Celibacy as Normal, Priest as Father, Christ's Death & the Mass

A Response to Jimmy Swaggert Ministries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Being Unmarried - A Normal Alternative

In speaking about priests, you consistently harp about the issue of being unmarried. Is it a sin to remain single and chaste? Jesus did not get married and have intercourse with women, did this erode the effectiveness of his priesthood? Certainly you cannot be a fan of that blasphemous film, "The Last Temptation of Christ," in which our precious Lord is made to look like a bi-sexual, wimpish fool? Seriously, both the single state and the married are natural options; it is only when people engage in unlawful sexual practices that perversion is encountered. As a confessor of souls, I urge people to live chaste and holy lives, to repent from sin; I also beg them to bring their "accomplices" in sin to Christ's mercy and salvation. It is my trust that you have done similar things in your struggle as a pastor and as a Christian man.

Juvenile Views of Priesthood and Confession

Did your explanation of priesthood and confession find its source in the ramblings of a confused child? Or, maybe ir emerged from an adult who never allowed his faith to mature? I have already explained that Christ is the one high priest in whom the priest in a sacramental fashion represents for the community. In him, it is Christ forgiving sins. To convict the priest and penitent of sinning by participation in the rite is blasphemous (p. 32). If you would only do more translation work regarding the presbyters of the bible and allow for literature besides the bible, the whole picture might become evident. Indeed, if you would only more critically study your bible, problems might be more readily resolved between us. If one were to exclude everything but the bible, then even the reading of your pamphlet would be worth condemnation. Your twisting of Paul's words regarding this issue on page 33 is a disgrace I never thought I would see. Put the passages of the Scriptures in their proper context, and paraphrase them accurately!

Ironic Conjecture Regarding Immorality

Ah, and what about the irony on the top of page 34? You assert that priestly celibacy is itself the cause for the scandal of child abuse and other forms of sexual perversion. Most priests I have known remain faithful to their promise of chastity and fidelity. Most cases of abuse arise within the dynamic of marriage. Married men can also suffer from lust in their hearts. Along with Rev. Bakker, you know firsthand the weakness of the flesh. Rather than casting stones at others, we should pray and support one another in our various states of life. Nevertheless, pamphlets like this one continue to be released. The world would be a better place if more people had a healthy devotion to Mary as a perpetual Virgin, instead of concentrating on despoiling such young women.

The Question of "Father"

Finally, regarding the priesthood, you criticize the title, "Father," quoting from Matthew 23:9 (p. 34). Did you never call your male parent, "Father"? A priest in a special way is a spiritual father to many. His responsibility is not divided between a family of his flesh and blood and that of the Church. The People of God are those in whom he loves and serves Jesus. From the early morning mass to the late night sick call, he is there and he is a part of them.

Christ Died Once and For All

I wish you could get your facts straight! Each celebration of the Mass is not a NEW sacrifice of Christ (p. 34). Once again, this is not the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church! It is heresy and has been condemned over and over again! Christ died once and for all as a perfect and acceptable sacrifice to the Father. Let me give you a quick and grammar school explanation of what you are confused about. The Mass, which Christ asked us at his Last Supper to do in memory of him, was connected even in the Scriptures with his coming ordeal and the cross. By the way, this command of Christ institutes both the Mass and the priesthood. This connection between the Last Supper and the Cross continues in the Mass today. However, Christ cannot be put to death again; as risen, he is now beyond suffering and death forever. This is unalterable Catholic doctrine and elementary Christology. The Mass is seen as a living memorial, making present what it signifies in a sacramental fashion. To use a modern analogy, it is like a time machine, suddenly the one thing which was missing at Calvary, our union to Christ and our submission to the Father, is provided. The veil of the years are torn aside and we are there. We experience the sacrifice behind the signs of the sacrament in an unbloody fashion; however, it is the very one and same experience which Christ endured once and for all. It can be a deep theological concept. What is interesting is that even the Christians of the Scriptures, without any sophisticated philosophical categories, could come to appreciate this deep mystery. It is at the core of the gift of faith. If you cannot see evidence in history or Scripture supporting it, then you are too resistant to convince about anything. Your words on page 36 regarding this are dangerous for their persuasive disregard of the truth. I am a good bible student as well as a reasonable historian; I see evidence in the bible as well as in other literature, some contemporary to it. Have you never read these? Just as an academic exercise, are you familiar with The Apostolical Traditions by Hippolytus? If not, I would sight it as but one more example of your lack of reliable data. He offers us in the earliest centuries one of the first written records of Christian practices as well as a liturgical prayer (used at Mass).

The Mass - Christian Worship From the Beginning

The apostles celebrated the Mass in union with a regular meal. This agape (love feast) was ultimately shortened due to a lack of sharing and the difficulty of feeding a growing community. This "eighth day" (Sunday) celebration took on additional importance when the Jews believing in Christ were exiled from the synagogues (Saturday).