After reading his chapter contribution, here are my reflections which reaffirmed the need for a married priesthood for our time:
1.) The de facto existence of married priests in the Church's 2,000 year history shows it does "seem possible to carry on the two vocations simultaneously." It is compatible! East and West prove that.
2.) Love is the essence of the priesthood, as Benedict said.
Mandated celibacy is not of the essence of the priesthood and came later in the 4th Century.
"To stand in God's presence and minister (serve) Him" [astare coram te et tibi ministare] is the essence of the priesthood.
3.) The Church has the authority to dispense from the canonical norm of mandated celibacy.
Nevertheless, maintain celibacy as the norm in the Latin rite (do not abolish it), but grant dispensations on a case-by-case basis.
Love (agape) and a radical pouring out of oneself in sacrifice (kenosis) for the sake of the Kingdom-- thank you, Benedict, for reminding us that married priests are capable and indeed accomplish this calling to love and kenosis in their person as did Christ who loved His Bride unto death.
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