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Paraguayan prelate: No reason to reconsider celibacy
Jul. 01, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionASUNCION, Paraguay
Responding to comments by Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, the archbishop of Asuncion said the Catholic Church has no reason to reconsider the church discipline of celibacy for Latin-rite priests. Archbishop Eustaquio Cuquejo Verga told the Paraguayan newspaper La Nacion, "Celibacy is celibacy" and that, as a former bishop, Lugo "is aware of the rules of the Catholic Church." In an interview published June 11 in Chile's El Mercurio newspaper, Lugo said the church should rethink its stance on celibacy.
The president's administration was rocked in April by revelations that he had fathered a child after he had resigned as bishop, but before being laicized by the Vatican, while he was running for the presidency. Lugo legally recognized the boy, who is now 2 years old. Two other women also claimed Lugo had fathered children with them, although he has called the claims "allegations." After spending Father's Day with the child June 21, he said the boy was his "only son."
God bless Archbishop Verga
God bless Archbishop Verga for his clear and unambiguous defense of a great blessing that God has given the Church: clerical celibacy.
The A/b is right that because
The A/b is right that because of a non-celibate bishop, this is not a reason to reconsider mandatory celibacy. However there are plenty of other legitimate reasons to re-consider mandatory celibacy; and do it now. The lack of sacramental life for the laity due to the escalating shortage of priests is the main reason. Does the A/B think celibacy trumps the Eucharist? What is his scriptural or traditional argument?
Having none, keep quiet.
Why would they reconsider.
Why would they reconsider. There have always been individuals within the Church who have lead undisclosed irregular lives. The responsibility is theirs and theirs alone....
Young men need to see the
Young men need to see the priesthood as heroic and worthwhile. relaxing the standards is the exact opposite of what will help get more men in our seminaries. The androgyny that so many people want to push on our culture has to go if we ever want to have full rectories again.
That, and treating all vocations as vocations, marriage and religious life as well as priesthood. kids need to be taught to think about how they are becoming good men and women obedient to God's will in their lives just as much as they should think about what they want to do as a career.
Brian writes: "The androgyny
Brian writes:
"The androgyny that so many people want to push on our culture has to go if we ever want to have full rectories again."
Some readers may unfortunately find that an infelicitous choice of terminology within the context of celibate clergy.
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