Latins mounting a defense of the claim that priestly celibacy is a norm of apostolic origin continually and consistently refer to the book by Christian Cochini, the English translation of which is published by Ignatius Press, The Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy. But it is not at all clear to Byzantines and others that Concini has the historical evidence necessary to establish this claim.
Here is another Latin apologia: The Charism of Priestly Celibacy by Fr. Frederick L. Miller, STD
1 comment:
While this article rebuts +Stickler directly who relies on Cochini, the arguments here have merit against Cochini:
https://east2west.org/articles/mandatory_clerical_celibacy/
The heart of this article written by an Eastern rite deacon-academic is that no evidence exists before the 4th Century (Siricius in AD 385) clearly demonstrating that mandated continence was legislated by the Apostles & Early Church. Mandated continence thus is an innovation and can be modified.
Second, Cholij modified his position and now supports married priests in the East on the ecclesiological basis that the Roman Pontiff should not interfere with a sui juris rite. There are also ecumenical implications for the Orthodox, he says.
Third, the "ontological" argument +Sarah makes (i.e., celibacy as essential to priesthood) contradicts Vatican II in PO 16 that celibacy is not of the essence of the priesthood.
Post a Comment