July 27, 2011 – Numbers 30

This made me think of the argument against the fact that Catholic priest take a vow of celibacy. People are so up in arms about this and feel it is such a burden, but here we see that it is a vow that has been around since the time of Moses. It doesn’t say that priest take this vow, just that when a man takes a vow of abstinence, it must be endured. Obviously abstinence can be from anything, not just sexual acts, but a vow of abstinence from those actions is something that can be taken. Catholic priest are not caught off guard by this vow, it is something they know full well when entering into that commitment. And just because it may be difficult does not make it wrong. And just because our culture at this time in history is so open to sexual freedom does not mean that a vow of celibacy is so old fashioned that it should be done away with.

I don’t know about this, but I wonder if the idea that priest be celibate is something that was brought up as a big complaint before now. I don’t know if people complained about this vow say in the year 500, 1000, or 1500. I would be interested to find that out.

Plus, we are all called to be celibate until marriage. This idea is so thrown under the rug that it’s no wonder people are shocked that priest must remain celibate after their vows.

This whole notion that we should change our tradition to make it easier on priest is pathetic logic. People should take more time and prayer to discover their vocation if they are worried about their choice. No priest has ever been forced to become a priest. They are given every opportunity to back out before taking their vows voluntarily. But after those vows, they are no more allowed to break them than I am allowed to break mine with my wife. I guess in a world that seems to accept divorce, adultery, and cohabitation so readily, taking vows and sticking to them is an odd notion.