As I wrote yesterday, I’m surprised at the intense interest my post two days ago on clerical celibacy has generated. If the subject had been women priests or homosexuality, it would not have been quite so unexpected.
As it is, I remain surprised. Because although I think the Roman Catholic Church would benefit from allowing priests to choose to marry if they wished, I do not think it would transform the world. Priests might be a little more mature, appreciate a little more fully the challenges of marriage and raising a family, be a little more humble. And more young people might consider the priesthood today. But if human frailty could be cured by marriage alone, the world would be in a much better state than it is. Married clergy are not unknown, and they do not stand out as unparalled paragons of virtue compared to celibate clergy.
If I were really to put my finger on it, I would say celibacy isn’t the root of the problem, but power. “Power corrupts,” said Toynbee, “and total power corrupts totally.” That’s not just true of religious institutions. It’s true of governments and companies and families and communities. Power is a horribly horribly dangerous thing to possess. Like radioactive waste, it eats away at almost everyone who touches it.
On the other hand, if we had women priests in the Roman Catholic Church…
No, I don’t think I’ll get into that today. Though for the record, I can’t for the life of me see what theological reason there is against it. And I do think it would be a good idea.
