A rchive Date
[ 29-06-2000 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
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[Celibacy on trial
Marriage touted as cure for priest shortage
By DOUG BEAZLEY -- Staff Writer
June 28, 2000
Worried about plummeting priesthood numbers, one of the top voices in Edmonton's Roman Catholic hierarchy says it's time the Vatican started allowing priests to marry.
Father Mike McCaffrey, who steps down as the Edmonton archdiocese chancellor Aug. 15, said yesterday the priest shortage across North America could be cured in part by relaxing the church's celibacy rule.
"Celibacy is a factor in the problem," he said. "I've always said celibacy should be an option (for priests).
"I lot of my friends have left the priesthood to marry."
The stark figures tell the tale.
The archdiocese had 106 priests in 1990 and just 69 at the end of 1999. At the same time, Edmonton's Catholic population is growing - from 253,464 in 1990 to roughly 300,000 by a recent census.
McCaffrey, 65, is backed by several other Edmonton priests who say the celibacy rule discourages too many young men from entering the priesthood.
"It's certainly not going to happen in the lifetime of this pope. But I would hope it happens someday," said Father Martin Carroll, 57. He divides his time between two city churches due to the priest shortage.
"What's more important, celebrating the Eucharist or celebrating celibacy," asked Carroll. "Unless something changes, I don't know what this church is going to look like in 20 years' time."
Father Leo Floyd, ordained in 1958, stepped down as parish priest for St. Theresa's in Mill Woods in 1998 after a parishioner complained about an affair he'd had with an adult woman. He said he'd probably still be serving the parish if it weren't for the Vatican's celibacy rule.
"I think (the rule) will change," he said, adding he's returned to the celibate lifestyle in recent years. "The world has changed quite a bit since I was ordained."
"The celibacy rule is one reason why so many young people don't like the idea of joining the priesthood," said Father Frank Stempfle of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 11811 96 St.
"Probably a big reason."
As with everything else in the Church, on the question of celibacy the buck stops with Pope John Paul. A priest with the Vatican Embassy in Ottawa said the pontiff has been petitioned by bishops to relax the rule in the past.
"It is still church law," he said, asking not to be identified. "A future pope might change that law."
Father Sylvain Casavant hopes it doesn't happen. The 35-year-old priest is the archdiocese "vocations director," in charge of convincing more young Albertans to become priests.
"Look at other Christian denominations that don't require their clergy remain celibate. They're having the same (recruitment) troubles we are," he said.
"Celibacy is a strong symbol of the Kingdom of God."
Church forced to wrestle with dilemma.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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