Celibate Clergy: The Need for Historical Debate
Thomas O’Loughlin
One recurring theme in almost every discussion of Catholic Church's ministry is a call for debate on what has been one the most carefully fostered aspects image priest: that he without wife.11 Cf. C.N.L. Brooke, “Gregorian Reform Action: Clerical Marriage England, 1050–1200,”Cambridge Historical Journal 12(1956)1–21. This usually attached strange historical twist this discipline either “simply canonical” with implication it can be changed easily; or “ancient tradition”— often passing reference to Synod Elvira 30622 For text canons Elvira, set context, see S. Laeuchli, Power and Sexuality: The Emergence Canon Law at Elvira(Philadelphia 1972). — argument's implicit thrust change difficult well-nigh impossible.33 See T. O’Loughlin, “Priestly Celibacy ‘Arguments from History’,”Doctrine Life 49(1999) 411–22. Since first group no reason appeal history they are not my concern here as an theologian. group, argument simply demonstrated now good church, its ministry, task evangelisation, whatever. If anything assists these tasks, then outcome sufficient justification change. Others who argue can, should, changed, commitment celibacy posing little difficulties. whatever reasons were offered past, their impact present decision cannot too serious matter: there have been, de facto, married priests Latin tradition (both past today) inhibited usus matrimonii, so problem? those, however, support canonical Church, appears great moment. Indeed, is, witness work Cardinal Stickler his protégé Cholij,44 A.M. Stickler, Case Celibacy: Its Development Theological Foundations(San Francisco 1995); R. Cholij, East West(Leominster 1988). bulwark par excellence against assumption when evidence laid out, “clear” clerical ancient lineage, seen fundamentally based within essentials Christian spirituality, and, hence, was matter legitimate “development” should codified law.55 Once law, automatically related precedents becomes part “seamless robe” law all such cases virtually circle. Moreover, clamour demonstrates depth significance celibacy, also produces any must justified historically. An example statement by John Wilkins making compulsory felt obliged add “But which goes right back early years Church contend with”.66 Tablet, editorial, 4 May 2002. It “twist”, namely major case answer, here: how significant “objection history”, more importantly, nature. In investigation “history” aspect belief/practice church where deemed relevance current practice, step clarify “tradition” distinguished. much two millennia distinction would even understood. History, understood activities tradition, linked identical. ably expressed Vincent Lerins fifth century: rule doing believing always done held, everyone, everywhere.77 Commonitorium 2,5 (CCSL 64, p. 149); cf. “Newman, Development,”Irish Quarterly 58(1991)147–166. seamless robe whose true immune ravages decay action guarantee action. Hence “churchly history”(historia ecclesiastica)88 Early historians did write “church history” sense specific branch dealing society (e.g. “military deals soldiers; believers’ societies); rather saw communities Christians acting churches. could doctrine teaching example. So concepts, sixteenth-century Reformers had become corrupt recent tantamount declaring authority: if corrupt, err, force greater than custom. key view form unbroken continuity, whole single epoch.99 J.J. Contreni, “‘lions, bishops meant; wolves, priests’: Exegesis, Carolingian Haimo Auxerre's Commentary Ezechiel,”Francia 29/1(2002)29–56 only today being age after Christ, but systematic relegation marriage inferior spiritual state, hence truly suitable those pastors. With expect consistency continuity decisions enters metahistorical “hodie” canon law,1010 S.G. Kuttner, Harmony Dissonance: Interpretation Medieval Law(Latrobe 1960), passim. realm systematician cite papal statements long ago along quotations long-dead theologians argument. And, moreover, predictive history: infallible makes “now”(e.g. time Trent), reflected some way we find it! older manuals dogmatics that, example, say auricular confession sins priest exist until medieval period, used the, seemingly precise, form: “no survived of…” left open possibility happened! pattern obfuscation begun nineteenth century face rise latched “inchoate anticipations”(“it does look like talking about there”) “disciplina arcani”(“it want anyone know”) preserve practice between now.1111 “Medieval History: Beyond apologetics, development, awkward memories,”The Way 38(1998)65–76; idem, “Theologians use evidence: common pitfalls,”The Month 261(2001)30–35 Such model begins ideal, shown belongs deposit future. History methodology, sub-section argument, shows novelty. Ideally, everywhere times, suffices show range items possible citation Elvira.1212 1922 edition H. Denzinger's Enchiridion symbolorum(ed. 14 C. Bannwart J.B. Umberg; Freiburg) appendix (p. 1*) entitled De coelibatu clericorum (surprisingly dedicated degrees councils judged “ecumenical”) supplied relevant local synod Elvira. These do merely approved historically tesserae historian wants create larger picture legal discipline. assumptions modern historian, referred product historians, stand radical contrast identify “history.” difference past. need history, needs because activities, lifestyle, world-view different. historian's equivalent Vincentian dictum “the foreign country, things differently there!” follows changes seeks explore possible, follow sequences interacting another. nor each re-writes narrative asking different questions highlighting That activity, rooting out obscure information own sake, noting quickly works dated.1313 On writing, W.H.C. Frend, From Dogma How Our Understanding Developed(London 2003). Pick critically excellent, e.g. Duchesne's Church1414 English translation three volumes appeared London, 1901–1922; appreciation monument critical scholarship Roman Catholic, op. cit., pp. 108–143. before 1960 chapter random, while dates details may same, itself feels alien world concerns, debates, overall vision topic. describes us the/our relate us, snapshot (anything datum grist historians” mill “history”), genetic explanation our present. answers basic question: get knows better most, changing. therefore, studying theological issues be, depending locus questions, reflection nature belief terms come shape has. canonist theology,1515 However, relationship dependency pioneered Duchesne. enquiry another method questioning. human science, understanding, collection background information; purpose estimate about, seek “to recover past”(which impossible except romantic illusion) mimic live same millennium ago.1616 Taft, “The Structural Analysis Liturgical units: Essay Methodology,”Worship 52(1979)314–329 317–8. tradition? Tradition process allows studies: result “handing on” practices, memories, ideas, handing connections people generations Human beings living societies traditions contact make community religious club. But idea handed fact assumed represent ideal. There perfect Christianity reflections notions produced systematicians preachers abstractions real stretch Christians.1717 Teachers Code-Breakers: Genesis Tradition, 430–800(Turnhout 1999), 39–72. vicissitudes, knowing things, forgetting other emphasising community, ignoring another, becoming confused aspect, growing stronger elsewhere up collective experience Christians. growths declines operate ill over Church; know access vast pool interpreting made placed again ill, today. bonds received induct others into discipleship. handing-on, helps judge got help alert contingency live: turned way, very differently! And awareness points different, existing aware future will day presents fresh situation. As Picasso reputed remarked: putting your grandfather's hat, having baby! Beginning “tradition”, original question posed article radically transformed. series obstacles overcome, chronological precedents1818 collections law. aside worked around yet erred past; acknowledgement here, factors influential bringing limitations operative course time, paradigms holiness times investigators countenance today, country. review standpoint western like? Here sketch, footnotes, approach.1919 noted still detailed H.C. Lea, Sacerdotal Church(2 vols, London 1907) hostile tone uncritical uses many sources, dated assumptions. centuries, valuable built-up church's administration essential esprit corps. since scandals mid-eighteenth France, authorities perceived badge identity officers presented representing willingness pay price survival system. Popes spoken jewel crown priesthood”. some, notably Pope Gregory XVI 1832 Pius IX 1846, suspected conspiracy undermine Catholicism attacking celibacy. quite certain “their” strategy promote abolition once longer energy resist wanted destroy Church. Until recently clerics recruitment drives schools robust language leaving ties attachments: ready world-wide deployment moment's notice. celibate hybrid Red Adare Marine Corps army Christ. B-movie romanticism (“I’ve family home, I’ll message through lines!”) seems far-fetched, study old seminary anthems All Hallows, Dublin: “in lands afar – Christ King comrades bravely fight teach nations bear banner Lord”. Meanwhile, nineteenth-century defenders general population, realising clergy neither mobility marines, go “on sick-call”, ally outcast, friend children. image, French writers Lacordaire ignoble, certainly fanciful repeated episcopal legislation demanding minimal availability parishes clear. bishops’ had, sacramental duties carried hold them account regard pastoral care. transport possibilities travel improved, complexity attempts diocesan synodal keep job. Parallel official promotion grim realisation caused widespread problems: just drunken problem, situations public scandalous. Other problems men active priesthood quietly ignored, believe “priests leaving” phenomenon encountered 1960s. best examine covered universal tellingly provincial regulations. ranged excommunication incurred absolved sexual partner, regulations forbidding let woman sit front seat car she travelling him. celibacy's effects tracts sermons given seminarians actual Christians, minutiae pre-1917 corpus wishing reveal canonists anxious justify contemporary legislation. gleaned scanty references ministers earliest documents, clear notion celibacy; indeed, positive runs counter arcani” type. took granted. 1 Cor 9:5 Matt 8:14 provide clearest evidence. later under demonstrate antiquity (at already ideal apostleship) both controverted: Paul “wife” translated “woman”(cf. Vulgate) helper/housekeeper widower; Peter widower became follower Jesus but, significantly, added elements taken value imply wives. We late first-century rejoiced Peter's wife martyr (Eusebius, 3,30,2) although her name survive martyrologies. Eusebius tells Apostle Philip four daughters important leaders Syrian second (History 3,31,4). centuries texts (included New Testament Paul) specify qualities priests: skill running families monogamous (1 Tim 3:2 3:12; Tit 1;6); warning forbid grounds 4:3). slightly Clement Alexandria (c.150-c.215) unmarried lest approval rejection marriage. central plank spirituality exhorted flock apostles especially fathered children, wife. using present: agree rejected “belonging devil”, showed position deviation practices Yet, fourth something changed. Then signs disquiet compatibility priesthood. Spain (Elvira, c. 306) decreed cleric undertake absolute continence deposed. Spanish bishop tried similar acceptance Council Nicea (325), intended empire, rejected. Egyptian Paphnutius, speak authority unmarried, thought imprudent, objectionable reduced personal choice regulation. Recently, gone lengths speech “official”acta council objection, lawyer’s. issue whether “cite” Paphnutius “legal precedent” story might understand happened afoot. First, growth monasticism was, holy life. Second, writers, notable Jerome (c.347–419) Ambrose (c.339–397) held higher condition cultic purity required abstinence sexuality. earth-bound reality, angelic, involved Jerome's phrase “while peoples earth, virginity heaven (matrimonia terram replent, uirginitas autem paradisum) captures second-rate law-books writings life Reformation. sexuality (a) incompatible holiness, (b) destroyed purity, (c) somehow lower scale dirty, (d) connected Original Sin, complex origins. But, interesting repeatedly guises well last Reformation, praise warning-phrase like: “but denigration marriage”. Third, during fourth-fifth emerged distinctive developing “orders” divide clergy/laity emerge time. Likewise, civil religion, new profile (distinctive dress mentioned time) corporate defined apart leader society, sanctioned separation lifestyle holiness. bishops, priests, deacons period combined earning ideas far lives. Britain inheritors passed father son grandfather St Patrick), grass-roots religion world. forces favouring coming together documents. Damasus, writing Gallic (c. 380), successor Siricius African 385), Innocent (early fifth-century) several Leo I, fifty said continent, married, least periodically continent (i.e. saying Mass)— rationale implies women unclean source unholiness. Similar laws found (mainly southern Gaul) sixth centuries. They envisage celibates ordained, ordained cease relations wives permanently night Mass. Needless say, areas affected decrees, matters sleeping accommodation, maids, (other mothers) house, appear also. feature noted, recognised dangers property alienated death priest. body appealed nothing sort: small, influential, believed mandatory. decrees intent, effect verbatim next. indicate among administrators air. (monks apart) places hint disapproval. considered universal, impact, eight-century systematisation shape, included. While others, clergy, exclude clerics. books, Ireland, Collectio canonum hibernensis(early eighth-century), assumes marry, quotes monogamy well-regulated households, concerned property. born. next phase development comes eleventh parcel medievalists investiture struggle” Gregorian reform”. Again together. power. Whose imperial primacy administration, whom owe loyalty, power appointments. discussed precedence pope emperor: chaplain, emperor pope's secular administrator. dispute fought parish level. conflict 1018 Benedict VIII issued primarily aimed avoiding shift control. continued (1049) Nicholas II (1059) sought reduce priests’ status servants attend Mass married) sotto voce: contributions. clearly rights property, tied likely papacy rulers maintenance advancement. movement style organised
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