St. Paul recommended the discipline

of celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 to facilitate devotion to Christ

for service of the Gospel. It was widely encouraged and increasingly adopted

The argument of doing away

with priestly celibacy because of a minority of unfaithful priests makes

as much sense as doing away with monogamy in marriage because of unfaithful

spouses. Both are sacred institutions. Both demand discipline, fidelity,

and grace. And the greatness of both institutions is measured among those

who follow their vows, not break them.

Scandal among the clergy is

nothing new. Of the 12 Apostles, one was a "Judas priest" and

traitor. Another, who happened to be the first pope, publicly denied his

master. And nine others fled to the hills. Not a good start for the Church.

The solution back then was

to pray that these spiritual leaders would be strengthened instead of

being "sifted like wheat" when tempted. Perhaps our ministers

today need the same support.

Bob Walden

Fayetteville