Father Joseph Fessio of Ignatius Press, who is the publisher of the English-language version of From the Depths of Our Hearts by Cardinal Robert Sarah and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, gave an interview to EWTN on January 13.
Click here to view and hear the interview.
Excerpt:
“This is not a book that is written in opposition to Pope Francis, but in support of Pope Francis. In fact they quote him very positively in the book.
“So they’re just trying to support him with more knowledge about what the pastoral and ecclesiastical consequences are of potential ordination as a general rule of viri probati, mature men, married men….
“…. Pope Francis said on the plane on the way back from Rio de Janeiro last year, 2019, ‘I would rather die than eliminate the celibate priesthood. I would rather die than do that.’ So this is not against Pope Francis, this is for Pope Francis. Pope Francis says that. But Pope Francis has a lot of pressure on him. I think it’s good for the Pope to realize than men of this stature – of Pope Benedict who is one of the greatest theologians of our time, perhaps of all time – and Cardinal Sarah, who is a brilliant and very pastoral bishop – have spoken out so clearly about this.”
These guys all know what they’re doing and saying. They’re not fooling me or anyone.
Kris, I don’t understand your point.
I think Fr. Fessio’s excellent explanation, in the EWTN interview, of what Pope Benedict emeritus wrote regarding clerical celibacy, in his recent book with Cardinal Sarah, is extremely good and valuable– every Catholic should see this interview, and read this book!
Why the uproar over Pope Francis’ consideration of married priests for the countries in the Amazon region? There are married priests in the Roman Catholic Church serving in the United States. As readers may recall, some Lutheran and Episcopalean pastors have converted to Catholicism and have been allowed to be ordained as Roman Catholic priests. Additionally, there are priests who belong to the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter who were formerly Anglicans and have joined the Catholic Church. Some of these priests are married. Reportedly, these married priests are faithfully serving the church and not engaging in criminal activities (i.e. child abuse) as some of our celibate clergy have previously.
I so appreciated this excellent interview! I watched it twice! Wonderful!
Fr. Fessio is encouraging Pope Francis to have courage. Let’s pray for that!
Fascinating, what Fr. Fessio related, that Pope Francis is under a lot of pressure– yet said, on the plane trip back from Rio de Janeiro in 2019— that he “would rather die,” than eliminate priestly celibacy! A priest is “married to the Church,” and “married to God!” The Orthodox, he said, were mistaken, to allow priests to marry! The priesthood is very holy and special! Our post-Conciliar Church forgets the mystical truth of our Faith– the priest is not a mundane, worldly person– he is consecrated to God, with a very holy and special vocation! He is our “alter Christus,” in the Divine Presence daily, at Mass, bringing us Holy Communion, and all the other beautiful Sacraments, straight from Heaven– sanctifying and preparing us for Eternal Life in Heaven, with Christ, someday! We, too, as Catholics, are not mundane, worldly people– what a great privilege and destiny we have, with Our Lord! I am so awestruck by that!
Just to clarify, the Orthodox do not allow their priests to marry. Like us Eastern Catholics, married men may be ordained to the priesthood. There is a significant difference. No man who is in major orders, a deacon or priest, in any Church that goes back to the Apostles, is permitted to marry. Both lungs of the Church, East and West, value celibacy. To my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, if you think changing the discipline of priestly celibacy is the solution to some of the problems the Church is experiencing, I think you are mistaken. Also, I think some have hidden agendas and have other goals in mind, about which they are not being honest. The key to restoring the Church (and helping save the world) is conversion and fidelity to Christ and the teachings of His Holy Church.
Vatican II asked for active participation at Mass and we ended with an entirely new theology. Married priests in the Amazon are the camel’s nose under the tent and we all know that. Almost everyday I pray for a long life for Benedict who is a living treasure for the continuity of the Church.
Francis the anti-pope. Is that what you are saying?