Church leaders are confused on celibacy issue
Paradoxically, the veneration for the Blessed Virgin and her special role (and the spin-offs such as chivalry and courtesy) did much to set respect for women as one of the central objectives of so-called western civilisation.
That having been said, the fear of women among the managers and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church is so obvious (to everybody else but themselves) as to be embarrassing - and it explains in part their confused and frequently contradictory responses whenever clerical celibacy becomes an issue.
I would be grateful if somebody would explain to me:
1. Why does the Catholic Church recognise the Orthodox churches as ‘true’ churches when they operate a system in which clerical celibacy is ‘optional’. (An Orthodox young man can choose celibacy and become a monk - or join the secular or pastoral clergy where matrimony is all but compulsory.)
2. How a significant number of married priests - mainly former Anglican priests - are ministering (covertly?) in the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church in Ireland and Britain.
Maurice O’Connell
19 Forge Park
Oakpark
Tralee
Co Kerry
