(08-11-2024, 10:35 PM)James Wrote: This, by Dr Clare McGrath-Merkle, is also broadly relevant, referring to the post-"reformation" theology (French school of spirituality) of the priesthood: https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2020/03/p...uthor-says
Quote from the link above, "Cardinal Sarah mentions that Church councils by the 4th century had already called on the importance of continence for priests. I can speak to the era of Pope St. Gregory the Great who was born in the 6th century and who met the corruption of his day by making celibacy a rule for married clergy and a new rule for candidates. As an ideal, celibacy has required, over the centuries, repeated restorations of its practice. We know the need for intimacy and the desire for family are two reasons priests either elect to lead double lives or leave ministry."
So, in the 6th Century, to fix corruption, go with celibacy, the idea came from Pope St. Gregory the Great.
Double lives - I have had women tell me stories of priests approaching them for the reasons listed above, it's a real thing. I've actually should say, many stories of women.
I'm also guessing, not all priests departing the Church to be married are laicized. (Laicization is request to leave as preist, and defrocking is issued as punishment.)
Infamous case of Miami priest, when I was still living in Florida.
Read story - Father Albert Cutie Lashes Out at Catholic Church
"Celibacy works for some priests some of the time, but it does not work for most priests most of the time."
