Nature Tells US Celibacy Is Not Natural, the Catholic Church Should Listen

By Tom Elliott
Herald Sun
August 30, 2014

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/nature-tells-us-celibacy-is-not-natural-the-catholic-church-should-listen/story-fni0ffsx-1227041710323

Archbishop Denis Hart leaves the County Court in Melbourne after giving evidence at the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

THE ongoing Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse has already shone some welcome light into a variety of dark places.

One such place is the Catholic Church’s requirement for its priests to remain celibate. Physical intimacy with a significant other is a normal and fundamental part of human existence. It can’t be a good idea for priests to repress that urge.

When asked about this a few days ago, the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, described celibacy as “fulfilling” and a “wonderful vocation”. He also refused to accept a sexual life was necessary for all people. On which planet is the Archbishop living?

In the animal kingdom, the desire to procreate and ensure one’s genes continue is a powerful innate force. Male lions fight each other, sometimes to the death, for access to females. Adult elephants will form a protective ring around a sickly youngster to keep predators at bay.

The human world is really not very different. Middle-aged men buy expensive sports cars, dye their hair and bleach their teeth in an effort to impress women.

And on a more serious note, adults of either gender will go to extraordinary lengths to protect and nurture their children.

So why should we listen to a group of men who deny themselves this important facet of humanity?

I’m not saying celibacy necessarily leads to child sexual abuse, although that dark undercurrent of thought is undoubtedly present at the royal commission. But I do find it odd that when a couple decide to get married in the Catholic Church, they’re forced to undergo several sessions of counselling by their local priest.

In most professions experience is highly regarded as a guide to the quality of advice on offer. It’s unclear, then, exactly what words of wisdom on marriage, sex and the birth of children a celibate priest might impart.

Most other branches of Christianity have no problem with married religious leaders. And in the Jewish faith prospective rabbis are expected to have several children before being admitted to the calling. Catholicism actually permits married Anglican preachers who rediscover Rome’s embrace to retain their wives.

There’s no good reason to prevent Catholic priests being happy in the institution of marriage. Or unhappy, as the case may be …