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PDF versionRatzinger, Rahner, et al. On Celibacy (1970)
by Dennis Coday on Jan. 30, 2012
Ratzinger, Rahner, et al. On Celibacy (1970)
A reader from Arizona sends in this note:
This is an interesting perspective of Joseph Ratzinger some 41 + years ago.
Someone who is now so opposed to optional celibacy was in favor of it at least discussing the subject over 41 years ago. I don't know whether or not you are aware of this article. It might make a good read in NCR. I certainly enjoyed knowing this information.
I always enjoy reading NCR. Keep up your outstanding reporting and articles.
Brilliant men, all of them,
Brilliant men, all of them, there isn't one amongst them who could not be considered at the top of their class....of course that was 42 years ago. I would wager my bets that Rahner, Kasper and Schnackenburg retained their belief that at the very least, "discussion" should take place regarding mandatory celibacy in the Latin Rite.....somehow Ratzinger changed his mind, why? Is the issue so volatile that it cannot be reviewed, so vulnerable that it could not tolerate discussion?
How about the answer that we
How about the answer that we have for celibacy in the priesthood is so obviously correct that it requires little discussion other than reiterating the claim.
Young impetuous pups usally grow into wise dogs. The spoiled sometimes fail to change and wisdom is accrued.
AMBITION, THAT'S WHY ......
AMBITION, THAT'S WHY ...... Thanks, Sparch, for the puzzling canine metaphor. Ratzinger changed his celibacy views, among other changes in major positions, to advance his clerical career. It is so obvious; it is puzzling why few say it. Then again, the lust for clerical advancement and the fear of clerical retribution seem enough to silence most Church insiders and related opportunists who see the obvious, yet remain silent-about this and much else that is wrong with our corrupt hierarchy.
The ruthless Roman sacking of the new US papal nuncio is just the latest example of how Ratzinger really behaves. While Ratzinger, Bertone, Sodano, Levada et al. have been busily working to line up curial cardinals' votes for the upcoming papal election, our new nuncio made the mistake of attempting to combat curial corruption--the last thing Ratzinger, et al. at this point want is an honest curial cop.
The one positive note is the US nuncio is fighting back. This suggests there may be some curial cardinals who support him. Might we dare to hope there are enough honest cardinals to steer the election to a pope who would return to the reforming path that over 2,500 bishops overwhelming approved at Vatican II, only to be thwarted for a half century now by a curial blockade of essential reforms?
Given that the Vatican is no longer subject to European monarchs' political pressure, there is no real obstacle to returning to the early Church's consensual style that worked well until Constantine suddenly commandeered the Church. The top down coercive and corrupt approach that Constantine introduced is sadly still with us. This coercive structure is contrary to the Gospels' consensual spirit, but tough to change obviously.
As I suggested, my wager is
As I suggested, my wager is on the three I mentioned as more than likely retaining their positions from 1970....I believe Archbishop Ratzinger changed his tune primarily because he saw that he needed to toe the company line if he wanted to get anywhere. Remember the Church doesn't not welcome too readily a divergent belief or opinion, see Copernicus, Galileo, Rahner, et al. If age guaranteed wisdom and intelligence our senior citizen centers would be stocked with geniuses.
Refresh my memory, please.
Refresh my memory, please. So,according to what is written in this article signed by Ratzinger, Why was the bishop from Australia 'retired' early? joe yankech
The simple truth is that many
The simple truth is that many men are quite liberal for a brief time as young men. Then inexsplicably they have a change of direction and turn very conservative. No one to date has been able to give any good account as to why this happens. There are some indications that chemical changes induce
changing patterns in the grey matter. In itself this is not any problem for
me. I do have a problem when it results in a total lack of charity and vengefulness. Bishop Ratzinger went on to gain his position in the Holy Office where he systematically siilenced the best voices of his generation.
I often wonde3r how he feels now standing closer to the threshold of eternity.
We are none of us perfect but we have every right to plead for our voices to be heard. This was never about orthodoxy or doctrine or dogma. It was merely
a question of a discipline in the Latin Rite as opposed to discipline in other
equally catholic rites where priests were normally married. If one wanted to
have a chance at becoming a bishop in those rites one chose to be celibate.
I was in the seminary when a fellow religious was about to be ordained. He
was already under canonical vows, yet, The Vatican intervened demanding to know when he would be married. Life can be stranger than words can tell. As
time went on he actually left the community and went back into his own Marionite Rite. The Ukrainian Catholic Church also in communion with Rome has
a married priesthood. All the suggested problems the piece refers to are still around in more urgent terms today. Perhaps the tide will turn as soon
as some of the major players pass on.
God Bless,
TomC
"Perhaps the tide will turn
"Perhaps the tide will turn as soon
as some of the major players pass on'
Right..
meanwhile me and mine disassociate from the hierarchy and work and worship with the struggling disadvantaged.
John Paul refused to even
John Paul refused to even discuss the issue. By refusing even discussion, he did not close the issue, merely drove it underground. By refusing to even consider minor tweaks, such as ordaining married Deacons, the Vatican created a Church that is rigid to the point of being brittle.
The current situation of denial of sacraments to large numbers of Catholics due to a shortage of Priests, is counter to the mission of the Church. The Vatican seems to think that the sacraments are a privlidge that they can withhold as they see fit, rather than as a right to Catholics.
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