Pope On Return Flight From Japan And Thailand / Copyright: ZENIT’s Deborah Castellano Lubov
‘I’d Rather Give My Life than Change the Law on Celibacy,’ Pope Francis Citing Paul VI
Vatican Restates Pope Francis’ View Against Optional Celibacy In Response to Benedict XVI & Cardinal Sarah’s New Book on Priestly Celibacy
‘I would rather give my life than change the law on celibacy.’ Pope Francis, in citing St. Pope Paul VI’s famous words, has expressed clearly where he stands…
The Vatican gave this reminder of the Pope’s words on the return flight from his Apostolic Trip to Panama for the occasion of World Youth Day, in the statement issued today, Jan. 13, by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, in response to the new book by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on priestly celibacy.
The release of “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” published originally in French by Fayard and in English by Ignatius Press, is already available for preorder in English, and ships on Feb. 20. It will be published in French on January 15th.
In the book, Benedict says it is a “contribution” in filial obedience to Francis, and recognizes how Francis, as a rule, has reaffirmed celibacy.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office’s statement in response to the book follows:
Answering questions from journalists, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, stated the following:
The position of the Holy Father on celibacy is known. In the course of his conversation with journalists on his return from Panama, Pope Francis said: “A phrase from Saint Paul VI comes to mind: ‘I prefer to give my life before changing the law of celibacy’”. And he added: “Personally I think celibacy is a gift for the Church. I don’t agree to allow optional celibacy, no. Only a few possibilities would remain in the most remote locations – I think of the Pacific Islands … […] when there is pastoral need, there, the pastor must think of the faithful “.
Regarding the way in which this topic fits into the more general work of the recent Synod on the Pan-Amazon region and its evangelization, during the final session the Holy Father said: “I was very pleased that we did not fall prisoners of these selective groups who of the Synod want to see only what has been decided on this or that other intra-ecclesiastical point, and deny the body of the Synod which are the diagnoses we have made in the four dimensions. “(Pastoral, cultural, social and ecological) .
As many media try to illustrate a difference between Francis and Benedict on the matter, the Vatican reminds how Francis has said that priestly celibacy is not optional.
Moreover, in the light of the upcoming Apostolic Exhortation following the Synod on the Amazon, expected perhaps as early as next month, the Vatican reiterated how the Synod–according to the Pope–is not to be reduced to one or two issues, but in the four aforementioned dimensions.
Read the source: https://zenit.org/articles/id-rather-give-my-life-than-change-the-law-on-celibacy-pope-francis-citing-paul-vi/
From The Depths Of Our Hearts — Via Ignatius Press
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI & Cardinal Sarah Write Book on Priestly Celibacy
Theologians Co-Author ‘From the Depths of Our Hearts’, Published Soon in English by Ignatius Press
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, have co-authored a book on priestly celibacy.
The release of “From the Depths of Our Hearts,” will be published on Jan. 15 by Fayard in French. Being published in English by Ignatius Press, the book is already available for pre-order, and ships on Feb. 20.
According to a press release from Ignatius, the book takes a serious look at the crisis in the Catholic Church and focuses on the problems with priestly ministry.
“The priesthood is going through a dark time,” writes Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, along with his co-author, Cardinal Robert Sarah. “Wounded by the revelation of so many scandals, disconcerted by the constant questioning of their consecrated celibacy, many priests are tempted by the thought of giving up and abandoning everything.”
Responding to calls for adjusting the nature of the priesthood, including by some during the recent regional Synod on the Amazon, held in the Vatican during October of 2019, the two theologians explain the biblical and spiritual role of the priesthood, celibacy and genuine priestly ministry.
Drawing on Vatican II, they present priestly celibacy as more than “a mere precept of ecclesiastical law.” Renewal of the Church, they stress, requires a renewed understanding of priestly vocation as sharing in Jesus’ priestly identity as Bridegroom of the Church.
According to the release, they affirm that optional celibacy for priests is not actually optional for an authentic priesthood.
Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah give their brother priests and the entire Church a message of hope, as they address the spiritual challenges faced by priests today, including struggles of celibacy.
A deeper conversion to Jesus Christ, they say, is the key to faithful and fruitful priestly ministry and church reform.
This book is intended not just for clergy and laity, but also to work toward renewing and restoring a hurting Church.
“Their book,” Father Joseph Fessio says, “is not just about priestly celibacy, important as that is in itself.” “It is about,” continues the founder and editor of Ignatius Press, “as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI describes it in his first paragraph: ‘the lasting crisis that the priesthood has been going through for many years.’”
“But it is about more than that; it is about the nature of the Church and of Christian discipleship. This is a book that all should read. It is powerful and personal — from the depths of their hearts,” he concludes.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI & Cardinal Sarah Write Book on Priestly Celibacy
Benedict XVI contributes to book on celibacy, as Pope Francis studies exceptions to this norm
Jan 13,2020
In a few days, Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah will publish a short book in defense of the celibacy. It will be available in French and English.
The text was made public as Pope Francis is simultaneously reflecting on the proposal to allow the ordination of married permanent deacons to the priesthood in specific cases, only in the Amazon. The proposal was supported by 72 percent of participants in the last synod.
The book is titled “From the Depths of Our Hearts.” Benedict XVI and Card. Sarah wrote the prologue and conclusion together. In addition, they each contributed an article on the issue.
Benedict says given that the conjugal state affects all of man, and that the service of the Lord requires also a complete giving of man, “it does not seem possible to realize both vocations simultaneously.”
Some are surprised Benedict has published a book on this issue. According to the pope emeritus’ secretary, he is in no condition to give speeches on complex topics, despite being coherent.
The publishers say the authors present themselves as two bishops in filial obedience to Pope Francis. They say they are in search of the truth in a spirit of love for the unity of the Church, and not for an ideology that divides.
They do not criticize Pope Francis, as he has not yet spoken on the issue. However, the pope would be in a difficult position if he were to exempt some clergy in the Amazon from the rule of celibacy.
Until now, this is all Pope Francis has said.
POPE FRANCIS
Jan. 27, 2019
“A phrase by St. Paul VI comes to mind: ‘I prefer to give my life before changing the law on celibacy.’ There would be some possibility (to change it) only for remote places, like the Pacific Islands. It is something that must be considered when there is a pastoral need. The pastor must think of his faithful ones.”
Pope Francis plans on publishing a document in the coming months on the proposals made during the synod. His decision on celibacy will probably be made known then.
JMB/CT
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The ministerial orders of the The Roman Catholic Church are those of bishop, presbyter (more commonly called priest in English), and deacon. The ordained priesthood and the common priesthood (or priesthood of all the baptized faithful) are different in function and essence.[1][2] The Catholic Church teaches that when a man participates in priesthood, he participates in the priesthood of Christ Himself. All men who, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, have become priests participate in Christ’s priesthood; they act in persona Christi Capitis, in the person of Christ, the Head of His Body, the Church.[3]