God calls us in different state: in married life, single blessedness, or in celibate life. Celibacy is not for all. It is a particular vocation for those who deemed to follow Christ in the consecrated life. Thus, it is a charism – a gift from God. Furthermore, celibacy is an abstention from sexual relations, or so to say; the state of being unmarried. Particularly, the consecrated persons: priests, nuns, and religious have to be healthy celibates for they are called to be engaged with God and His people alone.
Most of the time, people connects celibacy with the issue of “sex”. This is the very reason why celibacy appears not so pleasing in the modern times. In fact, a very few number of young people are choosing this as their way to sanctity. It is as though many cases of sexual misconduct of the consecrated people can be blamed upon the rising of their idea about sex and the lack of right knowledge of it.
On the other hand, some of the young people are engaged in sexual activities at their early age. They are comfortable in speaking of things regarding their sexual experiences only to their colleagues at their age. Usually, the youth are hesitant to talk about such topics with the authoritative figure who can give them right information about sex and sexuality. It is because they are afraid of reprimands, disciplinary actions, and judgments from authorities like parents and formators. This fear is rooted from the belief that “sex” is bad. It is also true as in the cases of many young candidates to priesthood and even to a few numbers of ordained pastors. This case challenges the Church and its promotion of vocations among the youth. Moreover, it must be clear to the young people that the openness of their mind about sex is not to be faced through trial. They need to be guided to a proper way of understanding their sexuality.
“The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal and supernatural fecundity of marriage, by which the children of god are born, not by flesh and blood.” (cf. Pope Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus, 24 June 1967) For somebody living out celibacy, it simply means: (1)...that the development of full humanity is more important than genital expression; (2)...that there are more important thing than sexual potency; (3)...that self-transcendence is more fully human than self-fulfillment.
This is the only way to make the ministers of the church healthy celibates. Good thing, the church has opened its doors in addressing this issue. In fact, many formation houses and seminaries are now open to the issues concerning their candidates’ tensions and conflicts in the area of sex and sexuality. In this regard, the formators are duty-bound to pay special attention to this issue by giving their candidates proper information and knowledge.
To be celibate also means to be empty for God, to be free and open for His presence in many people and to be available for His service. Hence, the choice of celibacy is an act of radical rejection of a number of myths that our society holds as facts: (1)…that genital sex is absolutely necessary for a person to be fully human; (2)…that sexual relation is the only way to insure one against loneliness; (3)…that sexual orgasm and experience of sexual intercourse is the only proof of one’s masculinity or femininity; (4)…and that sexual fulfillment is the ultimate purpose of life.
With celibacy, therefore, one guards himself against all irresponsible use of sexual power whether inside of outside marriage, ordained and lay alike. For after all, even married people can also be chaste.
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