Jojimar Kenneth M.

Gonowon
First Year Theology

August 18, 2008

Methods of Theological Research

Celibacy: its significance and Social Implication

An interview
Interviewees:
2 Students from the University of the Assumption
A vendor
Two seminarians
Two priests who have different view about celibacy regarding in their given context. The priest
1 has the fidelity to the priesthood and celibate life and the other priest already has a wife whose
celibacy was torn out.
1. What do you know about celibacy?
Some other said that celibacy is one of the vows in the presbyterial mission
Others said or wrote that celibacy makes a priest to be focused in the ministry as shepherd of
the flock
Celibacy makes the priest more competent in their mission.
Abstinence from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows.
The condition of being unmarried
The meaning of Celibacy among priests.
The deliberate abstinence from sexual activity, usually in connection with a religious role or
practice. It has existed in some form in most world religions. It may indicate a person's ritual
purity (sexual relations being viewed as polluting) or may be adopted to facilitate spiritual
advancement (as sexual activity would take place only within the bonds of matrimony,
marriage and family were seen as an entangling distraction). In shamanistic religions,
shamans are often celibate. In Hinduism, "holy men" (or women) who have left ordinary
secular life to seek final liberation are celibate. Buddhism began as a celibate order, though
many sects have since given up celibacy. Chinese taoism has monastics and independent
celibate adepts. Islam has no institutional celibacy, but individuals may embrace it for
personal spiritual advancement. Judaism has prescribed periods of abstinence, but long-term
celibacy has not played a large role. The early Christian church tended to regard celibacy as
superior to marriage. Since the 12th century it has been the rule for Roman Catholic clergy,
though clerical celibacy was never adopted by Protestantism.
2. Are you in favor of celibacy? YES or NO? Why?
Yes? A lot of respondents gave favor to celibacy because it is make priest more focused in
their task as a priest

NO? Although they are also men who have weaknesses and difficulties, in order not to
suppress their urge, the other respondents respect the priest limits and extents
3. Do you think celibacy is still relevant in our present times? Yes or No? Why?
Yes? Some said that it is still relevant because sabi nila, alam mo naman yung papasukin mo
alam mo naman na magpapari ka dapat makaya at matanggap mo na di ka mag aasawa. This
is the point of view of other respondents.
NO? Some said, celibacy is present way way back long time ago and it is not applicable in
our present times. Therefore some revisions and modifications must be considered in order
for the priest to be more competent in what he does.
4. What are the advantages of celibacy?
It enables a priest to become more focused in what he does
It enables for a priest to focus in the shepherding of his flock
It make a priest
5. What are the disadvantages of celibacy?
It disable a priest to have relationship with the opposite sex or the same sex
It makes a priest unfocused in his tasks as a pastor
It gives a priest an image of wreck and disrupted idea that they lose respect from
the people.
6. Have you heard about priest who lost their celibacy?
Yes! Or NOthing
7.What is/ are the effect(s) on you?
Scandalizing
Immoral
Unfair with the people
As a result of these the priests may possibly gain disrespect from their subordinates
7. What is/are their reason(s) why did they lose it?
They are men who have weaknesses and strengths that they cannot resist!
They are also men.
During their seminary days they already developed a relationship but they hid their
relationship with their formators..
8. What can you say about priests who were able to live their celibate life?
Some other people who responded are very happy and fulfilled because First of all they look
up to the priest as a living image of God and.
Some gave a response that Dapat lang kasi sila ang nagiging modelo sa ating
pananampalataya.
9. What can you say about priests who failed to live their celibate life?

Although we understand that priests have also their flaws and weaknesses, we should
understand and know their reasons as well and we must avoid the idea of putting them in a
pedestal that they are perfect like God.
Conclusion
Celibacy brings about the connectedness in the life of the priest as ministers of the church
I believe celibacy is of great value to the church and a great gift. But I also think the
availability of the Eucharist is an even greater gift. a Filipino Priest
Mandatory celibacy contravenes psychological development of individuals, our own
tradition (the Eastern church) and stifles the Holy Spirit. What are we afraid of? -- A
Kapampangan priest.
I am busy enough as a priest and have deep admiration for marriage and families. I
could not imagine having enough time to dedicate to wife and children as a priest. a
seminarian
Are Catholic people ready to support a pastor and his wife/children? A married
clergy may solve some problems but it would create others. Divorces can be nasty. a
student