THIS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING FILM ON CELIBACY WAS SUBMITTED ON A COMMENT RECENTLY. I THINK IT DESERVES A BLOG AND DISCUSSION OF ITS OWN.
There is no doubt about it than in this 21 st century celibacy should be OPTIONAL and not OBLIGATORY.
The alternative to it is:
1. Good priests leaving forgive and companion ship.
2. Less strong and principled priests leading double lives and living in moral compromise.
And after Rome has allowed so many former Anglicans to be ordained makes the celibacy rule a laughing stock.
A number of years ago I married a PP in his late 30s who left to marry.
He was replaced in the parish by a former Anglican with a wife and kids.
AND HOMOSEXUAL PRIESTS?
What do we do then about a priest who is a good priest and wants to stay but is in love with another man?
In most parishes the parishioners would have no problem with either a heterosexual or homosexual priest with a partner.
My own experience is that people have no problem with me being a partnered priest / bishop.
In fact my partner is regularly invited with me to attend wedding receptions.
It seems that only the episcopal homos suffering from internalised homophobia have a problem with partnered priests?
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 