On various different news sites this morning there are article about the catholic church and marriage and sex. The fact that the Catholic church is against gay marriages is no news at all, but on Friday the Italian government entered into the heated debate about equaling the rights of unmarried couples (including gay) the same rights as married couples. This includes medical insurance, inheritance, taxes and such. Vatican replied that the social and moral fabric of our society is deteriorating, so if you want rights: get married.
Easier said then done. In the US, the Catholic church is facing a completely different problem. Here people want to get married, but they are the priests. This whole celibacy thing started about the 4th century, where it was OK for readers and deacons to be married, but not for priests or bishops. The Council of Nicea decreed that ordained priest could not marry. St. Augustine wrote that “Nothing is so powerful in drawing the spirit of a man downwards as the caresses of a woman.” (I just wish I could actually find the quote in text. It’s not in the Confessions or Soliloquies, although that’s a REALLY interesting read. Especially if you think that this is a future saint writing around the year 400 AD.) It was all about the spirit then. But by the 11th century it’s about money – wives, concubines and children shall not inherit the property of the church. Funny how it comes down to money in the end. So the question now is where do we stand today. Is it about money or spirituality? Or maybe it’s about attracting young priests to the church since they know they will not have to give up their life for it. Maybe it’s a way to avoid sex scandals in the church. Or maybe it’s just the fear of change. The again, isn’t taking orders a sign of sacrifice one’s life for the faith?
Song of the day:
Gipsyland feat. Anoushka – Salaam (Salaam is Arabic for peace)
Loading ...