The Linacre Quarterly

Volume 35 | Number 2 Article 8

May 1968 Human Sexuality and the Celibate Members of the Family of God N.J.J. Van Greunsvan

Follow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq

Recommended Citation Van Greunsvan, N.J.J. (1968) "Human Sexuality and the Celibate Members of the Family of God," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 35 : No. 2 , Article 8. Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol35/iss2/8 Human Sexuality and the Celibate Mem rs of the Family of God Rev. N.J. J. Van Greunsven, M.A.

Ever since Vatican II, the question problem of family . planning lich of celibacy, i.e. the single life specified directly concern married C1 ·Jles by Canon Law for any man who within the Roman Catholic Chm . In wishes to be ordained a priest in the the majority of the discussions o oth Western Roman Catholic Church, has issues, one finds it difficult not get become an open discussion, a frank the impression that if "the Cf. ch" debate, and every so often an honest (by which is obviously meant 'the controversy. "The problem", as many persons in authority") would lax, prefer now to call it, of clerical broaden, or repeal her tradi )nal · celibacy and the discussion of it it:t teachings in both areas, "priest' and many quarters did not subside after marital lives could be lived 10re Pope Paul's Encyclical Letter on realistically and more humanly By Clerical Celibacy (June 24, 1967). implication, it often is suggeste that Despite urgings to the contrary, the the problems of celibacy and •,nily World Synod of Bishops which met in planning are uniquely Roman C; 1olic Rome during September, 1967, was problems and that, · conversf , a reluctant to place the "celibacy issue" married clergy and an unqu. J ied on the agenda. As far as the United option as to the methods of mily States is concerned, neither did planning for married couples ould discussions subside after the statement almost automatically make for [ ~ ater on Clerical Celibacy was issued by the personal and marital fulfillment It is National Conference of Catholic often further suggested, and ag· by Bishops (November 16, 1967). The implication, that married memt rs of entire problem could be easily the Protestant and Jewish \ergy resolved, according to some, if experience hardly any difficu · y in celibacy was made optional or if this integrating their ministry and m rried particular ecclesiastical discipline was life;. that Protestant and . ~ wish repealed all together. These suggested married ·couples lead a more solutions (maintaining this satisfactory married life becaus they ecclesiastical discipline must also be do not have to concern then -selves viewed as an additional solution) and with the moral dimensions of the their respective rationales appear to be various methods of family planning. base·d on the assumption that everyone Physicians, psychiatrists, and ' rriage is fully and completely aware as to counselors can attest to the fact that what the real problem is. If celibacy is one of the most frequently occurring viewed as "a problem", then the complaints, in the array of symptoms, clinical principle that a treatment plan is that of sexual maladjustment . They and a prognostic judgment are as good can also attest to the fact that · this as the diagnosis of the problem, is also complaint cuts across denominational, applicable here. occupational, and educational lines. As a priest-sociologist and marriage counselor, this writer has yet to see or (Father Van Greunsven is the Director, hear the problem of clerical celibacy Family Life Bureau and Marriage discussed in conjunction with the Counseling Service, Diocese of equally heated debates around the Lincoln, Nebraska.)

112 Linacre Quarterly Marital and celibate living are although we find priests from all types expressions of human sexuality. The . of cultures questioning clerical degree of comfort or discomfort with celibacy and proposing similar one's chosen state of life depends to solutions, it would be an error· in considerable extent upon the degree of · judgement to assume that they do so , ' comfort or discomfort with one's own for the same reason. A further ~·~ ·.. .. . sexuality. Consequently informal and illustration is the fact that bishops in · formal education in sexuality is some Western European Countries needed not only for men and women "manage" the celibacy question who are contemplating marriage, but differently than the American bishops. also for persons who have chosen the The difference in "management" has priestly, celibate life. very little to do with different loyalties to Catholic teaching. Rather, There is a growing awareness (1) the difference reflects the difference in that theological universality cultural; socio-psychological (Catholicity) must allow for backgrounds, atmosphere, and sociological plurality; (2) that ethical contexts. Were this not the case, then or moral guidelines in the area of programs in education in sexuality for human sexuality must go beyond its example would be identical the world physiological dimension; (3) that over. medical understanding of human sexuality must go beyond anatomical As to the Catholic moral guidelines and physiological considerations. At relating to human sexual behavior, the same time, this growing awareness sociological and psychological insights on the part of both the clerical and are certainly contributing to a deeper, medical professions also indicates an more comprehensive understanding of increasing convergence into the human sexuality and human love. The socio-psychological dimensions of "traditional" moral guideliries were human sexuality. predicated upon the "sacredness of sex" (spiritual) but then proceeded to As to the frrst awareness, suffice it regulate the physical aspects of human here to refer to an increasing ·role of sexuality almost exclusively. National Conferences of Catholic Bishops (and, in addition, a greater Such publications as Marriage, the number of Catholic State Conferences Family, and Human Sexuality in in the United States) in preference to Medical Education (Bowman Gray "Rome-based" decisions and policies School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, which, in the past, were to be No. Car., 1966) and the symposium in implements regardless of the countries book form Marriage . Counseling in and cultures of which the Catholic Medical Practice (Chapel Hill; Church is an integral part. Similarly, University of North Carolina, 1966) clerical celibacy is an universal have contributed to a deeper ecclesiastical discipline. But, if clerical . understanding of human sexuality and celibacy is an expression 'of human have gone beyond physical sexuality (or to be more precise, examinations and genital sexuality. masculinity and masculine identification), it also must be It can safely be stated that since sex remembered that attitudes and values is not something we have but rather relating to human sexuality are largely something we are, education in · culturally conditioned. Accordingly, sexuality is equally needed for both

May, 1968 113 the actual as well as . the potential seminaries. As a matter of fa it members of the Family of God who would seem that the functions md have or are about to choose celibacy structures of these institutions c: no (through Sacred Orders or the vow of longer be exclusively determine by Chastity) as their way of expressing theological considerations. their sexuality. · Reasonably mature perception of the sexual self is a The number of con tin ng, prerequisite to be able to adequately adult-education programs dealing 'ith express it in either marital or celibate marriage and family living are sexuality. Marital sexuality which is increasing by leaps and bounds fhe vie wed as "anything goes once area of marital sexuality an of married" is as inadequate as viewing assisting parents in developing in 1eir celibate sexuality simply as "not being children healthy sexuality is aot married". There has been much neglected. Similarly, there an discussion and some controversy about increasing need for conti .. ing the screening process of candidates for education for the celibate memb :. of the priesthood and the religious life. the Family of God. Pastoral Ser. u rs Similarly, the functions and structures for priests and Sister For ion of novitiates, minor and major programs are examples in poi1 . It seminaries are currently re-examined would seem that the · area of h nan and re-evaluated. To keep these sexuality, and particularly of ce1 acy discussions in their proper perspective, as an expression of human sext oi ty, they must be seen in the same light as deserves greater attention. P ~ s ts, the discussions dealing with nuns, and brothers suffer fror. the preparation for marriage. same Victorian "hang-up" in ~ x. ual matters as the married aduh A Couples, contemplating ~rriage, greater attention to cont; 1ing bring their attitudes, values, and education in sexuality is not )nly experiences about their own sexuality imperative as far as the pe. onal to Pre-Cana·programs. Similarly, young growth of priests, brothers, and r s is men and young women entering concerned but also for pastoral n >ons novitiates, minor and major for priests and because many nur and seminaries bring their respective brothers are grade and high t-: ~ool attitudes, values, and experiences of teachers. Seminars and work ops, their own sexuality along with them. staffed by members of the pert nent Ideally these institutions should be professions and augmented by orne engaged in a continuing program of excellent audio-visual aids, are re: listie education in sexuality. These means toward a dynamic ~ ,xual institutions are meant to develop understanding of self and o· hers. rather than protect a vocation to the Finally there is a need to de 1elop priesthood and the religious life. Since mate rials {both written and formal education in sexuality is an audio-visual materials) dealing with inter-disciplinary enterprise (involving celibacy specifically to complement theologians, physicians, and the materials, presented to priests, socio-psychologists), this same team nuns, and brothers, dealing with approach must be available to human sexuality in general and marital novitiates, and minor and major sexuality in particular.

114 Linacre Quarterly