Essay Discussing the Discontinuation of Celibacy Among Catholic Priests Due to Modernization

http://omeka.lib.fsu.edu/files/original/0cb76a3d7096dcc84cbf75282f477e9e.pdf

The essay describes the need to discontinue the implementation of celibacy among catholic priests due to the modernization experienced by society.

Savannah D. Schaler, Fall 2015

The implementation of celibacy among catholic priests has been a requirement that dates back to thousands of years ago. Although not all catholic branches follow this ideal, it is widely implemented across the world. However, due to the modernization being experienced in everyday society, I believe the implementation of celibacy among catholic priests should be discontinued. It should an option, not a requirement. Thus, this essay goes on to describe the countless reasons why celibacy does not parallel with modern society as well as why celibacy among catholic priests should not be required. The essay begins by discussing the growth in catholic churches worldwide and how this requires more men to take the oath of priesthood. Thus, by discontinuing the implementation of celibacy, the pool for well-qualified catholic priests would increase. This would also eliminate the topic of the catholic priest shortage. The essay then discusses the potential relatability between a priest and married members of his congregation. By allowing priests to marry, they could provide advice through experience on marriage and family. Also relating to family, many young men choose not to become priests because they have a longing desire to have a partner and start a family. This essay discusses these reasons in detail and portrays the need to end the implementation of celibacy. The essay also briefly touches on the idea that celibacy is an unnatural act for almost all men. It continues by also highlighting the idea of the pedophilic stereotype associated with most catholic priests and how the discontinuation of the implementation of celibacy could potentially eliminate this stereotype. Thus, the essay sums the reasons to discontinue the implementation of celibacy among catholic priests in order to keep up with a continually changing modern society.

Essay Discussing the Discontinuation of Celibacy Among Catholic Priests Due to Modernization