The Case for Clerical Celibacy: Its Historical Development and Theological Foundations (Paperback)

by Alphonso M. Cardinal Stickler (Author) "IN THE ONGOING DISCUSSION on clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church, which in recent years has been markedly intensified, one regularly hears a variety of..." (more)
Key Phrases: clerical continence, major clerics, higher clerics, Saint Paul, Western Church, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705339
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705331
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #352,393 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting, May 21, 2001

By	Nicholas A. Zientarski (Silver Spring MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Stickler's short book on the development and tradition of celibacy for priests to be enlightening. It shows the various periods in history when celibacy (the free-will abstinence from sexual intercourse in order to conform to the order of the priesthood of Jesus Christ) took shape and form in the Church, both East and West. Some may disagree with his views (there are certainly opponents to celibacy out there), but the Cardinal does a very good job of showing the value, tradition, and importance of celibacy (especially for the latin rite). I'd recommend it for anyone who is seeking answers to the subject of celibacy in the history of the Church.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough, January 2, 2008

By	Michael Bates "Michael Bates" (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is a very thorough historical review of priestly celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church.

Without an avid interest it may become tedious. It does not have the sound byte style by means of which the modern reader is used to sourcing information. However if a committment is made to read it from cover to cover the reader will be enlightened by a new understanding of the disciplinary rule of celibacy.

13 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I question the purpose of this book, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

If the purpose of this book is to show the historical origins and development of legitimate, differing East/West practices, it is fine. If its purpose is to argue that all churches should practice the discipline of clerical celibacy, or that clerical celibacy is a doctrinal rather than a disciplinary imperative, it is valueless.

The ordination of married men in the Catholic Church is not an "exception to the rules" nor is it contrary to or inconsistent with Catholic doctrine. Only the Latin, of 22 Catholic Churches sui iuris in communion with the Bishop of Rome, requires the discipline of clerical celibacy by canon law. The canon law of the Eastern Catholic Churches, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, is legitimately different and not inferior.

Do I think married men should be ordained in the Latin Catholic Church? Only as exceptions; the canon law should not be changed, in my opinion. Do I think married men should be ordained to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches? Yes, whenever it is consistent with their individual traditions.

This is a disciplinary, not a doctrinal, issue.