THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SEX SCANDAL

One of the terrible events headlining our news these days is the scandal that is rocking the Catholic Church concerning its priests and the sexual abuse of children. One of the most appalling things about this scandal is the fact that they have attempted to cover up the sins of these men by transferring them to another parish where they just continue their abuse of innocent victims. The other disturbing thing about the whole scandal is the denial on the part of the Catholic Church and her officials (i.e. Bishops, Cardinals, etc.). They have repeatedly denied that the doctrine of celibacy of the priests has anything to do with this problem.

The problem is the absolute false premise upon which this doctrine is built. Claiming that Peter was the first Pope and that the priesthood should be made up of men who remain unmarried has got to be at the heart of this problem.

First, consider the fact that if Peter was the first Pope, he violated the very doctrine they claim for all priests today. That is, Peter had a wife (Mt. 8:14).

God saw the need for man to have a mate to help him and to be the way for him to satisfy the natural urges that God built into each one of us. God designed man with a desire to have a fulfilling sexual relationship with a woman. And God designed the way in which that might be done without causing man to sin. After all, it would be a very cruel God who gave us this desire and then provided no legitimate way to satisfy it. From the beginning it has been God’s plan for man and woman to be together in the marriage relationship (Gen. 2:24). Paul tells us that God designed marriage to prevent sexual immorality (1 Cor. 7:2) and that the marriage relationship is for those who cannot exercise self-control (1 Cor. 7:10), "for it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

Bobby W. Schrimsher, Jr.

Minister

Westview Church of Christ