I was saddened to learn of the resignation this week of Gabino Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
This is not another sexual abuse case involving a priest. Like many, I am skeptical of the Catholic Church. It's a sketchy place. And yet, as a resident of Los Angeles, I benefit from the Church's moral and financial presence here -- a presence that lifts up entire sections of the city. This is particularly the case in Latino communities, which make up 65 percent of the 5 million Catholics living in Los Angeles. The strength of these communities is the strength of LA.
By all accounts, Gavino Zavala is not just one of the good guys, he's one of the very best guys. One who has served the tragically underserved Latino community of East LA for 35 years. One who has been an outspoken advocate for immigration rights. One who is largely responsible for widespread prison reform. One who has worked tirelessly to improve conditions for the working poor.
It turns out, like billions of people, he is also a parent. And because of this, he is no longer a priest.
Speaking for the Church, in response to Zavala's resignation, Archbishop Jose Gomez writes, "The archdiocese has reached out to the mother and children to provide spiritual care as well as funding to assist the children with college costs." What is considered standard procedure by corporations and small businesses in this country is regaled as benevolence by the Catholic Church. A condolence package for its dishonorably discharged. A kind gesture to its non-celibate, mortal sinners.
Of which over half of Catholic priests are.
According to A.W. Richard Sipe, a former Benedictine monk and retired psychotherapist who spent 25 years recording clerical sexual practices, "At any one time, no more than fifty percent of Catholic clergy professing celibacy are actually practicing sexual abstinence." A similar study by Father Victor Kotze puts the number at 45 percent. The Vatican does not dispute this. In 1993, when presented with these findings by the BBC, Cardinal Jose Sanchez stated, "I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of those figures."
The fact is, if all bishops and priests who are presently engaged in consensual sexual relations with adults were to resign, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church would be decimated.
Why, then, doesn't the Vatican simply change the rule? According to Sipe, it comes down to money:
It's in the financial interest of the Church to uphold celibacy doctrines because it doesn't take as much money to supply the life's care of a priest or a nun as it would with an entire family. So the Church controls the system through guilt. Sin is their bailiwick. It sets up the guilt and then the forgiveness. For example, the most common sexual practice among young priests is masturbation. The church teaches that this is a mortal sin, so priests are immediately caught in a cycle of guilt and confession and guilt and confession. Many also have sex, another clerical sin. And who has charge of forgiving these sins? The Church. Control a person's sexual practice, and you control the person.
"Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone." --John 8:7
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“ The bishop explained that on May 1, ‘International Worker’s Day,’ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles would instruct its parishes to ring their church bells at 5 p. m. ‘ as a symbol of solidarity’ with workers and immigrants.
“ ‘Bishop,’ I asked respectfully, ‘what do you say to those CathoÂlics troubled by your alliance with these left-leaning groups given their historic affection for abortion rights?’ “The bishop looked at me as if I had just peed on his shoes. ‘What are you talking about?’ he scoffed. ‘This isn’t about left or right. This is about justice.’ “ ‘Bishop,’ I smiled, ‘May 1st? InÂternational Worker’s Day?’ “A few months later the unions repaid the Catholic Church for its support. The Los Angeles Times
summarized the issue succinctly enough: “ ‘ California’s leading union orÂganization, bucking organized laÂbor’s longstanding neutrality on the issue of abortion, is for the first time taking a strong stand in favor of abortion rights.’ “ Specifically, the union asked its 2.1 million members to reject Proposition 85. This initiative would merely have required aborÂtionists to honor the standards of ear- piercers and aspirin dispensers and get parents’ permission before going to work on their daughters.
Worship/communion with G-D is actually the basic human necessity (Luke 10:42) and greatest source of peace and joy that humans can know. The only true and eternal Peace and Joy.
You can't have every other human emotion available to counsel constituents and quash this one .. It has proven only a hindrance to these young men and btw, empty seminaries speak volumes...
Catholics should besiege the church on this issue as should priests everywhere. This nutty law has ruined the church on so many levels.
A priest having a relationship with someone outside the church should be okay, but then they'd have different problems, like why is a Catholic priest with someone who's not Catholic. Just can't win.
The "sin," the transgression is not the sex per se, it's the breaking a promise never to have sex. That's a crazy promise to make. It's no wonder so few keep it. Being sexual is healthy; being celibate is aberrant.
Before the appearance of Paul, Christianity was a modified version of Judaism. Paul changed that by concentrating on Gentiles, not lapsed Jews, as Jesus had done.
All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord," they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.
In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry. (pars 1579-80)
I also think the blogger has misinterpreted the studies findings. A sin against a vow of celibacy can be anything from watching porn to masturbation to an actual sexual relationship with an adult. It doesn't mean that 50% of all Catholic priests are having sex.
Believe it or not the priesthood is a vocation from God, not just another job like a lawyer or a electrician. Men who are called to be priests give up a lot in order to serve the flock better, including a loving family.
In all seriousness, the medieval popes so denounced in your highly credible and researched link have all their reigns modeled after a 12th century monarchy. The papacy owned land, levied taxes, and raised armies. If you look at it through the lens of a monarchy and not as a gentle shepherd of souls, you'll begin to understand why so many horrible things have been committed by the papacy.
By the way, I really hope you don't think that link is credible.
Better?
Absolutely amazing.