Survey on Mandatory Celibacy, 2003-2004

Sacramento Diocese Comments from Priest Survey

#2. Yes 51-60 yrs.
This (question?) has no connection to the misconduct problem.
In view of the present quagmire caused by the lack of leadership in the Catholic Church, it may be time to consider time limits for bishops. Perhaps a bishop could serve for 10 years as ordinary and then move on to be a pastor or an emeritus. Same with other offices in the hierarchy. Try a survey.

#3. Yes over 70 member of religious order
I am a religious priest, so I never would have had the option of marrying, and thank God for that. Many, many times while hearing the confessions of people who were involved in terrible, horrible, frightful marriages, I would raise my arms and say, “Thank God for celibacy.”
In my life as a priest for half a century, I was so busy all the time I would never have had time for marriage. And had I married I believe the marriage would have ended in divorce. Besides, I can hardly believe that most priests’ marriages, (would) soon end up in divorce. (Can that mean that priesthood and marriage do not mix?)
I fully realize that all people are not like me. While visiting parishes in small villages out in the country I often met priests who were terribly lonely, unhappy and bored. I have OFTEN prayed that diocesan priests could marry. I do think that diocesan priests should have an option. After all, Jesus selected a married man to be the first pope. However, I would not like to see all diocesan priests married. The church badly needs priests who want to be full time priests who are willing to go here and there and not be tied to just one family.

#4. No 61-70 I am a traditionalist as to celibacy.

#5. Yes over 70 member of religious order
It’s clear from scripture that all the apostles were married. 1 Corinthians 9:3-5 where Paul says, “Do I not have the right to take a woman with me as Peter and the other disciples?” Tradition also backs up a married clergy up until the 9th century – including Bishops!
Apart from the above, who is “moi” to contradict what Christ allowed and approved? He chose the apostles.

#10. Yes 51-60
Don’t know what kind of open discussion and whether it is going to be just “hot air” and a waste of time!

#12. Yes 61-70
Bringing clergy in from other cultures is a travesty and will ultimately make matters worse!

#13. Yes 51-60
I would like to see retired priests be allowed to marry. The main reason for celibacy is so the priest can freely and generously serve God through his people. Once he retires those demands are radically diminished. To be able to live out the declining years with some companionship would enhance our human dignity. God himself said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.”
Religious order priests have their community to nourish them spiritually and socially but a diocesan priest does not have this kind of support. So marriage should be an option under these circumstances.

#15. No 41-50
If the church was a democracy, then an open discussion would make sense. But since its leaders are chosen by God – and since the present supreme leader has said the topic is not open for discussion right now, then I take that to be my position on the matter.

#18. No questions answered
I’m not familiar with your organization. What is meant by “putting any priest at risk for expressing an (opinion) or support?”

#19. Yes 61-70 Thank you!

#20. Yes 51-60 (“Do you favor and open discussion…?”) Absolutely!

#27. Yes 51-60
Is it possible to get a copy of the results? Thank you for doing this survey.

#34. No 41-50
Celibacy brings with it a tremendous spiritual fruitfulness precisely because the priest gives himself completely to his bride the church.
Celibacy is also God’s sign to the world that our ultimate destiny is union with God. Marriage is the instrument God uses for most people to find him, and the celibate reminds spouses of this reality.
I believe if we taught people the beauty of these realities many more would want to consecrate themselves as priests and religious.

#36. Yes 51-60 member of religious order
Perhaps the way to begin would be to permit local ordinaries to petition for a dispensation to allow specified married men to be ordained to the priesthood, with the understanding – of course – that a favorable response would be given by the Holy See. I have read, in several authoritative places, that this was the vision of Pope Paul VI.

#41. No over 70 retired (Written on the envelope) P.O. Box 1602 = DIABOLICAL

#42. Thank you for including me in your mailing. I did not receive a questionnaire with your letter. If there is one, please send it. Thank you for your work!
Changes I’d like to see in the Sacramento Diocese Catholic Church:
Diocese should be the example of how to show love and compassion to all. Simply, love one another.
Our priests should be allowed to marry, then there wouldn’t be a shortage of English speaking celebrants.
We should listen to the children in our parishes. See what their needs are for our church.
Stop all the holier-than-thou theatrics in sharing the Body and the Blood. Lay people should be able to help whenever possible, providing they have had the proper training.
Don’t overload priests in a huge parish. Give them gulp to shepherd their parishioners. Do not turn our backs to ENGLISH speaking priests. It seems all is offered to every other dialect. But the people cannot understand liturgy or anything else if we cannot understand what the celebrant is saying.
Our Diocese demands rather than asks. Why can’t they assess our financial situations before they demand that we pay for this or that? Each parish is different.

More flexibility on imposing church rules and regulations.
We should be more welcoming to all who inquire about our faith.
Our diocese should offer more help in all areas. It seems we pay them for services that are never offered. More lay education provided by whom?
Better pay scales and benefits programs.
Lose the image of “we can do things the way we want to no matter how we’re suppose to.” But then go overboard on issues that concern money, insurance, status or statistics. These are given to the parishes in a no choice option. Whatever makes us “look good in the eyes of the media.”
Educate adults in the faith in an adult way. Our adults need to speak to clergy of their experience and insights. Clergy need to listen.
Return to the serious work of implementing the teachings of Vatican II. This applies particularly to the sacraments.
Ordain married men (American priests who speak English)
Ordain women
Stop the constant harping on abortion and birth control. Let married people live their own decisions.
Smaller parishes – married priests
No more huge new churches
Stop appearing as the oracle of truth on a mountaintop. Come down and live with people as Our Lord did and does.

#52. Unsure 25-40
My opinion: I do not think that celibacy should be a problem… because those, who are unable to compromise themselves, will continue looking around for excuse in order to break their celibacy or their commitments.

#53. Yes 41-50
Justice also demands the ordination of women! Universal unity is both a burden and a blessing… We don’t all develop at the same pace. What a huge challenge is globalization…

#55. Unsure over 70 “sort of” retired
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for your survey. As for mandatory celibacy, I would hold – whether openly discussed or not – that the current way of putting the question is deeply flawed: “Should priests be allowed to marry?” My answer would be no.
But if one were to ask, “Should married men be allowed to be ordained priests?” I’d very readily say, “Yes!” ‘Nuff said.
(Sacramento Diocese-Priests’ Comments) p.5

#56. No questions answered
I do not support this herertical organizantion in an form, shape or means. Do the honorable thing and leave the Church (spelling left as written)

#58. (Name and address torn from envelope and sent back to us.) Please remove from list.

#59. Yes 25-40
Ordination of women to the priesthood is another matter that should be discussed. I think it is time to put into practice the fact that “men and women are fundamentally equal to each other.”