In Theory:

We should not be surprised that this argument would again be presented. But, as I have in the past, I again argue against this modern “wisdom.” First, there is no proof that matrimony prevents cases of immorality, even among those ministering in other faith traditions. Nor is it celibacy that causes cases of immorality among Catholic priests.

As soon-to-be-blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, a former Anglican who became Roman Catholic, said more than a century ago: “It is not what the Catholic Church imposes, but what human nature prompts, which leads any portion of her ecclesiastics into sin.”

He says “human nature will break out” under any system. The solution instead is a life of personal discipline, fervent prayer and asceticism. This will help a man live a counter-cultural reality, a sign of what will be in heaven, where there is no marriage.

Fr. Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church

Costa Mesa

There is no such simple solution. All faith communities should adopt their own zero tolerance on molestation of children as the Episcopal Church and others have already done. Connecting “strict celibacy for priests” with pedophilia is dubious.

Inexorably tying the call to ordination with the call to celibacy is questionable theologically and historically; in my opinion, it limits leadership severely and unnecessarily. My own truth is that I believe I have one call from God to be a priest and another call from God to marriage and parenthood. I find the two calls to be mutually beneficial and not exclusive. I would reasonably anticipate scandalous and reprehensible behavior for which I am responsible to seriously jeopardize my calls to both family and church.

(The Very Rev’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

Clearly the Catholic Church would be better off by abandoning the requirement of strict celibacy for priests. That would help to reduce the occurrence of pedophilia (although not completely, since that apparently occurs occasionally in most populations), but it would also encourage other, more desirable, prospects to become priests.

And that, if you believe in the Catholic Church, would be a benefit. All of the recently publicized scandals in the church regarding such behavior can only cause serious harm to the reputation of the church and the Vatican, while even worse is the fact that church leaders have tried to keep such occurrences hidden by simply just transferring known offenders to new areas.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Until the conversion of Emperor Constantine, persecution of Christians made sure that people who became Christians really wanted to follow Jesus because their lives would be at stake.

After the Emperor’s conversion, the churches were flooded with people joining the new fad. Monastic life, and its call to celibacy, became the new self-persecution test for the truly committed. All branches of Christianity allowed (and continue to allow) both married and celibate priests, except the Roman (Western) church, which was dominated by the monastics and required all priests to be monks and thus celibate.

Over time, the priesthood became a separate class in society. The Protestant Reformation broke down that class barrier by reclaiming the priesthood of all believers taught in Scripture. Celibacy will always be an option, so eliminating the requirement won’t stop people from using the priesthood for their own purposes, but it would do wonders in empowering the people in the pew.

Ric Olsen

Lead Pastor

The Beacon OC

Is celibacy the center of the controversy or is it the mishandling of some of the cases and the path of the leadership?

Promiscuous behavior can be found in all institutions, religious or social, and is gender neutral. Misconduct in any faith community needs to be dealt with openly, rapidly and responsibly.

This problem has been, in the minds of many, more an attempt to conceal negative behavior in order to protect the reputation of the individual and the organization. We see this in the political and social arenas as well.

Generally this will only magnify the problem, resulting in public attitudes being sharply impacted. It is presumptuous for my faith community to recommend changes in the centuries-old traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Any changes will come from within the faith and by recognized authority. The time has come for us all to resolve to maintain and expect appropriate standards.

Tom Thorkelson

Director of Interfaith Relations, Orange County Council

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints