Priesthood and Synodal Process

Contribution to the Synodal Process by a married Catholic Priest

Elephant in the Room-Clergy Sexual Abuse

 

As I entered Christ of the Desert Catholic Chapel a few Sundays ago, a woman who was deeply disturbed by the recent clergy sexual abuse scandal, cornered me.

 

 She asked me  “Why don’t they allow priests to marry?”  I would imagine that this question is on the minds of many who are struggling to understand this scandal. The implication is, that if celibacy were optional, incidents of sexual abuse would be greatly reduced.

 

Like her, many continue to be struck by the absence of a serious public discussion as to what extent did the requirement of mandatory celibacy contribute to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.  

 

Therefore, I would like to share my reflections on the need to restore optional celibacy for the Roman Catholic Priesthood in the Latin Rite.  I invite others to do the same keeping in mind that 39 Popes were married in the early centuries. 11 0f the 12 Apostles were married. There is reference in the bible to the mother-in-law of Peter, whom tradition says was the first Pope. In addition, optional celibacy has always existed in the Eastern Rites of the Roman Catholic Church. 

 

I am writing this as a retired married Roman Catholic Priest.  I am now 88 and deeply saddened and embarrassed by the recently reports of sexual abuse by some priests in Pennsylvania going back over 70 years. I had gone through the same emotions in 2002 when similar reports came out of the Archdiocese of Boston.

 

Let me start by stating that I attended two Catholic Seminaries over a period of 12 years. I began my journey to Ordination in 1944 at age 14 when I enrolled in the Junior Seminary of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

 

In the sixth grade I had read the book MEN OF MARYKNOLL by Father James Keller. This book painted a romantic picture of young American men who enrolled in the MARYKNOLL seminary to become missionaries in China and Africa. While reading the accounts of these brave heroic men, I first heard a calling to the priesthood. 

 

 At the time, I gave little or no thought to the requirement of mandatory celibacy. My goal was to become a Priest/Missionary.

 

On April 25, 1956 I was ordained by Cardinal McIntyre. 

 

For the next 15 years, my ministry took me to five large parishes in Southern California. During that time, I was very much a part of a Clerical culture that included the avoidance of scandal.  Even my mother was not allowed to ride in the front seat when we were out together.

 

In those days (1950-1970), the Church was not considered to be the police. We dealt with many cases of dads being accused of having sex with teen age step-daughters and parents accusing boy scout leaders in the parish of inappropriate sexual behavior with their sons. We worked toward healing and forgiveness in privacy while respecting confidentiality. 

 

However, I can honestly say that during that time, I was unaware of any cases of child sexual abuse by priests. It was true that I was aware of alcoholic addiction by some of my fellow clergy. So when a priest was removed from a parish and sent to a treatment center, it was assumed it was for treatment of his alcoholic addiction. I also need to say that I was very much in admiration of the many Bishops, Priests, Nuns and lay people who worked  tireless hours in serving the People of God and promoting Social Justice.

 

Starting in 1968, I became aware of another calling, that of adding love and marriage to my priesthood. I spent the next two years in discernment of this calling. It was a painful period for both my future wife and myself.

 

On October 10 of 1970, I answered a new calling and added love and marriage to my priesthood. On March 13, 1973 our first child was born, the first of five.  As a new parent I was overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility I had not experienced as a celibate priest. Keeping our children safe made me very aware of possible abuse they might experience from a teacher, coach, babysitter or other trusted adult.

 

I am not saying that allowing priests to be married (or for that matter, ordaining women to the priesthood) is the total answer to clergy sexual abuse crisis. However, I do think optional celibacy and the Ordination of women are steps in the right direction and Church authorities should welcome full dialogue from the laity, married and celibate priests.

 

Please share your thoughts on this most sensitive subject.

 

Father Charlie Ara, retired Catholic priest.  Palm Desert

 

He can be reached at  cara@sprintmail.com  or 760-341-4301