The Painful Consequences of a False Doctrine

The Painful Consequences of a False Doctrine

The Roman Catholic Church is reeling from the revelation that some of her priests who are pedophiles have preyed on numerous young parishioners. The situation is greatly exacerbated by the church's policy of keeping such criminal behavior secret and simply transferring the predators to other parishes where the evil behavior was repeated. Settlements now exceeding $1 billion are reported in this country alone.

Our sympathy must go forth to those who have been victimized by those spiritual leaders they were taught to trust. We are sorry as well for the morally decent priests over whom a cloud of suspicion must now rest because of the wickedness of a few. Sympathy should also be extended to the members of that church for the shame and embarrassment they have endured because of the failure of their leaders.

As leaders of the world's largest denomination seek to find the root of the problem and work to keep it from recurring, perhaps they should take a long, hard look at their most cherished doctrine and practice of enforced celibacy of church leaders.

This ancient tradition is without Scriptural foundation, dating from the third century. When men and women feel constrained to live and work in an unnatural situation, the tempter finds it easier to lure them into illicit sins of the flesh. God, the Creator of mankind, says, "Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled..." (Hebrews 13:4). Thus Paul warned that seducing spirits... that speak lies (would) forbid to marry... (I Timothy 4:1-3)." It is true that marriage is not a prerequisite to serving God. Many single saints have served Him long and faithfully... including Jesus and his servant Paul, but for most people who desire to serve God; marriage is by far the better situation.

For many years some members of both clergy and laity in the Roman church have called in vain for revocation of the laws of celibacy. Perhaps the economic argument will gain a better hearing than has the moral one.

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