Clerical celibacy : the heritage / William E. Phipps.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Phipps, William E., 1930-2010.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Catholic Church--Clergy.

Catholic Church.

Clergy.

Celibacy--Catholic Church.

Celibacy.

Physical Description:

x, 272 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Continuum, [2004]

Summary:

The recent sex abuse scandals in the Catholic Church raised new questions about the abilities of a celibate priesthood to deal realistically with matters of sexuality. Critics and journalists who have examined these scandals have called for an end to mandatory celibacy for priests. In this carefully measured but provocative overview, Phipps points out that "mandatory celibacy is relatively new-fangled, having appeared during the last half of the church's existence. The innovation was imposed in the feudal and crusading era, a dark period for the Church." In order to provide this survey, Phipps probes ancient religious texts and church history and uses studies that provide factual assessments of the general individual and cultural consequences of celibacy. He avoids anecdotal evidence about celibacy and offers a balanced exploration by allowing celibate advocates and church representatives to speak in their own voices about these matters.

Contents:

The pre-Christian era

A celibate Jesus?

The apostolic era

The patristic era

The medieval era

From Luther to Paul VI

The contemporary era.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-268) and index.

ISBN:

0826416179

OCLC:

54501587