Pope to be arrested, crimes against humanity

I don't think I was going for that particular assumption...

My theory is that by making priests take a vow of celibacy will have a negative effect on drawing from the group of people who have a recognized partner who is a culturally and morally accepted sexual contact. Marriage has traditionally been seen as a contract between a man and a woman... and the church has traditionally looked upon homosexuality as a sin.

Now, while the act is considered a sin, it is afforded the person- the "sinner" a means of forgiveness and redemption through the church... perhaps as youngsters themselves future priests sought help from the church in dealing with the great internal conflict in coping with a part of themselves that the church labels as sinful and society in general isn't overly accepting off either. They can verbally renounce it as a demon to the approval of clergy but doing so won't erase who they are.... and repressing urges that can be powerful could create big problems down the road... but perhaps some of these folks- grateful for the spiritual "redemption" feel that they should repay the "favor" by becoming priests.

Surely one can comprehend how the appearance of celibacy by not marrying or dating can seem trivial for some. The thing is they are just as human as you and I... and every bit as capable of rationalizing things... somehow making it ok to step beyond boundaries. When one is forced to repress something as powerful as a sex drive ones judgment may tend to soften over time.

I think it was explained to me when I asked why priests had to be celibate and the response was along the lines of having a wife was a distraction from spiritual pursuits. Until the Catholic church acknowledges and constructively deals with the fact that institutionally mandated repression of an instinct that the bible itself suggests is to be used (be fruitful and multiply) is a far greater distraction from more pious pursuits.

 

i was just saying dick face.

 

Stinkfoot,

The thing is, it is a discipline, and I am not saying it would be easy. Most of the priests I have talked to have said that ther are hard times, but that they couldn't even imagine being married; that sexualirty for them is a non-issue even. What teveryone seems to be avoiding is the fact that sexual abuse of monirs crops up in other groups as well, most of which do not have celibacy requirements. Also, why would not having sex turn a priest to abusing underage teenage boys? Yes, stranger thigns have happened, but wouldn't that indicate the man is homosexual to begin with?

I think that poor seminary training is a factor that is over looked. I have never been in seminary, so I can only use anecdotal evidence from others, but from what it sounds like is that the amount of time spent on living a celibate life is next to nothing.

 

Your point is well taken...
Yes, sexual abuse of minors crops up in other groups... but I get the sense that the offender to group member ratio is much higher among those who have allegedly chosen a higher calling. I am not furnishing an excuse... just stating a theory- yes, that is theory and NOT fact. Certainly the media have done all they can do to lead me to that conclusion.

It does have to do with discipline... as well as the character and fitness to lead... it has to do with the decisions made by a person who teaches his flock that God is always watching- yet this same shepherd... spiritual leader either demonstrates that he doesn't believe that God is indeed watching and he is being a false prophet merely by not fully believing what he is teaching others

-or-
by some twisted, sociopathic sense of logic he has somehow convinced himself that this is not only not a sin but something that he can do in full view of God.

These acts are being performed by the very people we expect to be the most disciplined. Whether this angle is being covered by the media and press doesn't change it. There really have to be some very critical minds within the Catholic Church having some serious second thoughts about their faith.... particularly when the hierarchy has long followed a policy that protects the guilty priests... even relocating them to other communities where they can victimize new people- and this has gone on for many decades... it's not a new thing.

I can't completely discount your point regarding possible poor seminary training. I won't tell you that you are wrong because I do not know... however I think it may be something far deeper within the human spirit itself.... that would exist regardless of how well the priests were educated and conditioned in seminary. I suspect it may be one reason the Vatican has been so bewilderingly lenient in dealing with offending priests.

 

So it is not celibacy then?

It is something deep, troubling, and scary found within these certain people that causes them to prey on minors.

I think your assumptions of priests (spiritually superior in some way) is a bad form of clericalism that Catholics are often accused of. Those who are consecrated religious (Religious as a noun, not adjective) or priests, or whatever are not called to be more holy than we are, but are meant to simply be there as shepherds or to serve God in their own way (monks serve God in a unique way to a married man or woman). We are all valuable, and we need not reflect or mimic each other to gain some sort of worth. We are all called to discipline, just in different ways.

I do not want to speculate on the minds of the offenders (in terms of conscience), nor do I want to further speculate on causes, only that celibacy is almost certainly not a specific cause...

 

I suspect that there is a link between celibacy and pedophile priests, but it may be indirect. A celibate priesthood provides a haven for men whose sexuality is abnormally developed and who would otherwise have to deal with the societal expectation that they marry. Some do, and commit acts of pedophilia as married men. Some are bachelors and commit such acts. But the celibate priesthood provides an attractive cover. A majority of priests are neither pedophiles nor homosexuals, but it provides and attractive lifestyle for those who are. (And no, I'm not saying most pedophiles are homosexuals or that most homosexuals are abnormal)