Suppose a priest falls in love with a girl. They maintain a clean relationship with mutual pure understanding (i.e. without sexual relationship involved), will the priest considered violating his sacrament of vocation. Are the couple committing sin, sin against one another and most of all, sin against God - gravious sin?

-- Anonymous, June 22, 1998

Answers

Response to Sacrament

Hi Alexis,

Remember priests are just as human as anyone of us. Any priest or religious that allows this is just courting temptation. Human sexuality is a powerful force not to be dealt with lightly. You ask is it a sin probably not, is it spiritually dangerous for both, yes. What comes to my mind when I read your post is Francis and Clare.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998

Sin of Presumption - Near occasion of sin

Rich,

Isn't it the sin of presumption though to deliberately enter into a near occasion of mortal sin? I think it's more than spiritually dangerous.

I think celibacy is more than just the abstinence from sexual relations. It is the giving up of the relationship of marriage and the possibility of an intimate affective relationship with one member of the opposite sex.

Whether or not you believe the Church should change its discipline relating to celibacy in the Latin rite, those priests who are already ordained have all made a solemn vow to God to serve Him and to forego the blessing of married love. It is a grave concern, I think, when priests allow themselves to enter into situations where they will feel pressured to break that promise.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 1998

Response to Sacrament

Francis and Clare? Care to elaborate? 'Fraid I haven't heard of the story before.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998

Response to Sacrament

Esther - I believe the reference is to Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. Clare, as a young girl, was influenced by Francis' impoverished devotion (she founded the Poor Clares) and was quite close to him. Someone - Anyone - please correct me if I am wrong. God Bless.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998

Response to Sacrament

The above is correct, The love that Francis of Assisi shared with Calre of Assisi was closer than any human love it was truly in the realm of God. The story is much too long to post here but get a book on Francis and his life. There is also a book called "Francis and Clare" But for most of us humans the line is very thin and can be crossed very easily if one is careful.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998

Response to Sacrament

That's a good suggestion, Rich...I would also suggest anyone who is interested in the story of Francis and Clare to rent the film "Brother Son and Sister Moon". Most Catholic Book Stores actually loan the tape out for free.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998

Response to Sacrament

Wow yes what you say is something to be pondered. Just where does one cross that "thin line" When one is Ordained their freedom is not taken away one is free to sin if one so chooses, but he who crosses the line is more severly judged and the one who crossed with them. The document issued in 1974 " A Guide To Formation In Priestly Celibacy" based on "Sacerdotalis caelibatus" is one of the best sources to understand the meaning of, and purpose of, Priestly Celibacy.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 1998