Sacerdotalis Caelibatus EN

Encyclical Sacerdotalis Caelibatus Pope Paul VI The Celibacy of the Priest June 24, 1967 LATIN TEXT: Acta Apostolicae Sedis, 59 (1967), 657-97. ENGLISH TRANSLATION: The Pope Speaks, 12 (Summer,1967), 291-319.

Headings

5 OBJECTIONS AGAINST PRIESTLY CELIBACY 6 The Fathers of the Church 7 Vocation and Celibacy 8 The Shortage of Priests 10 Human Values 11 Inadequate Formation 13 Testimony of the Past and Present 14 The Law of Celibacy Confirmed 16 Purpose of the Encyclical 17 1. REASONS FOR PRIESTLY CELIBACY 19 Christological Significance 20 Matrimony and Celibacy 21 Christ's Example 22 The Motive for Celibacy 24 Fullness of Love 25 Invitation to Study 26 Ecclesiological Significance 28 The Divine Office and Prayer 29 A Full and Fruitful Life 32 The Pastoral Efficacy of Celibacy 33 Eschatological Significance 34 A Sign of Heavenly Treasures 35 CELIBACY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH 38 The Church of the East 41 The Tradition of the Western Church 42 Particular Cases 44 The Mind of the Council 45 The Prayer of the People of God 47 The Hidden Wisdom of God 48 The Courage of Faith 50 CELIBACY AND HUMAN VALUES 51 Grace and Nature 53 Celibacy Not Against Nature 55 An Exaltation of Man 56 The Development of Personality 57 The Testimony of Total Dedication 58 The Priest and Solitude 59 The Loneliness of Christ 60 II. PRIESTLY FORMATION 61 Carrying Out the Council's Norms 62 Personal Response to the Divine Vocation 64 Unsuitable Candidates 66 The Necessity of Discipline 67 Personal Initiative 69 A Free Choice 70 A Demanding Asceticism 71 Trial Periods 72 A Gift to the Lord and His Church 73 THE PRIESTLY LIFE 75 Intense Spiritual Life 76 The Spirit of the Priestly Ministry 78 Virile Asceticism 79 The Brotherhood of Priests 81 Charity For Fellow Priests 82 LAMENTABLE DEFECTIONS 84 Reasons for Dispensations 85 The Church's Concern 88 The Granting of Dispensations 89 Encouragement and Warning 91 THE BISHOP'S FATHERLINESS 93 A Bishop's Kindness 94 Authority and Fatherliness 96 ROLE OF THE FAITHFUL 97 Invitation to the Laity 98 CONCLUSION