Clerical celibacy : the heritage
"The recent sex abuse scandals in the Catholic Church raised new questions about the abilities of a celibate priesthood to deal realistically with matters of sexuality. Critics and journalists who have examined these scandals have called for an end to mandatory celibacy for priests." "In this overview, Phipps points out that "mandatory celibacy is relatively new-fangled, having appeared during the last half of the church's existence. The innovation was imposed in the feudal and crusading era, a dark period for the Church."" "In order to provide this survey, Phipps probes ancient religious texts and church history and uses studies that provide factual assessments of the general individual and cultural consequences of celibacy. He avoids anecdotal evidence about celibacy and offers a balanced exploration by allowing celibate advocates and church representatives to speak in their own voices about these matters."--Jacket
x, 272 pages ; 24 cm
9780826416179, 0826416179
54501587
Introduction: my approach : defining terms
The pre-Christian era : Jewish culture, pagan cultures
A celibate Jesus? : arguments pro and con : His sexual orientation
The apostolic era : Paul's letters and other New Testament writings
The patristic era : movement toward sexual abstinence : monasticism and Jerome :
Augustine's anti-sex theology
The medieval era : Roman-Byzantine schism over clerical marriage : papal attempts to put asunder espoused clerics
From Luther to Paul VI : the anti-celibate Protestants, the counter-Reformation
Vatican II and aftermath
The contemporary era : John Paul II's intransigence : diocese problems, abusive prelates
Conclusion: the heritage in summary : on imitating Jesus : moving toward recovery