Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993 TAG: 9305080169
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BRIGGS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The spiritual discipline practiced by Christian figures from Jesus to Mother Teresa is often viewed in today's culture as abnormal. Despite contrary evidence showing sexual abuse is a problem in all religious denominations, some have tied the recent scandals in the Roman Catholic Church to its prohibition of married priests.
But others question whether the hostility toward celibacy has deeper roots in a culture that they say has often shown greater interest in self-gratification than in self-sacrifice.
"Today, there are fewer celibates and there is more poverty," says Elizabeth McNamer of Eastern Montana College. "People aren't doing things for gratis anymore."
New Testament writings indirectly refer to celibacy, but there is no clear mandate regarding the practice.
For example, in the seventh chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul writes: "To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion."
In the 19th chapter of Matthew, Jesus says "there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."
In the Gnostic Acts from the second century, which were not accepted into the official canon, celibacy had a particularly high value, McNamer wrote in an article on "The Origins of Celibacy for Women in the Christian Church."
In four of the five acts, abstinence from sex is demanded as a way of salvation, she said. The Acts of Peter show Peter bringing his crippled daughter back to health and then restoring her to paralysis when he realizes that she may lose her virginity, McNamer wrote.
By the fourth century, when Christianity was made legal and the persecution of Christians was ending, celibacy replaced martyrdom as the ultimate asceticism, according to McNamer.
The monastic tradition began, and its legacy of service can still be seen today in the number of churches, schools and hospitals started and operated by religious orders.
For women after the establishment of the church hierarchy, celibacy has also offered a way to exercise authority in the church, where married women were often viewed solely as wives and mothers, she said.
Today, there are many people who call upon the Catholic Church to make celibacy optional. They say mandatory celibacy is an outdated policy that is a major cause of the priest shortage, particularly when many Catholic priests who left to marry have indicated they would return to the priesthood if the rule were changed.
McNamer says the Catholic Church needs to explore issues around sexuality and the priesthood, but should not lose sight of the positive values of the celibate life.
"It frees one to serve," she said.
The Rev. Charles Robinson, who serves the Crow Indian reservation in Crow Agency, Mont., agrees.
He traces the decline in religious vocations along with shortages in professions such as nursing to a lessened commitment to personal sacrifice in today's society.
"I guess I see celibacy as a radical commitment to Jesus Christ and to the kingdom of God," Robinson said. "We live out our lives in service to God."
David Briggs has reported on religion for The Associated Press since November 1988. Briggs received his master's degree from Yale Divinity School in 1985.
by CNB