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BOOK
REVIEW
FREEING CELIBACY by Donald Cozzens,
Liturgical Press,
$15.95, 113 pp
Reviewed by John Ryan, Bloomington, IL
Fr. Don Cozzens, author of Faith that Dares to
Speak,
and The Changing Face of the Priesthood, has provided
believers of all stripes with a persuasive, compassionate,
theological, psychological, and historical set of arguments
for a serious review of mandated celibacy as a condition
of ordination in the Latin rite.
In nine compact, well-annotated, and readable chapters,
the author builds his argument from the starting point
of celibacy as a charism, as “a gift freely given
by God to a person or community, for the good and service
of others in bringing about the Reign of God.” He
states that “we are discussing here the mystery
of grace”, and that “gifts that are grounded
in the grace of God simply cannot be legislated.”
There is no intrinsic connection between celibacy
and priesthood, except for the fact that celibacy has
been a mandated condition for ordination to the priesthood
in the Latin rite since the twelfth century. Celibacy
as a charism is a gift freely given to very few who
are called to the priesthood, he points out. His treatment
of what the experience of mandated celibacy is for
priests who have not received the charism of celibacy,
which would be the majority of priests, reveals a panorama
ranging from out-and-out heroism to abject misery.
He writes: “Many, if not most priests, I have
come to think, are reluctant to claim the charism of
celibacy, even when they have led authentic celibate
lives that have deepened their humanity and enhanced
their preaching and pastoral ministry.” But for
the majority, it is an obligation that seems “to
cost not less than everything.”
The author makes the point, we reformers should note,
that the priest shortage is not an argument for optional
celibacy in the priesthood. The shortage of priests
is a factor that makes the need for optional celibacy
more urgent. But the genuine arguments for optional
celibacy are grounded in fundamental theological, psychological,
and historical truths.
Chapters treat celibacy as charism, as obligation,
exceptions to celibacy in other rites, and even in
the Latin rite, the “shadow” side of celibacy,
celibacy and homosexuality in the priesthood, celibacy
and power (the basis of clerical culture), and finally,
the need to free celibacy from the canonical mandate
as a condition for ordination.
In his final chapter, “Freeing Celibacy”,
he summarizes as follows: “Charismatic celibacy
will remain a great gift to the church. Mandated celibacy
awaits repeal.”
While this is a most readable book, it is not what
I would regard as an “easy” read. But it
is a “must read” for believers who remain
oblivious to the realities of what our priests experience,
especially in the aftermath of the sexual abuse scandal.
It is also a “must
read” for those of us who need to understand
the deeper theological, cultural and historical issues
in the church if we are to bring intelligence and compassion
to our efforts at reform.
Note: At the invitation of Svea Fraser, Fr. Don Cozzens
has accepted the role of Advisor to the VOTF National
Working Group for Goal Two.
Also, see National Catholic Reporter on the Pope’s
upcoming talk. John Allen reports:
"
The Holy Father has convened for Thursday, November
16, a meeting of the heads of offices of the Roman
Curia to examine the situation created following the
disobedience of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, and to
undertake a reflection on requests for dispensation
from celibacy as well as requests for readmission to
priestly ministry presented by married priests in the
course of the most recent years. Other topics are not
anticipated on the schedule."
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