An explanation/note in support of preistly celibacy part 2

2. Priestly celibacy creates, or attracts perverts and pedophiles. (continued from yesterday)

One expert in pedophilia, Dr. John Bradford, "estimates its [pedophilia's] prevalence at maybe four percent of the population" (John Cloud, "Pedophilia," Time, April 29, 2002).

Consider that nationwide, an average of 3 to 6 percent of priest per diocese were even ACCUSED of anything. Next the John Jay report says that 78.2 percent of those reported cases of sexual misconduct involved children over the age of 11.

There is nothing defensible in these stats, I am only trying to show that we we hear and read is misleading.

(From FreeRepublic) In his book Pedophiles and Priests, Prof. Philip Jenkins—a Protestant and an expert in the subject of pedophilia—stated, "The most-quoted survey of sexual problems among Protestant clergy states that some ten percent are involved in sexual misconduct of some kind, and that 'about two or three percent' are pedophiles, a rate equal or higher than that suggested for Catholic priests. These figures should be viewed skeptically; the methodology on which they are based is not clear, and they seem to rely disproportionately on individuals already in therapy. However, it is striking to find such a relatively high number suggested for both celibate and non-celibate clergy" (pp. 50-51).

IF in fact the rates are similar between unmarried Catholic priests and able to marry Protestant ministers, that says something. Maybe creepers are attracted to Christian ministry, but I doubt that as well given the low percentages.


3. A married priesthood would do a better job.
On this one I don't have numbers or the Bible to back me up 100 percent. It's mostly just my thoughts but I disagree.

While it is true that some of the priest's functions could carry more weight, or appear more relateable if he were married, I believe the gains are worth less than what would be lost.

Priests often counsel young couples preparing to marry and some counsel marriage in trouble. During confessions, a priest likely comes into situations where he must advise someone who's been unfaithful or is otherwise having marital problems.

In those cases, some argue, a priest could do a better job of advising because of the first hand experience and his advice would carry more weight because the one listening would know he'd been through some of the same.

I agree to a point. A married priest is more relateable to a married person. Also, a married priest would accumulate experience that an unmarried one does not.

Neither is of tantamount importance to his function though. In all these cases the priest is called on to give guidance based on the scripture and Church teaching. In many ways here he is like a lawyer/judge. The situation is explained to him and he is required to advise based on The Law, not based on empathy. His ability to understand those things is not at odds with his being unmarried.

On the contrary, it's the opposite. I think it's a fair thing to say that single people have an opportunity to be better at their jobs than married folks or those who are single but have kids. It doesn't always work that way of course.

Consider this. A male lawyer is single. He is working his way up the ladder by working late almost every night. He can do this indefinitely, focusing all his time and effort toward the firm.

Here from a British priest is a typical weekday:
"My alarm normally goes off at 7.00 am. After shower and shave and breakfast I am in Church by 8.45 am. I then spend 30 minutes in meditation on the Gospel so that I am ready to deliver the homily...

Now I have to decide my priorities - there may be a funeral to conduct, or a visit to the local hospital. More often it might be a visit to the local Catholic schools to do an assembly, or to celebrate a class Mass or hear confessions. I also need to be in touch with the parish secretary - there are letters to be written and meetings to be be arranged (such as 1st Holy Communion or Confirmation with parents), There may also be crisis meetings that push everything else to a lower priority - someone's marriage is in trouble, or there has been a tragedy such as the death of a parishioner or the hospital calls because there is a new-born baby in the emergency room with a serious health issue. By the time I get back to the presbytery, there are usually phone messages to deal with and the mail needs to be tackled."

All of that is described before lunch.

When a call comes in on the emergency line, a priest needs to be able to skip the birthday of a his son (if he had one) to baptize an ill child at the hospital or to not be home for a marriage anniversary because the bishop has sent him to a conference etc.

Sure other jobs are equally if not more taxing, but no one is on call for life. There is no real retirement for priests either. It's all serving God, with one day off a week if you're lucky.

That is why an unmarried priesthood is best. A wife deserves to be a man's focus. A good priest cannot give a wife that focus. His aim is to serve God and the Church, and the parishioners are his family.

I'm not saying there aren't women who could put up with this and priests who could make this work, but they shouldn't have too. It's better the way it is.