RITE AND REASON: It is highly unlikely that all those who became priests and nuns have the "gift" of celibacy, writes Michael Commane
In the Catholic Ireland where I grew up, every sexual act outside marriage was considered a grave sin. For many, there was only one morality, and that was sexual morality. And the Irish Church hierarchy was the supreme authority in all matters dealing with sexuality.
A German Dominican friend of mine believes that the Church, in controlling people's sexual behaviour, was able to extend control over all classes of people. Sex is a common denominator that cuts across all categories of life, whether rich or poor. It is one of the great gifts of nature, open to all human beings.
Large numbers of young Irish men and women went off to be priests, brothers and nuns back in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Most of them were young, just out of school. Some orders and congregations had juniorates, which meant these young people set off on their vocations at the tender age of 13.
Celibacy was part of the package. Celibacy can be a magnificent gift which helps people in their ministry. But like all gifts, it can be argued that it is restricted to a small number of people. Can all those young Irish men and women who went off to be priests, nuns and brothers really have been graced with the "gift" of celibacy?
Who at such an age can make a lifelong commitment to celibacy? Sexuality is a powerful drive in all normal people and for anyone to say they will abstain from all sexual activity for the rest of their lives is something beyond most ordinary people. And anyway, what for?
Young seminarians and novices were told that it was an "eschatological sign" - a sign to the world that union with God transcends sexual behaviour, indeed transcends all ties to the mortal world. They were also told that there were ordinary practicalities too - it would be impossible for members of religious orders to live in community and have spouses.
In the case of diocesan priests, there was the question as to who would pay for his wife. It was also argued that being free of a woman gave the priest more freedom and time to look after the people of his parish. There is a validity in the argument of celibacy for members of religious orders, who live in religious communities. But as for diocesan priests, it can cogently be argued that there is no reason for their being celibate.
I don't believe for one minute that a priest's work is such that they would be unable to do it as well if they were married or had a family. There are of course priests who work hard, but from my experience, priests are not at the top when it comes to hard work.
What happens to a priest who is in his 40s, who has no training or skill for a job in the secular world? It can be tempting to stay and carry on. But imagine the damage than can be caused to a person who is languishing in a job for which he isn't suited.
A priest needs to be happy in himself, with his work and his life. I can't help but draw comparisons between the old communist system and the hierarchical Church. The party knew what was best for the people, and this small elite ran the show from top to bottom. It seems so often the same in the Catholic Church. Just as the Berlin Wall eventually came tumbling down, it is quite likely that when enough stones are thrown at the Vatican bureaucracy, there will eventually be one almighty collapse.
And just as the Berlin Wall fell because of a misunderstanding in an order which stretched from the top echelons to the border guards in Berlin, similar glitches could throw open walls and windows in Rome and throughout the Catholic Church.
In the meantime the bishops will meet, they will confer with the Papal Nuncio, but don't for a minute think that much will change within the Church. Bishops will continue to be appointed in the most secretive of ways.
It is important to remember that the Church at every level has extraordinary people working in its ranks. It has done and continues to do great good, and has the potential to do more.
Its principles and beliefs offer individuals and society tremendous challenges. The hierarchy is a tiny proportion of the Church, yet for far too long it has considered itself to be the Church - and, it must be remembered, the Irish laity has let them at it.
Father Michael Commane is a Dominican priest and a journalist with the Kerryman newspaper.