Priestly Celibacy Today

includes index and biblioraphy

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 32 Celibacy in the Latin Church 3 5 Council of Carthage 36 Decretals of Pope Siricius 37 Patristic evidence 39 Sixth-century legislation 41 Attempts at reform in the West from the seventh to the tenth centuries 42 The Gregorian reform 44 Developments leading up to the Council of Trent 47 Response to the Reformers 49 Council of Trent 50 From Trent to the present 54 Oriental Church legislation 55 Imperial laws 57 Council of Trullo (691) 58 Consequences of Trullo for Western canon law 64 The compulsory marriage of priests 65 Consequences of Trullo for the theology of priesthood 67 Temporary continence and the introduction of celibacy 68 SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS JO Old Testament attitudes 72 Jeremiah`s celibacy 74 Virginity a misfortune 75 The nuptial mystery 75 Friend of the Bridegroom 76 Christ preaches on celibacy 77 Celibacy a turning point in salvation history 79 Christ calls to celibacy 80 Celibacy and self-giving 81 Pauline teaching 82 Priesthood, celibacy and service 84 Levitical priesthood and continence 85 Cultic argument for celibacy 86 Marriage, continence and cult 87 Man of one wife: unius uxoris vir 89 A woman companion 92 Covenant and Scripture 93 Marriage as covenant 94 Covenantal dimension of celibacy 95 THEOLOGY OF CELIBACY Christological significance Ecclesial considerations Spousal love Mary and Joseph Spiritual paternity Eschatological and salvific meaning Celibacy and marriage Celibacy, freedom and faith Celibacy and holiness Theology of relationships with women ANTHROPOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS Development of a Christian anthropology The nuptial meaning of the body Old Testament teaching on chastity Consequences of the Fall Adultery of the heart Chastity in the teaching of the New Testament Chastity and the call to holiness Modesty and chastity Marriage and earthly life Marriage in Ephesians Old Testament references for Pauline analogy FORMATION FOR CELIBACY Formation in chastity Christian philosophy of sex education Call to holiness Supportive virtues John Paul II and response to youth about chastity Formation of seminarians in celibacy Presuppositions for training in celibacy Formation in human maturity Affective maturity Training in asceticism Perseverance in vocation Celibacy ¿ formation in freedom Freedom and conversion Freedom and adoration Mary and freedom CELIBACY A WAY TO HOLINESS Vocation to sanctity Ascetical formation for celibacy Prayer life Preservation of chastity Celibacy and devotion to our Lady Spiritual guidance Objective self-knowledge Priestly fraternity Guard of heart Practical considerations Pastoral relationship Celibacy and marriage ¿ mutual relationship The Cross in the life of the priest Mortification Purity of Christ OBJECTIONS TO CELIBACY Celibacy not a datum of Revelation Rights of the individual Shortage of priests North American experience Increase in vocations Different caste Celibacy as isolation Affective needs Priest and people Celibacy the price of priesthood Personal responsibility Lack of formation Formation in fidelity Frustrations Media presentation of celibacy Celibacy and anthropology WITNESSES AND TESTIMONIES TO CELIBACY Newman and celibacy Bishop Alvaro del Portillo Mother Teresa of Calcutta Disadvantages of a married clergy Under the Chinese Communists The lost Christians of Nagasaki Love for Christ John Paul II on celibacy Celibacy the price of priesthood Personal responsibility Lack of formation Formation in fidelity Frustrations Media presentation of celibacy Celibacy and anthropology WITNESSES AND TESTIMONIES TO CELIBACY Newman and celibacy Bishop Alvaro del Portillo Mother Teresa of Calcutta Disadvantages of a married clergy Under the Chinese Communists The lost Christians of Nagasaki Love for Christ John Paul II on celibacy