Would being married and having children change things?

[MineralMan]

Thinking about that old, probably somewhat senile, priest who was blaming the children for seducing poor priests into having sex with them, I wondered this.

The celibacy of priests (theoretical, it seems) prevents them from having children of their own (at least acknowledged ones). The long history of this means that virtually nobody in the church hierarchy for centuries has been a father (in the biological sense).

Now, a typical father, when presented with that failed argument about children seducing adults, would say, "Bullshit!" They can easily picture their own child being molested by some man, and that idea is thoroughly abhorrent.

But, Priests aren't fathers. Their bosses, including the Pope, himself, aren't fathers. They don't have the experience of being the parent of a young child, nor do they know the particular connection between parents and children firsthand.

Children are, apparently, sinful little creatures, too young to be confirmed as Catholics, and are thus suspect. Is Satan causing them to seduce those adult priests? Now, that's a stupid, stupid idea, but it seems to be what that old priest was saying.

Perhaps priestly celibacy produces an odd way of looking at children, who are always the children of someone else, and a somewhat unknown quantity. It all makes me wonder about a celibate priesthood.

[Goblinmonger]

1. Interesting, but no.

He's a sick fuck. He'd be a sick fuck if he were a priest or not. The job is attractive for pedophiles for the same reason soccer coach is.

I know many priests. Every one that I know would say "Bullshit" to what this guy says.

[Drale]

2. The original reason the church forced priests to be celibate

was so that priests would not try and pass church land on to their children. In the middle ages the only real measure of wealth was land, and everyone wanted to pass their land on to their children, but because priests did not own their own lands, in order to do that they would have to "steal" church lands and the church then is the same as it is now, they will never give up something they own without a war being fought. With the pass on of lands no longer being an issue, its just its completely backwardness that keeps the church from allowing priests to marry.

[dmallind]

3. I suppose it's possible, but unlikely to make much of a difference

It's not like you need biological bonds to children to see the lunacy in that thought, and it's not like most priests/brothers are completely isolated from children (unfortunately, in way too many cases). I suppose this would be valid for an only child from an isolated village who entered a seclusion monastery as a very young man and never left, but for any priests in pastoral or even worldly postings it's an understanding that should be pretty damned obvious regardless of family ties.

Now yes this laughable, outdated and decidedly unscriptural and Macchiavelian (pre-Macchiavelli even!) "oath" of celibacy is indeed likely to have deviant effects, and even some that may increase the risk of child abuse. But does it help create the genuine feeling that pederasty is not the adult's choice and fault? No I can't see that really.

FWIW he has apologized, and seemingly sincerely, but the idea that the thought was there to be even poorly expressed has shot his credibility.

[skepticscott]

4. Well, his "apology" is more a matter

of regret for being stupid enough to say out loud what he sincerely thought, and that only after, in all likelihood, he was told by superiors that he needed to appear contrite. Whatever cognitive infirmities he allegedly is afflicted with apparently didn't prevent him from expressing his original opinion with enough clarity that everyone listening knew it was despicable. It was not something that his tongue just tripped over after never having been in his head before in his life.

[rug]

5. Which, being married or having children?

[onager]

6. This oldie seems to fit here...

Take off your clothes,
Let me see what it is that you're hiding.
And don't look so shocked,
You have nothing to fear from my eyes.

Chorus:
My daddy is a priest, you know
And I am not a beast, you know
I just want to love...(x2)

Take off your clothes,
And stand naked as nature intended.
And I'll take off mine,
Just to show you that I'm in good faith.

Chorus

Well now you can see,
It isn't as bad as all that.
So lie on the bed,
And I'll talk of my unhappy childhood.

My daddy is the Pope, you know
And I just want to grope, you know
I just want to feel...

http://www.sweetslyrics.com/761746.Peter%20Sarstedt%20-%20Take%20Off%20Your%20Clothes.html

[dimbear]

7. The biological offspring of priests, popes and suchlike are referred to as nephews and nieces.

Some papal nephews have themselves become pope. Others mere cardinals. It's just something that the faithful have learned to accept.