AUSTRALIA
Catholica
by Dr Joseph F Dietrich
Introduction and summary…
Roman Catholic religious celibacy, when freely chosen, is the beautiful dedication of a mature person’s whole life force to build a spiritual community of unmarried persons for the leadership and inspiration of the People of God.
However, this essay describes ‘forced’ celibacy in some men who follow celibacy only as a prerequisite for priesthood. ‘Forced’ celibacy can become for some individuals a way of life which contributes to a type of stress called ‘critical incident stress’. The stress is critical because, for those who do not have the gift of celibacy, this life can overwhelm their typical ability to cope, contributing to atypical reactions of anger, fear, and sorrow; sometimes accompanied by sleeplessness, avoidance, and startle reactions; which can become acute (when these reactions last for more than a week); and even traumatic (where these reactions last for more than a month); where the person loses their sense of safety, experiences unusual intense emotional pain, and often, isolation. [c.f. American Psychiatric Association, 2000, Appendix I]
Dr Joe Dietrich is an former-cleric ordained 52 years ago and married 42 years ago to Sandra. Joe and Sandra are farmers with two children. He has spent 56 years as a counsellor, teacher, and alcohol-drug-addiction and trauma specialist. He lives in Wendover, Ontario. His full CV is available HERE.
In the case of ‘forced’ celibacy this has led to immaturity in relationships; to thinking that celibacy is protecting them; to rigidity in relationships; and hopelessness, assuming that celibacy cannot be changed. This condition can lead some to be so burdened by ‘forced celibacy’ that they seek their maturity outside of clerical celibacy, or criminally turn their sexual affection towards minors. Studies cited by Richard Sipe reveal that ‘at any one time, as few as 50% of priests are actually celibate,’ some have taken ‘wives’ and are having children by them. According to priests who have worked there, in some South American countries pastors are often not trusted unless they have a ‘wife’ and children.
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