In Consideration of RCC Priests Being Abstinent and Celibate

[MineralMan]

Matthew 19:10-12 New International Version (NIV)

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

"Those who choose to live like eunuchs." This seldom-read part of Matthew is sort of at the heart of the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. In the early days of the church, and also in the Orthodox church, some priests actually became physical eunuchs through castration, some voluntarily and others not so much. Also, choir members, which were often close to being clergy members, were sometimes castrated prior to puberty to preserve their soprano voices. This all went on for a longer period than most people know.

Other religions have had priesthoods where the priests were physical eunuchs, as well. "Roman followers of Cybele were called Galli, who practiced ritual self-castration, known as sanguinaria.[213] Eunuch priests also figured prominently in the Atargatis cult in Syria during the first centuries CE." cf: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunuch#Religious_castration

It's not something that is discussed a lot, but those verses from Matthew are featured in this official Vatican document, entitled: CONGREGATION FOR THE CLERGY

DIRECTORY
ON THE MINISTRY AND LIFE
OF PRIESTS

I won't excerpt it here, but you can find it at this link:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_31011994_directory_en.html

In case you're thinking this is an ancient document, here's what it says at the end:

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II, on 31 January 1994, approved this Directory and authorised its publication."

It's hard to escape the idea that celibacy and abstinence from sex are related to that verse. In fact, it's pretty obvious that there is the symbolism of voluntary eunuch status in the priesthood.

It's not working out so well, though, as we are beginning to see, as scandals are exposed.