Church must be realistic about the priesthood

The Catholic

In relation to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh’s On Mission for the Church Alive initiative:

Bishop David Zubik is attempting to alleviate the problem of lack of vocations to the priesthood by ordaining permanent deacons. Permanent deacons are permitted to be married, with families, and not be celibate. However, they are not on track for eventual ordination to the priesthood.

I believe this program has been very successful by helping pastors in parish administration and also with some sacraments, such as baptism and marriage.

Another tidbit about permanent deacons: Although the deacon is permitted to be married, if his spouse happens to die, he is not permitted to remarry. Why? If he has been married, why not again?

Few priests are being ordained each year. Last year, I believe only five were ordained in the diocese. That’s not going to do it! It’s unrealistic for a bright, vigorous and vibrant young man to remain celibate and be without family for the rest of his life. That was yesterday, and yesterday is gone. I know, I know. His “flock” becomes his family. C’mon, let’s get real!

The Catholic Church is hung up on this celibacy issue. The Council of Trent in the 16th century issued the ruling that priests are to remain celibate in order to devote full time to their “flocks” and not be burdened by personal family responsibilities. So, you see, the church has not fully evolved from the Middle Ages.

Pope Francis should appoint a commission or call forth a synod to resolve this problem. Priestly celibacy is not part of church dogma. Therefore, it can be dispensed with at any time. It’s simply a matter of discipline. If this ruling were relaxed, the church would be awash with vocations. We have been praying constantly for vocations to the priesthood, but where are they and where is the Holy Spirit? Aren’t the popes listening? And what about women? I could live with their ordination, but it won’t happen in my lifetime or ever.

In closing, I will say that I have been a devout Roman Catholic since 1950 and will never change. I still love the church in spite of its perceived “warts.” I certainly am not going to run off and start my own church, like the Reformers did in the 16th century. Change must be made from within. When I became a Catholic, I didn’t give up my intellectual freedom of conscience, thought or free will, and the church acknowledges that. These were God given! TOM LAPSLEY

West Mifflin