How To Live and Witness Celibacy Before A Secularized World

(Prof. Jose Vidamor B. Yu, Manila)

 

Celibacy is a gift from God and one of the most significant aspects of priestly life. It is an integral part of priestly vocation especially in the Latin Church which was held in high esteem. It reveals one of the spiritual richness of the Church. John Paul II emphasized on Holy Thursday of 1996 that the uniqueness of the gift of vocation to the priestly life is manifested through the commitment towards celibacy. Celibacy is one’s commitment and total offering to God making it a concrete sign of God’s presence in the world. It is a vocation that is lived out, a journey of life, and part of an overall commitment to the many different tasks which is derived from the gift of the priesthood. It is a commitment and a task which is inherently dynamic because it involves a constant response to God’s call and witnessing to the world.

 

Celibacy as Sign of God’s Presence

            The rich and profound experience of the Church with regard to the ministry of the priests in the world has drawn the deep relationship between the priesthood and celibacy. Vatican II reminds priests and religious to embrace celibacy and esteem it as a gift which directly symbolizes God’s undivided love and man’s particular response to that love God has for all mankind. Perfect continence was commended by Christ to be freely accepted by those who desire to follow the Lord with an undivided heart. Celibacy reflects God’s love to man and man’s expression of his desire to respond to God’s unconditional love.

            In a world that is characterized to be pragmatic, militant and anthropocentric without any recourse to God, celibacy becomes a constant reminder of divine charity. In a world full of individualistic desires and selfish motives, the free choice of sacred celibacy has always been considered by the Church “as a symbol of, and stimulus to, charity”. (Sacedotalis Caelibatus 24) The world is reminded of God’s love and concern for the salvation of the world: without God, man can do nothing. It signifies a love without reservations; it stimulates to a charity which is open to all. Celibacy reflects the richness of both God’s presence and man’s spiritual response.

 

Celibacy as Sign of God’s Love for the World

            As a response to the unconditional love of God to man, man desires freely to respond by his total offering of himself through celibacy. Paul VI says that consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal love of Christ for the Church. It likewise reflects the virginal and supernatural fecundity of this marriage, by which the children of God are born, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh.” (cf Sacerdotalis Caelibatus 26) Like Christ who abandoned Himself for the sanctification of the world and the salvation of man, celibacy facilitates man’s total dedication of service to God’s people. Celibacy is always embraced in relation to the desire of the coming of God’s Kingdom.

            As the world experiences rapid changes which most of the times lead to the crisis of one’s faith, celibacy becomes a sign of hope that man is still capable of dedicating himself to God. Ministers of the Church freely and knowingly commit themselves to it with fidelity in view of the indelible character they received in the sacrament of Holy Orders. Through celibacy, man proclaims God’s love for the world. Priestly celibacy is a charism, it reminds the priests that celibacy is a priceless gift of God for the Church and has a prophetic value for the world today. (cf PDV 29)