Celibacy NOT Essential to Priesthood & St. Paphnutius, Defender of Married Clergy, at Council of Nicea (AD 325): Henry Karlson

As a primary source, this is one of the most illustrative explanations on the case for a restored noncontinent married priesthood in the Latin rite.

It is based on 2 Church historians, Socrates Scholasticus & Sozomen from the 4th Century, who describe a holy celibate monk named St. Paphnatius defending married clergy at most likely the Council of Nicea.  Synesius of Cyrene is also cited.

Source: Clerical Celibacy: Not Essential to Orders | Henry Karlson

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/henrykarlson/2020/01/clerical-celibacy-not-essential-to-orders/

(13 May 2020)

Excerpt:

What is important in this historical incident is the recognition that there were bishops, priests, and deacons, all who were married, and among them, there were those still having relations with their wives, having more children while in a position of ecclesial authority. And, although there were various jurisdictions in which disciplines emerged where ecclesiastical authorities were expected to put away their wives and no longer have relations with them, these disciplines were not universal.

“Why not?” on Married Priests: Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (2019) Amazon Synod Father

Source: https://novenanews.com/luxembourg-cardinal-hollerich-married-priests/ (9 May 2020)

Except: 

“If there [in the Amazon] viri probati are a solution, why not?”, said Hollerich.

...

“I love my celibacy, I stand by it, but I see that the married deacons can preach differently than I do, and that in itself is a wonderful addition”, the new cardinal said.

'old normal' = married priesthood / 'new normal' = mandatory celibate priesthood

"Mandated Celibacy" as "Gift" is a Novel 20th Century Theological Innovation, Lacking Strong Biblical & Apostolic Evidence?

My comment on https://virtueonline.org/only-half-catholic-priests-are-celibate-mike-mcmanus (9 May 2020) 

When Cardinal Sanchez headed the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, he was presented with the same data, and he seemed to agree with the 50% estimate. Also, theologically, where do we find the word "gift" attributed to mandatory celibacy? Our Lord didn't use those words when speaking of the eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom, and I dont think the Church Fathers spoke that way. Isn't that word more of a 20th Century development? Thank you.
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Added comments: Certainly, it didn't appear before 1129 and 1139 during Lateran I and Lateran II, respectively.  Those 2 dates are when the Latin rite decreed (universal) mandated celibacy.  Perhaps the Church Fathers didn't see it as ritual impurity to offer the sacrifice, and I am sure that the word "gift" has to have some basis in Apostolic Tradition.  Otherwise, it is a novelty.

Justin the Martyr and Tertullian wrote about virginity and continence but it wasn't "mandated celibacy." 

Mandated celibacy and mandated continence are a novelty without strong evidence before the LOCAL Elvira Synod of A.D. 305.

Cardinal Michael Czerny: Married Priests "Still on Table"

Source: https://youtu.be/Mj7bn7Nl_tU (12 March 2020)

"Pope Francis did not, as some journalists reported, 'close the door' on the possibility of ordaining married men. He left the door precisely as it was: ajar": Philip Lawler, Catholic Culture

Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/to-come/ (12 March 2020)

Excerpt:

Since the papal document is silent on the issue, the Final Document approved by the bishops appears as the last word on the subject. Pope Francis made a point to “officially present” that document in his apostolic exhortation, adding: “I would encourage everyone to read it in full.”

At a Vatican press conference introducing Querida Amazonia, Cardinal Michael Czerny underlined the importance of this papal gesture, saying that “this official presentation and encouragement confer on the Final Document a certain moral authority.” He conceded that the Final Document is not a magisterial document, yet he argued: “To ignore it would be a lack of obedience to the Holy Father’s legitimate authority.”

So then was the Pope, by his silence, giving his tacit approval to the Synod’s most controversial recommendation? Andrea Tornielli, who is the editorial director of the Vatican’s dicastery for Communications—and thus can presumably be trusted for an accurate reflection of the Pope’s intentions—wrote:

This topic has been discussed for a long time and may continue to be discussed in the future because, “perfect and perpetual continence” is “not demanded by the very nature of the priesthood”, as the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council stated.

In short, Pope Francis did not, as some journalists reported, “close the door” on the possibility of ordaining married men. He left the door precisely as it was: ajar.

Be Cautious With Reports From Catholic News Agencies: Reply to Traditionalist Site (Return to Tradition)

My comment written in reply to an analysis of Traditionalist site "Return to Tradition" of 2/4/2020 to exercise caution about reporting (source: https://youtu.be/dyRNr36laVY):

Dr. Stine, your analysis is the same as my own.  And I'm glad a traditional source like yours said it.  LSN seemed premature reporting the abolishing celibacy rumor, even if it was based on journalists who tend to be more reliable than not, and they should have acted as Voris did who verified his facts before going public about McC.  Having "several bishops" as the source or simply re-quoting the Synod document in the LSN article are not the same as actual post-synodal draft quotes which they did not publish.  There was no solid evidence other than rumor.  Also, even if the post-synodal document doesn't address married priests this month, as this second source is saying, I did want to comment here that it doesn't preclude Francis from addressing it another time (perhaps after Sarah's book comes out).  But like you said, let's wait and see.  Finally, for the record, I am not advocating abolishing celibacy, but rather we should maintain celibacy as the 'norm' in the Latin rite but grant canonical dispensations on a case by case basis.  This is what 20th Century Popes have done starting with Pope Pius XII who dispensed a married man to the Latin rite priesthood in 1952 before Vatican II. There were 5 more married priests that following that first dispensation in Germany. Francis wouldn't be doing anything different. There were no expectations for continence from them then, just as there are no expectations for mandated continence for the Ordinariate married priests now.  The Church has the authority to decree on such matters.  The Church taketh away but the Church also giveth.

"I guess we can all go back to 'normal'": Analogy from WALL-E movie to restore a married Latin rite priesthood

This clips from "WALL-E" (@3:15) best expresses the state of the Catholic media on Feb 12.

After realizing that the ship is not returning to Earth, the umpteenth captain of a ship that has been wandering around in space for over 700 years says, "So I guess we're going back to normal."  By 'normal,' the captain refers to life in space instead of returning to Earth.

What the captain doesn't realize is that humanity floating in space for 700 years isn't normal.  Living on Earth is normal for humanity.

Everyone on the ship has been there for 700 years that they've forgotten what normal is.

On Feb. 12, 2020, many thought we were going back to 'normal' just like the captain of the space ship.  By 'normal' is meant returning to mandated celibacy in the Latin rite.

Mandated celibacy was strictly in force from 1123-1952.  That is 829 years of what 99.9% of Roman Catholics think is normal.  They think the Church has always had celibate priests for 2,000 years.  Wrong.  

They think it is an innovation but really it is a restoration.  Most of the Latin Church's history had married priests.

But 1952?  Why didn't I say 2020?  Yes, in 1952, Pope Pius XII admitted married men to the Latin rite priesthood BEFORE Vatican II.  This was a break from the norm since 1123.  

Thus ended absolute mandatory celibacy in the Latin rite.  Paul VI followed with more dispensations, along with JP2 with the Pastoral Provision, and Benedict XVI with the Ordinariate.  All these Popes allowed married priests.

Francis didn't start -- or, rather end -- anything.  Pius XII did, and he did it with a dispensation from the current norm.

There is absolutely nothing prohibiting a married priesthood theologically, juridically, practically, or in any other sense and meaning, save the will of Christ.  The de facto existence of married priests in the 2,000 year history of the Church shows that.

The current norm is actually the new normal.  Celibate priests is the new normal.  The old normal was actually married priests.

That means that mandated celibacy is only 829 years young.

That also means that married priests have existed in the Latin rite for 1,121 years to date.  And this doesn't even include the East which has had married priests since the beginning of the Church.

Married priesthood is part of venerable apostolic tradition.  It is the old normal.

So yes let's go back to normal, as the captain said, and let's go back to the way it was.  Let's restore the old normal by allowing more 'dispensations' for married men to be ordained the the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

That is really what is normal.

Married Priest Fr. Joshua Witfield: "We Made It Work"

Married Priest Fr. Joshua Witfield

Source: https://youtu.be/SitSSO_Du2I (3 May 2020)

Twitter created: Twitter.com/marriedpriests

Twitter created:

www.Twitter.com/marriedpriests

@marriedpriests

Love is Essence of Priesthood of Jesus Christ, Not Mandated Celibacy: Reflections on Benedict's Contribution to "Depths" Book

Benedict XVI is profound with his contribution.  The most commented paragraphs will probably be the English translations on Pages 40-42. 

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.