Married Catholic priests?

It may be part of human nature for a person to crave for his 15 minutes of fame. Becoming a celebrity even just for a few moments is a rare opportunity that cannot easily be given up. One way or another there is a feeling of delight on being in the limelight. And more so for one who has been overshadowed for quite a time by his more capable and thus more popular colleagues. But I am appalled that even a priest succumbs to this lure of prominence. Somehow this is the unholy feeling I have and the distressing impression I get at the sight of a priest taking advantage of current media attention heaped on certain controversial and unpleasant happenings inside the very church to which he belongs. And I will not deny that I have the same weakness of seeking the limelight under any and all circumstances as this priest has. Which is perhaps the very reason for my critical attitude towards him. I see the specks in his eyes because I also have them in mine. Very human. Very Filipino.

Of course, any verified and proven act of immorality or "inappropriateness" should not be condoned. Especially by the church which is supposed to be the guardian of morality. Neither should it be buried into oblivion and forgotten until the next scandal happens. But as in any organization there are certain steps to be followed. The whole community should not be dragged into the mistakes or sins of a few as to create a scandal, if correction and redress can be done privately. This is the fraternal correction that Christ taught us.

I am sure that the Church is very much concerned about this unfortunate mistakes or immoralities committed by Her priests. And that she is not ignoring or trying to hide them. Never did our Lord tell anybody to sweep the truth under the rugs. But neither did He say that we should wash our dirty linens in public. Our Lord loves the Church, His people, so much that He will not allow any erroneous teachings or practices to undermine Her very existence.

I also believe that the Church is not oblivious to the realities of our time where even Her pastors or the shepherds of Her flock succumb to human weaknesses. But I am also sure that these incidents about priests are not as widespread as to warrant the lifting of the strict disciplinary rules on celibacy of priests by making it optional.

Celibacy may really have no biblical basis. But it gives priests the aura of credibility and holiness that makes them the effective preachers of the teachings of Christ who is Himself a celibate. I certainly would not have the same esteem, high regard and unshakeable trust for married priests as I have for the unmarried ones. The grant of optional celibacy as a solution to the shortage of priests will never compensate for the erosion of the quality of faith of the people of God. We may have more priests but we will also have more half-baked faithfuls.

E-mail: josesison@edsamail.com.ph