Priestly Celibacy: Its Scriptural, Historical, Spiritual, and Psychological Roots / Edited by Peter M.J. Stravinskas

In this book, seven authors argue that there are many solid reasons to retain and promote the discipline of clerical celibacy in the church: biblical, historical, theological, and practical. Because the Catholic Church places unmitigated trust in the Bible as the Word of God, she turns first to scripture to see what inspired authors have to teach us.

This anthology of essays which is both theologically and historically precise, and also intensely practical helps the reader to appreciate that charism rightly dubbed by Pope John Paul VI as “the jewel of the priesthood.”

"Apriest makes a commitment to do a rather incredible thing in our .. society today; to make a promise, for the sake of the Lord, not to marry, not to have a wife and children. It is a very radical and counter-cultural commitment in our sexually permissive society. A priest promises to be celibate and chaste. It makes little sense to our secular world--little sense outside the context of faith. The priest follows the example of Jesus, Who never married. Celibacy entails sacrifice and prayer and frees the priest to fall in love with his flock and to serve them with an undivided heart. ........" [from back cover]