Roman Catholic religious celibacy is not about sex. Nor is marriage, primarily. Genital sexual decisions are part of each, but there's much more to both.
In a marriage between one man and one woman, genital sexual activity is legitimate and blessed, but not in separation from much more. It's meant for bonding the couple, deepening their love, assuring the love and care for any children conceived, and rightly raising those children to responsible adulthood. Thus it follows that the couple's coital action shouldn't only be physically satisfying. It cannot be unless it's simultaneously emotionally and spiritually satisfying. There must be wholeness worthy of their being human beings and not just another species of mammals.
In order to bring this about and to sustain it over years, the couple must make a commitment to give themselves totally to each other. The breadwinner works and brings home the paycheck to benefit the whole family. The cook/housekeeper makes the home pleasant for the whole family.
Jesus, in the book of Matthew, gave us the standard for celibacy. He stated that it is taken "for the sake of the kingdom." He invited the rich young man to "go and sell all that you have and give to the poor and come follow me." More important than that is to give one's self even more totally as in vowing to be celibate "for the sake of the kingdom."
As in marriage, the subject isn't sex; it's service -- it's committing one's life to serving the good of others for the glory of God.
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Spouses who have forgotten or reject this, as well as priests who have centered their understanding on sex alone, have gotten themselves, the church, their families and friends, and many others into deep trouble -- while making millions for salivating media and greedy lawyers.
FATHER RICHARD PARTIKA
DULUTH
