The Priest as Man, Husband, and Father | Fr. John Cihak, S.T.D. | March 26, 2007
Crisis and Renewal in the Priesthood Today
The crisis in the Church in
the United States, brought on by the discovery of sexual abuse perpetrated by
members of the clergy, indicates the need for clergy reform and renewal. The
need for the renewal of the clergy, as for all Christians, is perennial and
certain periods of the Church's history have been more intense than others in
this regard. Around the year 1000 it was the reform of Pope St. Gregory VII,
especially in the area of celibacy among clergy. In the late 1500s, it was the
reform spearheaded by the Council of Trent and by St. Charles Borromeo who
established the seminary system for the formation of priests. Some have
proposed that the current crisis can be solved by having women priests, married
priests or part time priests.
The Church proposes another
way. The clergy will be renewed in this age, as in previous ages, only through
a re-appropriation of the very essence of priesthood.
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Should say St. Charles Borromeo -one of my favs and
the mission at Carmel is named for him -
I have the mission bell replica on my desk.
Posted by: padraighh | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Indeed it should, thanks!
Posted by: Carl Olson | Monday, March 26, 2007 at 01:06 PM
This is an excellent article that should be read and re-read by every priest, especially those who have issues referring to God as Father.
Posted by: Deacon Harold | Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:05 PM