Some days ago, the synodal process of Catholics in Germany called for an end of the celibacy requirement for priests.
Among the criticisms they mention is that this way of life can attract “sexually immature” people. In response, Laurent Touze, a professor of spiritual theology, emphasizes that this problem is not corrected with marriage.
LAURENT TOUZE
Professor of Spiritual Theology
“A psychologically immature person is not prepared for an authentic marriage.”
Some link that immaturity to the phenomenon of abuse, as an outlet. This professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross contends that this is an erroneous theory.
LAURENT TOUZE
Professor of Spiritual Theology
“If a person has perverse tendencies toward children, I think the last think we should do is put those children in that person's home. That's why I think a much better response is the one the Church is adopting, which is to not accept people with those problems into the clergy.”
Laurent Touze also laments the negative light in which the celibacy of Latin Catholic priests is presented.
LAURENT TOUZE
Professor of Spiritual Theology
“The celibacy was not imposed upon me, and I don't know any priest for whom it was. It's not that the bishop who ordained me said, 'You will be celibate and if you refuse I'll punish you.' I chose it freely. Freely, as all my brothers in the priesthood, I think. That is, seeing the beauty of that gift.”
The celibacy has been a way of living out the ministerial priesthood since the first centuries of the Catholic Church. It is not considered a dogma, but rather, a unique way of living out one's relationship with God. Today, there are married priests who come from the Anglican Communion or certain Eastern Catholic rites.
The Synod of the Church in Germany, where the celibacy has been called into question, is different from the synod on synodality the Pope has convoked at the universal level.
AO
TR: CT
