Priest and writer Cozzens calmly explains the celibacy Roman Catholic priests have been obliged to assume since the late eleventh century. Making celibacy mandatory, he argues, grates on the established concept of celibacy as a charism, or freely bestowed gift of the Holy Spirit; indeed, the practice seems to promise, ever so presumptuously, that ordination entails the charism. Many priests testify that it doesn't, and many consequently suffer great anguish, regardless of whether they break their vows (by and large, they don't). That celibacy is necessary for priesthood is contradicted within the church today, Cozzens notes, by the hundreds of married former Protestant clergy who converted to Catholicism and are serving as priests and by the priests of Eastern rite churches in communion with Rome, which have always allowed marriage before ordination. Better for all, Cozzens says, to dispense with prescribed celibacy while continuing to pray for the charism. Much more effectively than other, more famous critics of priestly celibacy, Cozzens teaches as well as advocates.
Ray OlsonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"This reading regards silence and passivity as no longer acceptable for lay Catholics who want to actively participate with and in the church. . . . After reading this highly insightful and fearless author, my question stands: Do we stay `exiled' from our own faith, or do we have a `faith that dares to speak'?" --
Ministry & Liturgy'Freeing Celibacy' - what a marvelous double entendre! With wisdom, compassions, and passion Cozzens argues that celibacy for the diocesan clergy is freeing an experience of freedom and joy only if the church frees it from legalism, fear of sexuality, and lust for power, that is, only if we have the courage to let it be what it essentially is a gift/charism from God. This book must be meditated upon by every bishop, priest, candidate to the priesthood, and by anyone concerned about the future of the Roman Catholic Church. --Dr. Peter C. Phan, Theology Department, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Can we continue to impose celibacy as a law on diocesan clergy, many of whom do not have the charism? Cozzens mounts historical, theological, and pastoral reasons why the mandate should end. --
Kathleen A. Cahalan, Associate Professor, Saint John's University School of Theology and SeminaryCombining history, theology, pastoral experience and sincere love for the church, Freeing Celibacy is a courageous, forward-looking book that invites reflection and discussion on the role of celibacy in the life of the church. --
William H. Shannon, Nazareth College, Rochester, New YorkFreeing Celibacy is one of the clearest and most straightforward examinations of the role of obligatory celibacy in the Roman Catholic priesthood and in the life of the Church. In his characteristically low-key, even gentle fashion, Father Cozzens effectively challenges each of the traditional defenses that have been mounted in support of the discipline. The book, in effect, points its finger at a massive elephant in the Church s living room that many still pretend not to see. --Rev. Richard P. McBrien, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
In his characteristically low-key, even gentle fashion, Father Cozzens effectively challenges each of the traditional defenses that have been mounted in support of the discipline. --
Rev. Richard P. McBrien, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IndianaPastoral bishops arguing for a reconsideration of the present insistence that Roman Rite priests be celibates, will be both helped and heartened by Donald Cozzens admirable review of the ecclesial and pastoral value of mandatory celibacy." --
Cardinal Thomas Williams, Archbishop of Wellington, New ZealandThis reading regards silence and passivity as no longer acceptable for lay Catholics who want to actively participate with and in the church. . . . After reading this highly insightful and fearless author, my question stands: Do we stay `exiled' from our own faith, or do we have a `faith that dares to speak'? --Ministry and Liturgy