-itself. In just 3 generations Matrimony has been reduced to a social contract, motherhood has been likened to slavery, and the womb has become downright dangerous. In the old days families used to look to the Holy Family as the ideal to emulate. Desperate Housewives seem to be our ideal these days. It isn't difficult to see the decay of the Catholic family mirror the decay in the vocations.

p>The Church isn't about to remove celibacy from the priesthood. It cannot allow women into the priesthood anymore than it will allow transgender men into the convents. The catalysts for the vocations were set initially by The Holy Family, and continued through the years imperfectly. When the Church did allow for non-celibate clerics it was met with catastrophe. The Church learned its lessons. If we want to see an increase in vocations it must start in the family. Until Catholics open themselves to life, until they emulate the obedience, and devotion of St. Mary and St. Joseph, we will continue to have parishes without fathers. br> -- J.P. Koch br> Mishawaka, Indiana /p> p> I'd like to follow up on Mr. Chiarello's letter regarding the legacy of JPII, who was a great missionary, writer, and evangelistic, but a poor administrator. He failed to supervise the clergy, leading to the multiple scandals. Only the Pope can remove or transfer corrupt bishops. He didn't do that. He formulated a new (and false) doctrine of opposition to capital punishment, with disastrous results. Pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians quickly picked up on this. They now claim, "We agree with the Pope on capital punishment, while you conservatives don't." No pro-abortion Catholic politicians have been excommunicated. We are all judged by how we fulfill the duties of our state of life. And Popes, with the tremendous power and responsibility of their office, are judged by a very high standard indeed. Benedict XVI has a huge job ahead. br> -- C. Baker /p>

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