"Forced" Celibate Stress Disorder, and the Trauma of Our Aging Clerics

By Dr Joseph F Dietrich
The Catholica
May 21, 2013

http://www.catholica.com.au/gc2/occ3/119_occ3_230513.php

[full report - Vatican Information Service]

Introduction and summary...

Roman Catholic religious celibacy, when freely chosen, is the beautiful dedication of a mature person's whole life force to build a spiritual community of unmarried persons for the leadership and inspiration of the People of God.

However, this essay describes 'forced' celibacy in some men who follow celibacy only as a prerequisite for priesthood. 'Forced' celibacy can become for some individuals a way of life which contributes to a type of stress called 'critical incident stress'. The stress is critical because, for those who do not have the gift of celibacy, this life can overwhelm their typical ability to cope, contributing to atypical reactions of anger, fear, and sorrow; sometimes accompanied by sleeplessness, avoidance, and startle reactions; which can become acute (when these reactions last for more than a week); and even traumatic (where these reactions last for more than a month); where the person loses their sense of safety, experiences unusual intense emotional pain, and often, isolation. [c.f. American Psychiatric Association, 2000, Appendix I]

Dr Joe Dietrich is an former-cleric ordained 52 years ago and married 42 years ago to Sandra. Joe and Sandra are farmers with two children. He has spent 56 years as a counsellor, teacher, and alcohol-drug-addiction and trauma specialist. He lives in Wendover, Ontario. His full CV is available HERE.

In the case of 'forced' celibacy this has led to immaturity in relationships; to thinking that celibacy is protecting them; to rigidity in relationships; and hopelessness, assuming that celibacy cannot be changed. This condition can lead some to be so burdened by 'forced celibacy' that they seek their maturity outside of clerical celibacy, or criminally turn their sexual affection towards minors. Studies cited by Richard Sipe reveal that 'at any one time, as few as 50% of priests are actually celibate,' some have taken 'wives' and are having children by them. According to priests who have worked there, in some South American countries pastors are often not trusted unless they have a 'wife' and children.

This 'Forced' Celibate Stress Disorder (FCSD) can influence those around them who can 'take on' all the stressors involved. This is called Secondary FCSD; and it can contribute to stress in other priests, especially the hierarchy, who since the 12th century, have insisted that celibacy is necessary for priesthood, (even though many of the apostles were married), including the assertion that the Bible states that women cannot be priests, (even though in the early Church women regularly 'presided' at liturgical events); possibly contributing to injustice toward women in the Church, mirroring the 'glass ceiling' experienced by women in wider society.

The 'Forced' Celibacy necessary in the twelfth century for good social order, (partially to hinder bishops ordaining their male children to ensure the inheritance of their city states) has over-valued the lives of those who do not have sexual relations. Some hierarchy seem to use it as a means of control ... so much so that there are regular reports of 'covering up' priestly love affairs, and of bishops criminally 'covering up' the sexual abuse of minors by priests. We have the anomalous siuation where those priests who have wives/lovers may have become a prophetic witness to a mature loving life: they may be stepping outside the 'forced' rule is favour of mature spirituality.

In the attached paper 'Forced' Celibacy (FCSD) is described, along with the effects on youth of criminal abuse and criminal cover-up as reported from recent scholarly studies; along with a description of the secondary 'trauma' of all those who "know" of the cover-up of these acts, including laity, priests, bishops, and Vatican officials; all of whom, to varying degrees, seem to, at least implicitly, assert that this situation is somehow necessary to protect the priesthood; and even that this criminal cover-up is somehow part of the valid tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, despite the fact that world-wide, every instance of child abuse must be reported to legal authorities.

Suggestions to help resolve this confusing situation are given including the suggestion that Pope Francis* and other involved clerics, tap into the vast experience of married priests for mature counsel; and/or in certain cases, submit themselves to judgement at an International Court.