Faithful Friend,

A person, clearly in deep spiritual anguish, recently put to me a number of allegations concerning the lifestyle of a number of priests in the person's own diocese. I have no way of knowing if these allegations are true. Sometimes rumours go out concerning priests that are both false and unfair - and unless the priests in question have "got used to it", this can be very upsetting for them. It can be a great shock, and very upsetting for a priest, to discover that a totally innocent relationship is the subject of gossip and allegation.

Many years ago I had lunch in a large restaurant which had a pub attached. Later I discovered that a certain person, having seen me there, tried to start a rumour that I was a heavy drinker - despite the fact that, as a Pioneer, I abstain completely from alcoholic drink. This rumour was so ridiculous as to be laughable. Other rumours are however much more hurtful.

But, as we sadly now know, sometimes rumours are only too true.

Just as for children, and even adults, it can be soul destroying to even suspect that one of their parents is not being faithful to their marriage vows, so too for the laity, it can be deeply soul destroying if they believe that their priest, or priests they know are not being faithful to celibacy.

Today our church needs far more than just good child protection rules. It needs renewal, radical renewal.

And one basic element necessary for radical renewal is for priests, religious and laity to be loyal to their vows.

"My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all God's people." Ps 116:14

We just cannot be an agent of renewal while breaking our vows!! If we are compromising, Jesus will still love us. We may even know His presence within us. We may 'feel' that the relationship in question is okay or even beautiful. But there will be no anointing upon one's life or ministry. One will be like the fig tree that Jesus cursed:- all leaves and no fruit.

On the surface, Jesus' cursing of that tree appeared an arbitrary act. Even the gospel writers didn't understand the symbolic significance of what Jesus did.

Shortly after cursing the fig tree, Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. ..... Any branch in Me that bears no fruit my Father cuts away. .... and these branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned" See John 15:1-8.

His cursing the fig tree was not because he was hungry, or because He was frustrated.

His cursing of it was a highly symbolic warning to us:- that that is what becomes of those who fail to bear fruit. And we will not bear fruit or come under anointing, if we are not living our vows. For us priests, that includes celibacy.

Human nature being what it is, some priests will go through a time of struggle. Celibacy isn't easy, and there will often be issues of sexual struggle and/or of loneliness that take time to resolve. This is a fact of human nature. The question is:- what does one do about it? The answer is not to seek to hound priests out of the priesthood, but rather to challenge them to live the celibate life and to provide help for them in so doing. A priest needs good friends, ones who will encourage him and support him in his living of celibacy. St. John Vianney was lucky enough to have friends who were prepared to challenge him when he wanted to run from Ars (See P. 12). We need similar friends who will totally respect our dedication to God.

Given the challenges in living celibacy, and how easy it could be for a priest to compromise or even to feel justified in compromising, justice demands that seminarians and priests be presented with a positive theology of celibacy including its apostolic roots (something I did not receive in seminary). Then the importance of living celibately, if we are to come under God's anointing, should be regularly held before us. It should also be made clear that if one is not prepared to seek to live the celibate life, then one should leave the priesthood. If a priest is in a sexual relationship and isn't prepared to end it, he should leave.

Meanwhile I have also been asked if the coming Apostolic Visitation of the Church in Ireland by Cardinals Murphy O Connor and O Malley, and Archbishops Collins, Prendergast and Dolan would be an appropriate opportunity for people to raise their concerns about what they see as problems within the Church.

The answer is 'yes'. While the Apostolic Visitation mostly has to do with child protection, the press release announcing it included the sentence, "It is also intended to contribute to the desired spiritual and moral renewal that is already being vigorously pursued by the Church in Ireland."

Where there are issues that need to be faced, dealing with them is a necessary step towards bringing about "the desired spiritual and moral renewal".

Normally, in the first place, where issues exist, these issues should be raised with one's bishop.

But sometimes there can be valid reasons why people find it very hard to go to their local bishop.

If a bishop is seen to be both providing positive leadership and also promoting celibacy and the living of celibacy in a positive way, then people will feel free to go to him with their concerns. But where such leadership is not evident, there will be countless reasons why people will have difficulty coming forward. Then the Apostolic Visitation does represent a special once off opportunity.

Yours, in Christ,

Thaddeus Doyle (Rev.)

PS The names and addresses of the Apostolic Visitors are on P. 11

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