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The Holy See

SACERDOTALIS CAELIBATUS

ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI

ON THE CELIBACY OF THE PRIEST

JUNE 24, 1967 To the Bishops, Priests and Faithful of the Whole Catholic World.Priestly celibacy has been guarded by

the Church for centuries as a brilliant jewel, and retains its value undiminished even in our time when the outlook of men

and the state of the world have undergone such profound changes.Amid the modern stirrings of opinion, a tendency has

also been manifested, and even a desire expressed, to ask the Church to re-examine this characteristic institution. It is

said that in the world of our time the observance of celibacy has come to be difficult or even impossible.2. This state of

affairs is troubling consciences, perplexing some priests and young aspirants to the priesthood; it is a cause for alarm in

many of the faithful and constrains Us to fulfill the promise We made to the Council Fathers. We told them that it was Our

intention to give new luster and strength to priestly celibacy in the world of today. (1) Since saying this We have, over a

considerable period of time earnestly implorred the enlightenment and assistance of the Holy Spirit and have examined

before God opinions and petitions which have come to Us from all over the world, notably from many pastors of God's

Church.Some Serious Questions3. The great question concerning the sacred celibacy of the clergy in the Church has

long been before Our mind in its deep seriousness: must that grave, ennobling obligation remain today for those who

have the intention of receiving major orders? Is it possible and appropriate nowadays to observe such an obligation? Has

the time not come to break the bond linking celibacy with the priesthood in the Church? Could the difficult observance of

it not be made optional? Would this not be a way to help the priestly ministry and facilitate ecumenical approaches? And

if the golden law of sacred celibacy is to remain, what reasons are there to show that it is holy and fitting? What means

are to be taken to observe it, and how can it be changed from a burden to a help for the priestly life?4. Our attention has

rested particularly on the objections which have been and are still made in various forms against the retention of sacred

celibacy. in virtue of Our apostolic office We are obliged by the importance, and indeed the complexity, of the subject to

give faithful consideration to the facts and the problems they involve, at the same time bringing to them—as it is Our duty

and Our mission to do—the light of truth which is Christ. Our intention is to do in all things the will of Him who has called

Us to this office and to show what we are in the Church: the servant of the servants of God.OBJECTIONS AGAINST

PRIESTLY CELIBACY5. It may be said that today ecclesiastical celibacy has been examined more penetratingly than

ever before and in all its aspects. It has been examined from the doctrinal, historical, sociological, psychological and

pastoral point of view. The intentions prompting this examination have frequently been basically correct although reports

may sometimes have distorted them.Let us look openly at the principal objections against the law that links ecclesiastical

celibacy with the priesthood.The first seems to come from the most authoritative source, the New Testament which

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preserves the teaching of Christ and the Apostles. It does not openly demand celibacy of sacred ministers but proposes it

rather as a free act of obedience to a special vocation or to a special spiritual gift. (2) Jesus Himself did not make it a

prerequisite in His choice of the Twelve, nor did the Apostles for those who presided over the first Christian communities.

(3)The Fathers of the Church6. The close relationship that the Fathers of the Church and ecclesiastical writers

established over the centuries between the ministering priesthood and celibacy has its origin partly in a mentality and

partly in historical circumstances far different from ours. In patristic texts we more frequently find exhortations to the

clergy to abstain from marital relations rather than to observe celibacy; and the reasons justifying the perfect chastity of

the Church's ministers seem often to be based on an overly pessimistic view of man's earthly condition or on a certain

notion of the purity necessary for contact with sacred things. In addition, it is said that the old arguments no longer are in

harmony with the different social and cultural milieus in which the Church today, through her priests, is called upon to

work.Vocation and Celibacy7. Many see a difficulty in the fact that in the present discipline concerning celibacy the gift of

a vocation to the priesthood is identified with that of perfect chastity as a state of life for God's ministers. And so people

ask whether it is right to exclude from the priesthood those who, it is claimed, have been called to the ministry without

having been called to lead a celibate life.The Shortage of Priests8. It is asserted, moreover, that the maintaining of

priestly celibacy in the Church does great harm in those regions where the shortage of the clergy—a fact recognized with

sadness and deplored by the same Council (4)—gives rise to critical situations: that it prevents the full realization of the

divine plan of salvation and at times jeopardizes the very possibility of the initial proclamation of the Gospel. Thus the

disquieting decline in the ranks of the clergy is attributed by some to the heavy burden of the obligation of celibacy.9.

Then there are those who are convinced that a married priesthood would remove the occasions for infidelity,

waywardness and distressing defections which hurt and sadden the whole Church. These also maintain that a married

priesthood would enable Christ's ministers to witness more fully to Christian living by including the witness of married life,

from which they are excluded by their state of life.Human Values10. There are also some who strongly maintain that

priests by reason of their celibacy find themselves in a situation that is not only against nature but also physically and

psychologically detrimental to the development of a mature and well-balanced human personality. And so it happens,

they say, that priests often become hard and lacking in human warmth; that, excluded from sharing fully the life and

destiny of the rest of their brothers, they are obliged to live a life of solitude which leads to bitterness and

discouragement.So they ask: Don't all these things indicate that celibacy does unwarranted violence to nature and

unjustifiably disparages human values which have their source in the divine work of creation and have been made whole

through the work of the Redemption accomplished by Christ?Inadequate Formation11. Again, in view of the way in which

a candidate for the priesthood comes to accept an obligation as momentous as this, the objection is raised that in

practice this acceptance results not from an authentically personal decision, but rather from an attitude of passivity, the

fruit of a formation that neither is adequate nor makes sufficient allowance for human liberty. For the degree of

knowledge and power of decision of a young person and his psychological and physical maturity fall far below—or at any

rate are disproportionate to—the seriousness of the obligation he is assuming, its real difficulties and its permanence.12.

We well realize that there are other objections that can be made against priestly celibacy. This is a very complex

question, which touches intimately upon the very meaning of being alive, yet is penetrated and resolved by the light of

divine revelation. A never-ending series of difficulties will present themselves to those who cannot "receive this precept''

(5) and who do not know or have forgotten it is a "gift of God," (6) and who moreover are unaware of the loftier reasoning,

wonderful efficacy and abundant riches of this new insight into life.Testimony of the Past and Present13. The sum of

these objections would appear to drown out the solemn and age-old voice of the pastors of the Church and of the

masters of the spiritual life, and to nullify the living testimony of the countless ranks of saints and faithful ministers of God,

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for whom celibacy has been the object of the total and generous gift of themselves to the mystery of Christ, as well as its

outward sign. But no, this voice, still strong and untroubled, is the voice not just of the past but of the present too. Ever

intent on the realities of today, we cannot close our eyes to this magnificent, wonderful reality: that there are still today in

God's holy Church, in every part of the world where she exercises her beneficent influence, great numbers of her

ministers—subdeacons, deacons, priests and bishops—who are living their life of voluntary and consecrated celibacy in

the most exemplary way.Nor can we overlook the immense ranks of men and women in religious life, of laity and of

young people too, united in the faithful observance of perfect chastity. They live in chastity, not out of disdain for the gift

of life, but because of a greater love for that new life which springs from the Paschal mystery. They live this life of

courageous self-denial and spiritual joyfulness with exemplary fidelity and also with relative facility. This magnificent

phenomenon bears testimony to an exceptional facet of the kingdom of God living in the midst of modern society, to

which it renders humble and beneficial service as the "light of the world" and the "salt of the earth." (7) We cannot

withhold the expression of Our admiration; the spirit of Christ is certainly breathing here.The Law of Celibacy

Confirmed14. Hence We consider that the present law of celibacy should today continue to be linked to the ecclesiastical

ministry. This law should support the minister in his exclusive, definitive and total choice of the unique and supreme love

of Christ; it should uphold him in the entire dedication of himself to the public worship of God and to the service of the

Church; it should distinguish his state of life both among the faithful and in the world at large.15. The gift of the priestly

vocation dedicated to the divine worship and to the religious and pastor al service of the People of God , is undoubtedly

distinct from that which leads a person to choose celibacy as a state of consecrated life. (8) But the priestly vocation,

although inspired by God, does not become definitive or operative without having been tested and accepted by those in

the Church who hold power and bear responsibility for the ministry serving the ecclesial community. It is, therefore, the

task of those who hold authority in the Church to determine, in accordance with the varying conditions of time and place,

who in actual practice are to be considered suitable candidates for the religious and pastoral service of the Church, and

what should be required of them.Purpose of the Encyclical16. In a spirit of faith, therefore, We look on this occasion

afforded Us by Divine Providence as a favorable opportunity for setting forth anew, and in a way more suited to the men

of our time, the fundamental reasons for sacred celibacy. If difficulties against faith "can stimulate our minds to a more

accurate and deeper understanding" of it, (9) the same is true of the ecclesiastical discipline which guides and directs the

life of the faithful.We are deeply moved by the joy this occasion gives Us of contemplating the richness in virtue and the

beauty of the Church of Christ. These may not always be immediately apparent to the human eye, because they derive

from the love of the divine Head of the Church and because they are revealed in the perfection of holiness (10) which

moves the human spirit to admiration, and which human resources cannot adequately explain.1. REASONS FOR

PRIESTLY CELIBACY17. Virginity undoubtedly, as the Second Vatican Council declared, "is not, of course, required by

the nature of the priesthood itself. This is clear from the practice of the early Church and the traditions of the Eastern

Churches.'' (11) But at the same time the Council did not hesitate to confirm solemnly the ancient, sacred and

providential present law of priestly celibacy. In addition, it set forth the motives which justify this law for those who, in a

spirit of faith and with generous fervor, know how to appreciate the gifts of God.18. Consideration of how celibacy is

"particularly suited" (12) to God's ministers is not something recent. Even if the explicit reasons have differed with

different mentalities and different situations, they were always inspired by specifically Christian considerations; and from

these considerations we can get an intuition of the more fundamental motives underlying them. (13) These can be

brought into clearer light only under the influence of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ to His followers for the knowledge

of things to come (14) and to enable the People of God to increase in the understanding of the mystery of Christ and of

the Church. In this process the experience gained through the ages from a deeper penetration of spiritual things also has

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its part.Christological Significance19. The Christian priesthood, being of a new order, can be understood only in the light

of the newness of Christ, the Supreme Pontiff and eternal Priest, who instituted the priesthood of the ministry as a real

participation in His own unique priesthood. (15) The minister of Christ and dispenser of the mysteries of God, (16)

therefore, looks up to Him directly as his model and supreme ideal. (l7) The Lord Jesus, the only Son of God, was sent

by the Father into the world and He became man, in order that humanity which was subject to sin and death might be

reborn, and through this new birth (18) might enter the kingdom of heaven. Being entirely consecrated to the will of the

Father, (19) Jesus brought forth this new creation by means of His Paschal mystery; (20) thus, He introduced into time

and into the world a new form of life which is sublime and divine and which radically transforms the human condition.

(21)Matrimony and Celibacy20. Matrimony, according to the will of God, continues the work of the first creation; (22) and

considered within the total plan of salvation, it even acquired a new meaning and a new value. Jesus, in fact, has

restored its original dignity, (23) has honored it (24) and has raised it to the dignity of a sacrament and of a mysterious

symbol of His own union with the Church. (25) Thus, Christian couples walk together toward their heavenly fatherland in

the exercise of mutual love, in the fulfillment of their particular obligations, and in striving for the sanctity proper to them.

But Christ, "Mediator of a superior covenant," (26) has also opened a new way, in which the human creature adheres

wholly and directly to the Lord, and is concerned only with Him and with His affairs; (27) thus, he manifests in a clearer

and more complete way the profoundly transforming reality of the New Testament.Christ's Example21. Christ, the only

Son of the Father, by the power of the Incarnation itself was made Mediator between heaven and earth, between the

Father and the human race. Wholly in accord with this mission, Christ remained throughout His whole life in the state of

celibacy, which signified His total dedication to the service of God and men. This deep concern between celibacy and the

priesthood of Christ is reflected in those whose fortune it is to share in the dignity and mission of the Mediator and eternal

Priest; this sharing will be more perfect the freer the sacred minister is from the bonds of flesh and blood. (28)The Motive

for Celibacy22. Jesus, who selected the first ministers of salvation, wished them to be introduced to the understanding of

the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," (29) but He also wished them to be coworkers with God under a very special

title, and His ambassadors. (30) He called them friends and brethren, (31) for whom He consecrated Himself so that they

might be consecrated in truth; (32) He promised a more than abundant recompense to anyone who should leave home,

family, wife and children for the sake of the kingdom of God. (33) More than this, in words filled with mystery and hope,

He also commended an even more perfect consecration (34) to the kingdom of heaven by means of celibacy, as a

special gift. (35) The motive of this response to the divine call is the kingdom of heaven; (36) similarly, this very kingdom,

(37) the Gospel (38) and the name of Christ (39) motivate those called by Jesus to undertake the work of the apostolate,

freely accepting its burdens, that they may participate the more closely in His lot.23. To them this is the mystery of the

newness of Christ, of all that He is and stands for; it is the sum of the highest ideals of the Gospel and of the kingdom; it

is a particular manifestation of grace, which springs from the Paschal mystery of the Savior. This is what makes the

choice of celibacy desirable and worthwhile to those called by our Lord Jesus. Thus they intend not only to participate in

His priestly office, but also to share with Him His very condition of living.Fullness of Love24. The response to the divine

call is an answer of love to the love which Christ has shown us so sublimely. (40) This response is included in the

mystery of that special love for souls who have accepted His most urgent appeals. (41) With a divine force, grace

increases the longings of love. And love, when it is genuine, is all-embracing, stable and lasting, an irresistible spur to all

forms of heroism. And so the free choice of sacred celibacy has always been considered by the Church "as a symbol of,

and stimulus to, charity": (42) it signifies a love without reservations; it stimulates to a charity which is open to all. In a life

so completely dedicated and motivated, who can see the sign of spiritual narrowness or selfseeking, and not see rather

that celibacy is and ought to be a rare and very meaningful example of a life motivated by love, by which man expresses

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his own unique greatness? Who can doubt the moral and spiritual richness of such a life, consecrated not to any human

ideal, no matter how noble, but to Christ and to His work to bring about a new form of humanity in all places and for all

generations?Invitation to Study25. This biblical and theological view associates our ministerial priesthood with the

priesthood of Christ; the total and exclusive dedication of Christ to His mission of salvation provides reason and example

for our assimilation to the form of charity and sacrifice proper to Christ our Savior. This vision seems to Us so profound

and rich in truth, both speculative and practical, that We invite you, venerable brothers, and you, eager students of

Christian doctrine and masters of the spiritual life, and all you priests who have gained a supernatural insight into your

vocation, to persevere in the study of this vision, and to go deeply into the inner recesses and wealth of its reality. In this

way, the bond between the priesthood and celibacy will more and more be seen as closely knit—as the mark of a heroic

soul and the imperative call to unique and total love for Christ and His Church.Ecclesiological Significance26. "Laid hold

of by Christ" (43) unto the complete abandonment of one's entire self to Him, the priest takes on a closer likeness to

Christ, even in the love with which the eternal Priest has loved the Church His Body and offered Himself entirely for her

sake, in order to make her a glorious, holy and immaculate Spouse. (44)The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers

actually manifests the virginal love of Christ for the Church, and 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." (45 46)27. The priest dedicates himself to

the service of the Lord Jesus and of His Mystical Body with complete liberty, which is made easier by his total offering,

and thus he depicts more fully the unity and harmony of the priestly life. (47) His ability for listening to the word of God

and for prayer increases. Indeed, the word of God, as preserved by the Church, stirs up vibrant and profound echoes in

the priest who daily meditates on it, lives it and preaches it to the faithful.The Divine Office and Prayer28. Like Christ

Himself, His minister is wholly and solely intent on the things of God and the Church, (48) and he imitates the great High

priest who lives ever in the presence of God in order to intercede in our favor. (49) So he receives joy and

encouragement unceasingly from the attentive and devout recitation of the Divine Office, by which he dedicates his voice

to the Church who prays together with her Spouse, (50) and he recognizes the necessity of continuing his diligence at

prayer, which is the profoundly priestly occupation. (51)A Full and Fruitful Life29. The rest of a priest's life also acquires a

greater richness of meaning and sanctifying power. In fact, his individual efforts at his own sanctification find new

incentives in the ministry of grace and in the ministry of the Eucharist, in which "the whole spiritual good of the Church is

contained": (52) acting in the person of Christ, the priest unites himself most intimately with the offering, and places on

the altar his entire life, which bears the marks of the holocaust.30. What other considerations can We offer to describe

the increase of the priest's power, his service, his love and sacrifice for the entire people of God? Christ spoke of Himself

when He said: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

(53) And the Apostle Paul did not hesitate to expose himself to a daily death in order to obtain among his faithful glory in

Christ Jesus. (54) In a similar way, by a daily dying to himself and by giving up the legitimate love of a family of his own

for the love of Christ and of His kingdom, the priest will find the glory of an exceedingly rich and fruitful life in Christ,

because like Him and in Him, he loves and dedicates himself to all the children of God.31. In the community of the faithful

committed to his charge, the priest represents Christ. Thus, it is most fitting that in all things he should reproduce the

image of Christ and in particular follow His example, both in his personal and in his apostolic life. To his children in Christ,

the priest is a sign and a pledge of that sublime and new reality which is the kingdom of God; he dispenses it and he

possesses it to a more perfect degree. Thus he nourishes the faith and hope of all Christians, who, as such, are bound to

observe chastity according to their proper state of life.The Pastoral Efficacy of Celibacy32. The consecration to Christ

under an additional and lofty title like celibacy evidently gives to the priest, even in the practical field, the maximum

efficiency and the best disposition of mind, mentally and emotionally, for the continuous exercise of a perfect charity. (55)

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This charity will permit him to spend himself wholly for the welfare of all, in a fuller and more concrete way. (56) It also

obviously guarantees him a greater freedom and flexibility in the pastoral ministry, (57) in his active and living presence in

the world, to which Christ has sent him (58) so that he may pay fully to all the children of God the debt due to them.

(59)Eschatological Significance33. The kingdom of God, which "is not of this world," (60) is present here on earth in

mystery, and will reach its perfection only with the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus. (61) The Church here below

constitutes the seed and the beginning of this kingdom. And as she continues to grow slowly but surely, she longs for the

perfect kingdom and ardently desires with all her energy to unite herself with her King in glory. (62)The pilgrim People of

God are on a journey through the vicissitudes of this life toward their heavenly homeland, (63) where the divine sonship

of the redeemed (64) will be fully revealed and where the transformed loveliness of the Spouse of the Lamb of God will

shine completely. (65)A Sign of Heavenly Treasures34. Our Lord and Master has said that "in the resurrection they

neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." (66) In the world of man, so deeply involved in

earthly concerns and too often enslaved by the desires of the flesh, (67) the precious and almost divine gift of perfect

continence for the kingdom of heaven stands out precisely as "a special token of the rewards of heaven"; (68) it

proclaims the presence on earth of the final stages of salvation (69) with the arrival of a new world, and in a way it

anticipates the fulfillment of the kingdom as it sets forth its supreme values which will one day shine forth in all the

children of God. This continence, therefore, stands as a testimony to the ever-continuing progress of the People of God

toward the final goal of their earthly pilgrimage, and as a stimulus for all to raise their eyes to the things above, "where

Christ is seated at the right hand of God" and where "our life is hid with Christ in God" until it appears "with him in glory."

(70)CELIBACY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH35. Although it would be highly instructive to go through the writings of

past centuries on ecclesiastical celibacy, this would take so long that We will let a brief account suffice. In Christian

antiquity the Fathers and ecclesiastical writers testify to the spread through the East and the West of the voluntary

practice of celibacy by sacred ministers (71) because of its profound suitability for their total dedication to the service of

Christ and His Church.36. From the beginning of the 4th century, the Church of the West strengthened, spread and

confirmed this practice by means of various provincial councils and through the supreme pontiffs. (72) More than anyone

else, the supreme pastors and teachers of the Church of God, the guardians and interpreters of the patrimony of the faith

and of holy Christian practices, promoted, defended, and restored ecclesiastical celibacy in successive eras of history,

even when they met opposition from the clergy itself and when the practices of a decadent society did not favor the

heroic demands of virtue. The obligation of celibacy was then solemnly sanctioned by the Sacred Ecumenical Council of

Trent (73) and finally included in the Code of Canon Law. (74)37. The most recent sovereign pontiffs who preceded Us,

making use of their doctrinal knowledge and spurred on by ardent zeal, strove to enlighten the clergy on this matter and

to urge them to its observance. (75) We do not wish to fail to pay homage to them, especially to Our well-loved

immediate predecessor, whose memory is still fresh in the hearts of men all over the world. During the Roman Synod,

with the sincere approval of all the clergy of the city, he spoke as follows: "It deeply hurts Us that . . . anyone can dream

that the Church will deliberately or even suitably renounce what from time immemorial has been, and still remains, one of

the purest and noblest glories of her priesthood. The law of ecclesiastical celibacy and the efforts necessary to preserve

it always recall to mind the struggles of the heroic times when the Church of Christ had to fight for and succeeded in

obtaining her threefold glory, always an emblem of victory, that is, the Church of Christ, free, chaste and catholic."

(76)The Church of the East38. If the legislation of the Eastern Church is different in the matter of discipline with regard to

clerical celibacy, as was finally established by the Council of Trullo held in the year 692, (77) and which has been clearly

recognized by the Second Vatican Council, (78) this is due to the different historical background of that most noble part of

the Church, a situation which the Holy Spirit has providentially and supernaturally influenced.We Ourselves take this

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opportunity to express Our esteem and Our respect for all the clergy of the Eastern Churches, and to recognize in them

examples of fidelity and zeal which make them worthy of sincere veneration.39. We find further comforting reasons for

continuing to adhere to the observance of the discipline of clerical celibacy in the exaltation of virginity by the Eastern

Fathers. We hear within Us, for example, the voice of St. Gregory of Nyssa, reminding us that "the life of virginity is the

image of the blessedness that awaits us in the life to come." (79) We are no less assured by St. John Chrysostom's

treatise on the priesthood, which is still a fruitful subject for reflection. Intent on throwing light on the harmony which must

exist between the private life of him who ministers at the altar and the dignity of the order to which his sacred duties

belong, he affirmed: ". . . it is becoming that he who accepts the priesthood be as pure as if he were in heaven." (80)40.

Further, it is by no means futile to observe that in the East only celibate priests are ordained bishops, and priests

themselves cannot contract marriage after their ordination to the priesthood. This indicates that these venerable

Churches also possess to a certain extent the principle of a celibate priesthood and even of the appropriateness of

celibacy for the Christian priesthood, of which the bishops possess the summit and fullness. (81)The Tradition of the

Western Church41. In any case, the Church of the West cannot weaken her faithful observance of her own tradition. Nor

can she be regarded as having followed for centuries a path which instead of favoring the spiritual richness of individual

souls and of the People of God, has in some way compromised it, or of having stifled, with arbitrary juridical prescriptions,

the free expansion of the most profound realities of nature and of grace.Particular Cases42. In virtue of the fundamental

norm of the government of the Catholic Church, to which We alluded above, (82) while on the one hand, the law requiring

a freely chosen and perpetual celibacy of those who are admitted to Holy Orders remains unchanged, on the other hand,

a study may be allowed of the particular circumstances of married sacred ministers of Churches or other Christian

communities separated from the Catholic communion, and of the possibility of admitting to priestly functions those who

desire to adhere to the fullness of this communion and to continue to exercise the sacred ministry. The circumstances

must be such, however, as not to prejudice the existing discipline regarding celibacy.And that the authority of the Church

does not hesitate to exercise her power in this matter can be seen from the recent Ecumenical Council, which foresaw

the possibility of conferring the holy diaconate on men of mature age who are already married. (83)43. All this, however,

does not signify a relaxation of the existing law, and must not be interpreted as a prelude to its abolition. There are better

things to do than to promote this hypothesis, which tears down that vigor and love in which celibacy finds security and

happiness, and which obscures the true doctrine that justifies its existence and exalts its splendor. It would be much

better to promote serious studies in defense of the spiritual meaning and moral value of virginity and celibacy. (84)The

Mind of the Council44. Holy virginity is a very special gift. Nevertheless, the whole present-day Church, solemnly and

universally represented by the pastors responsible for her welfare (with due respect, as We have said, for the discipline

of the Eastern Churches), manifested her absolute faith "in the Holy Spirit that the grace of leading a celibate life, so

desirable in the priesthood of the New Testament, will be readily granted by God the Father if those who by ordination

share the priesthood of Christ humbly and earnestly ask it together with the whole Church." (85)The Prayer of the People

of God45. We wholeheartedly call on the entire People of God to do their duty in bringing about an increase in priestly

vocations. (86) We ask them fervently to beg the Father of all, the divine Spouse of the Church, and the Holy Spirit, her

principle of life, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and of His Church, to pour out,

especially at present, this divine gift, which the Father certainly does not wish to give stintingly. They should also fervently

pray, in like manner, that souls may dispose themselves to receive this gift by a profound faith and a generous love. In

this way, in our world which needs God's glory, (81) priests, ever more perfectly conformed to the one and supreme

Priest, will be a real glory to Christ, (88) and, through them, "the glory of the grace" of God will be magnified in the world

of today. (89)46. Yes, venerable and well-beloved brothers in the priesthood, whom We cherish "with the affection of

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Christ Jesus," (90) it is indeed this world in which we live, tormented by the pains of growth and change, justly proud of its

human values and human conquests, which urgently needs the witness of lives consecrated to the highest and most

sacred spiritual values. This witness is necessary in order that the rare and incomparable light radiating from the most

sublime virtues of the spirit may not be wanting to our times.The Hidden Wisdom of God47. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not

hesitate to confide the formidable task of evangelizing the then-known world to a handful of men to all appearances

lacking in number and quality. He bade this little flock not to lose heart, (91) for, thanks to His constant assistance, (92)

through Him and with Him, they would overcome the world. (93) Jesus has also taught us that the kingdom of God has

an intrinsic and unobservable dynamism which enables it to grow "without [man's] knowing it." (94) The harvest of God's

kingdom is great, but the laborers, as in the beginning, are few. Actually, they have never been as numerous as human

standards would have judged sufficient. But the heavenly King demands that we pray "the Lord of the harvest to send out

laborers into His harvest." (95) The counsels and prudence of man cannot supersede the hidden wisdom of Him who, in

the history of salvation, has challenged man's wisdom and power by His own foolishness and weakness. (96)The

Courage of Faith48. Supported by the power of faith, We express the Church's conviction on this matter. Of this she is

certain: if she is prompter and more persevering in her response to grace, if she relies more openly and more fully on its

secret but invincible power, if, in short, she bears more exemplary witness to the mystery of Christ, then she will never fall

short in the performance of her salvific mission to the world—no matter how much opposition she faces from human

ways of thinking or misrepresentations. We must all realize that we can do all things in Him who alone gives strength to

souls (97) and increase to His Church. (98)49. We are not easily led to believe that the abolition of ecclesiastical celibacy

would considerably increase the number of priestly vocations: the contemporary experience of those Churches and

ecclesial communities which allow their ministers to marry seems to prove the contrary. The causes of the decrease in

vocations to the priesthood are to be found elsewhere—for example, in the fact that individuals and families have lost

their sense of God and of all that is holy, their esteem for the Church as the institution of salvation through faith and the

sacraments. The problem must be examined at its real source.CELIBACY AND HUMAN VALUES50. As We said above,

(99) the Church is not unaware that the choice of consecrated celibacy, since it involves a series of hard renunciations

which affect the very depths of a man, presents also grave difficulties and problems to which the men of today are

particularly sensitive. In fact, it might seem that celibacy conflicts with the solemn recognition of human values by the

Church in the recent Council. And yet more careful consideration reveals that this sacrifice of the human love

experienced by most men in family life and given up by the priest for the love of Christ, is really a singular tribute paid to

that great love. For it is universally recognized that man has always offered to God that which is worthy of both the giver

and the receiver.Grace and Nature51. Moreover, the Church cannot and should not fail to realize that the choice of

celibacy—provided that it is made with human and Christian prudence and responsibility—is governed by grace which,

far from destroying or doing violences to nature, elevates it and imparts to it supernatural powers and vigor. God, who

has created and redeemed man, knows what He can ask of him and gives him everything necessary to be able to do

what his Creator and Redeemer asks of him. St. Augustine, who had fully and painfully experienced in himself the nature

of man, exclaimed: "Grant what You command, and command what You will.'' (100)52. A true knowledge of the real

difficulties of celibacy is very useful, even necessary, for the priest, so that he may be fully aware of what his celibacy

requires in order to be genuine and beneficial. But with equal fidelity to the truth, these difficulties must not be given

greater value or weight than they actually have in the human or religious sphere, or be declared impossible of

solution.Celibacy Not Against Nature53. Considering what contemporary scholarly investigation has ascertained, it is not

right to continue repeating (l01) that celibacy is against nature because it runs counter to lawful physical, psychic and

affective needs, or to claim that a completely mature human personality demands fulfillment of these needs. Man,

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created to God's image and likeness, (102) is not just flesh and blood; the sexual instinct is not all that he has; man has

also, and pre-eminently, understanding, choice, freedom, and thanks to these powers he is, and must remain, the chief

work of creation; they give him mastery over his physical, mental and emotional appetites.54. The true, profound reason

for dedicated celibacy is, as We have said, the choice of a closer and more complete relationship with the mystery of

Christ and the Church for the good of all mankind: in this choice there is no doubt that those highest human values are

able to find their fullest expression.An Exaltation of Man55. The choice of celibacy does not connote ignorance of or

contempt for the sexual instinct and man's capacity for giving himself in love. That would certainly do damage to his

physical and psychological balance. On the contrary, it demands clear understanding, careful self-control and a wise

elevation of the mind to higher realities. In this way celibacy sets the whole man on a higher level and makes an effective

contribution to his perfection.The Development of Personality56. We readily grant that the natural and lawful desire a

man has to love a woman and to raise a family is renounced by the celibate in sacred orders; but it cannot be said that

marriage and the family are the only way for fully developing the human person. In the priest's heart love is by no means

extinct. His charity is drawn from the purest source, (103) practiced in the imitation of God and Christ, and is no less

demanding and real than any other genuine love. (l04) It gives the priest a limitless horizon, deepens and gives breadth

to his sense of responsibility—a mark of mature personality—and inculcates in him, as a sign of a higher and greater

fatherhood, a generosity and refinement of heart (105) which offer a superlative enrichment.The Testimony of Total

Dedication57. All the People of God must give testimony to the mystery of Christ and His kingdom, but this witnessing

does not take the same form for all. The Church leaves to her married children the function of giving the necessary

testimony of a genuinely and fully Christian married and family life. She entrusts to her priests the testimony of a life

wholly dedicated to pondering and seeking the new and delightful realities of God's kingdom.If this means that the priest

is without a direct personal experience of married life, he nevertheless will be able through his training, his ministry and

the grace of his office, to gain even deeper insights into every human yearning. This will allow him to meet problems of

this kind at their source and give solid support by his advice and assistance to married persons and Christian

families.(106) For the Christian family, the example of the priest who is living his life of celibacy to the full will underscore

the spiritual dimension of every love worthy of the name, and his personal sacrifice will merit for the faithful united in the

holy bond of matrimony the grace of a true union.The Priest and Solitude58. By reason of his celibacy the priest is a man

alone: that is true, but his solitude is not meaningless emptiness because it is filled with God and the brimming riches of

His kingdom. Moreover, he has prepared himself for this solitude—which should be an internal and external plenitude of

charity—if he has chosen it with full understanding, and not through any proud desire to be different from the rest of men,

or to withdraw himself from common responsibilities, or to alienate himself from his brothers, or to show contempt for the

world. Though set apart from the world, the priest is not separated from the People of God, because he has been

"appointed to act on behalf of men," (107) since he is "consecrated" completely to charity (108) and to the work for which

the Lord has chosen him. (109)The Loneliness of Christ59. At times loneliness will weigh heavily on the priest, but he will

not for that reason regret having generously chosen it. Christ, too, in the most tragic hours of His life was

alone—abandoned by the very ones whom He had chosen as witnesses to, and companions of, His life, and whom He

had loved "to the end" (110)—but He stated, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me." (111) He who has chosen to

belong completely to Christ will find, above all, in intimacy with Him and in His grace, the power of spirit necessary to

banish sadness and regret and to triumph over discouragement. He will not be lacking the protection of the Virgin Mother

of .Jesus nor the motherly solicitude of the Church, to whom he has given himself in service. He will not be without the

kindly care of his father in Christ, his bishop; nor will the fraternal companionship of his fellow priests and the love of the

entire People of God, most fruitful of consolations, be lacking to him. And if hostility, lack of confidence and the

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indifference of his fellow men make his solitude quite painful, he will thus be able to share, with dramatic clarity, the very

experience of Christ, as an apostle who must not be "greater than he who sent him," (112) as a friend admitted to the

most painful and most glorious secret of his divine Friend who has chosen him to bring forth the mysterious fruit of life in

his own life, which is only apparently one of death. (ll3)II. PRIESTLY FORMATION60. Our reflection on the beauty,

importance and intimate fittingness of holy virginity for the ministers of Christ and His Church makes it incumbent on

those who hold the office of teacher and pastor of that Church to take steps to assure and promote its positive

observance, from the first moment of preparation to receive such a precious gift.In fact, the difficulties and problems

which make the observance of chastity very painful or quite impossible for some, spring, not infrequently, from a type of

priestly formation which, given the great changes of these last years, is no longer completely adequate for the formation

of a personality worthy of a "man of God." (114)Carrying Out the Council's Norms61. The Second Vatican Council has

already indicated wise criteria and guidelines to this end. They are in conformity with the progress of psychology and

pedagogy, as well as with the changed conditions of mankind and of contemporary society. (115) It is Our wish that

appropriate instructions be drawn up with the help of truly qualified men, treating with all necessary detail the theme of

chastity. They should be sent out as soon as possible to provide competent and timely assistance to those who have the

great responsibility within the Church of preparing future priests.Personal Response to the Divine Vocation62. The

priesthood is a ministry instituted by Christ for the service of His Mystical Body which is the Church. To her belongs the

authority to admit to that priesthood those whom she judges qualified—that is, those to whom God has given, along with

other signs of an ecclesiastical vocation, the gift of a consecrated celibacy. (116)In virtue of such a gift, confirmed by

canon law, the individual is called to respond with free judgment and total dedication, adapting his own mind and outlook

to the will of God who calls him. Concretely, this divine calling manifests itself in a given individual with his own definite

personality structure which is not at all overpowered by grace. In candidates for the priesthood, therefore, the sense of

receiving this divine gift should be cultivated; so too, a sense of responsibility in their meeting with God, with the highest

importance given to supernatural means.63. It is likewise necessary that exact account be taken of the physical and

psychological state of the candidate in order to guide and orient him toward the priestly ideal; so a truly adequate

formation should harmoniously coordinate grace and nature in the man in whom one clearly sees the proper conditions

and qualifications. These conditions should be ascertained as soon as signs of his holy vocation are first indicated—not

hastily or superficially, but carefully, with the assistance and aid of a doctor or a competent psychologist. A serious

investigation of hereditary factors should not be omitted.Unsuitable Candidates64. Those who are discovered to be unfit

for physical, psychological or moral reasons should be quickly removed from the path to the priesthood. Let educators

appreciate that this is one of their very grave duties. They must neither indulge in false hopes and dangerous illusions nor

permit the candidate to nourish these hopes in any way, with resultant damage to himself or to the Church. The life of the

celibate priest, which engages the whole man so totally and so delicately, excludes in fact those of insufficient physical,

psychic and moral qualifications. Nor should anyone pretend that grace supplies for the defects of nature in such a

man.65. After the capability of a man has been ascertained and he has been admitted to the course of studies leading to

the goal of the priesthood, care should be taken for the progressive development of a mature personality through

physical, intellectual and moral education directed toward the control and personal dominion of his temperament,

sentiments and passions.The Necessity of Discipline66. This will be proved by the firmness of the spirit with which he

accepts the personal and community type of discipline demanded by the priestly life. Such a regime, the lack or

deficiency of which is to be deplored because it exposes the candidate to grave disorders, should not be borne only as

an imposition from without. It should be inculcated and implanted as an indispensable component within the context of

the spiritual life.Personal Initiative67. The educator should skillfully stimulate the young man to the evangelical virtue of

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sincerity (117) and to spontaneity by approving every good personal initiative, so that the young man will come to know

and properly evaluate himself, wisely assume his own responsibilities, and train himself to that self-control which is of

such importance in priestly education.68. The exercise of authority, the principle of which should be maintained firmly, will

be animated by wise moderation and a pastoral attitude. It will be used in a climate of dialogue and will be implemented

in a gradual way which will afford the educator an ever deepening understanding of the psychology of the young man,

and will appeal to personal conviction.A Free Choice69. The complete education of the candidate for the priesthood

should be directed to help him acquire a tranquil, convinced and free choice of the grave responsibilities which he must

assume in conscience before God and the Church. Ardor and generosity are marvelous qualities of youth; illuminated

and supported, they merit, along with the blessing of the Lord, the admiration and confidence of the whole Church as well

as of all men. None of the real personal and social difficulties which their choice will bring in its train should remain

hidden to the young men, so that their enthusiasm will not be superficial and illusory. At the same time it will be right to

highlight with at least equal truth and clarity the sublimity of their choice, which, though it may lead on the one hand to a

certain physical and psychic void, nevertheless on the other brings with it an interior richness capable of elevating the

person most profoundly.A Demanding Asceticism70. Young candidates for the priesthood should be convinced that they

cannot follow their difficult way without a special type of asceticism proper to themselves and more demanding than that

which is required of the other faithful. It will be a demanding asceticism but not a suffocating one which consists in the

deliberate and assiduous practice of those virtues which make a man a priest: self-denial in the highest degree—an

essential condition if one would follow Christ; (118) humility and obedience as expressions of internal truth and of an

ordered liberty; prudence, justice, courage and temperance—virtues without which it is impossible for true and profound

religious life to exist; a sense of responsibility, fidelity and loyalty in the acceptance of one's obligations; a balance

between contemplation and action; detachment and a spirit of poverty, which will give tone and vigor to evangelical

freedom; chastity, the result of a persevering struggle, harmonized with all the other natural and supernatural virtues; a

serene and secure contact with the world to whose service the young man will dedicate himself for Christ and for His

kingdom.In such a way the aspirant to the priesthood will acquire, with the help of a divine grace, a strong, mature and

balanced personality, a combination of inherited and acquired qualities, harmony of all his powers in the light of the faith

and in intimate union with Christ, whom he has chosen for himself and for the ministry of salvation to the world.Trial

Periods71. However, to judge with more certainty the young man's fitness for the priesthood and to have successive

proofs of his attained maturity on both the human and supernatural levels—for "it is more difficult to conduct oneself

correctly in the service of souls because of dangers coming from outside" (119)—it will be advisable to have a preliminary

trial period before the observance of holy celibacy becomes something definitive and permanent through ordination to the

priesthood. (120)A Gift to the Lord and His Church72. Once moral certainty has been obtained that the maturity of the

candidate is sufficiently guaranteed, he will be in a position to take on himself the heavy and sweet burden of priestly

chastity as a total gift of himself to the Lord and to His Church.In this way, the obligation of celibacy, which the Church

makes a condition of Holy Orders, is accepted by the candidate through the influence of divine grace and with full

reflection and liberty, and, as is evident, not without the wise and prudent advice of competent spiritual directors who are

concerned not to impose the choice, but rather to dispose the candidate to make it more consciously. Hence, in that

solemn moment when the candidate will decide once and for his whole life, he will not feel the weight of an imposition

from outside, but rather the interior joy that accompanies a choice made for the love of Christ.THE PRIESTLY LIFE73.

The priest must not think that ordination makes everything easy for him and screens him once and for all from every

temptation or danger. Chastity is not acquired all at once but results from a laborious conquest and daily affirmation. Our

world today stresses the positive values of love between the sexes but has also multiplied the difficulties and risks in this

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sphere. In order to safeguard his chastity with all care and affirm its sublime meaning, the priest must consider clearly

and calmly his position as a man exposed to spiritual warfare against seductions of the flesh in himself and in the world,

continually renewing his resolution to give an ever increasing and ever better perfection to the irrevocable offering of

himself which obliges him to a fidelity that is complete, loyal and real.74. Christ's priest will daily receive new strength and

joy as he deepens in meditation and prayer the motives for his gift and the conviction that he has chosen the better part.

He will ask humbly and perseveringly for the grace of fidelity, never denied to those who ask it sincerely. At the same

time he will use the natural and supernatural means at his disposal. In particular he will not disregard those ascetical

norms which have been substantiated by the Church's experience and are no less necessary in modern circumstances

than in former times. (121)Intense Spiritual Life75. The priest should apply himself above all else to developing, with all

the love grace inspires in him, his close relationship with Christ, and exploring this inexhaustible and enriching mystery;

he should also acquire an ever deeper sense of the mystery of the Church. There would be the risk of his state of life

seeming unreasonable and unfounded if it is viewed apart from this mystery.Priestly piety, nourished at the table of God's

word and the Holy Eucharist, lived within the cycle of the liturgical year, inspired by a warm and enlightened devotion to

the Virgin Mother of the supreme and eternal High Priest and Queen of the Apostles, (122) will bring him to the source of

a true spiritual life which alone provides a solid foundation for the observance of celibacy.The Spirit of the Priestly

Ministry76. In this way the priest, with grace and peace in his heart, will face with generosity the manifold tasks of his life

and ministry. If he performs these with faith and zeal he will find in them new occasions to show that he belongs entirely

to Christ and His Mystical Body, for his own sanctification and the sanctification of others. The charity of Christ which

urges him on, (123) will help him not to renounce his higher feelings but to elevate and deepen them in a spirit of

consecration in imitation of Christ the High Priest, who shared intimately in the life of men, loved and suffered for them,

(l24) and of Paul the Apostle who shared in the cares of all (125) in order to bring the light and power of the Gospel of

God's grace to shine in the world. (126)77. Rightly jealous of his full self-giving to the Lord, the priest should know how to

guard against emotional tendencies which give rise to desires not sufficiently enlightened or guided by the Spirit. He

should beware of seeing spiritual or apostolic pretexts for what are in fact dangerous inclinations of the heart.Virile

Asceticism78. The priestly life certainly requires an authentic spiritual intensity in order to live by the Spirit; (127) it

requires a truly virile asceticism—both interior and exterior—in one who, belonging in a special way to Christ, has in Him

and through Him "crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," (128) not hesitating to face arduous and lengthy trials

in order to do so. (l29) In this way Christ's minister will be the better able to show to the world the fruits of the Spirit, which

are "charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity.''

(l30)The Brotherhood of Priests79. Moreover, priestly chastity is increased, guarded and defended by a way of life,

surroundings and activity suited to a minister of God. For this reason the "close sacramental brotherhood (131) which all

priests enjoy in virtue of their ordination must be fostered to the utmost. Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught the urgency of

the new commandment of charity. He gave a wonderful example of it when He instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist

and the Catholic priesthood, (l32) and prayed to His Heavenly Father that the love the Father bore for Him from all

eternity should be in His ministers and that He too should be in them. (133)80. So the unity of spirit among priests should

be active in their prayers, friendship and help of all kinds for one another. Ore cannot sufficiently recommend to priests a

life lived in common and directed entirely toward their sacred ministry; the practice of having frequent meetings with a

fraternal exchange of ideas, counsel and experience with their brother priests; the movement to form associations which

encourage priestly holiness.Charity For Fellow Priests81. Priests should reflect on the advice of the Council, (134) which

reminds them of their common sharing in the priesthood so that they may feel a lively responsibility for fellow priests

troubled by difficulties which gravely endanger the divine gift they have. They should have a burning charity for those who

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have greater need of love, understanding and prayer, who have need of prudent but effective help, and who have a claim

on their unbounded charity as those who are, and should be, their truest friends.82. Venerable brothers in the

episcopacy, priest and ministers of the altar, by way of completing and leaving a remembrance of this written

conversation with you, we should like to suggest this resolution to you: that on the anniversary of his ordination, or on

Holy Thursday when all are united in spirit commemorating the mystery of the institution of the priesthood, each one

should renew his total gift of himself to Christ our Lord; reviving in this way the awareness that He has chosen you for His

divine service, and repeating at the same time, humbly and courageously, the promise of our unswerving faithfulness to

His love alone in your offering of perfect chastity. (l35)LAMENTABLE DEFECTIONS83. Now, with fatherly love and

affection, Our heart turns anxiously and with deep sorrow to those unfortunate priests who always remain Our dearly

beloved brothers and whose absenceWe keenly regret. We speak of those who, retaining the sacred character conferred

by their priestly ordination, have nonetheless been sadly unfaithful to the obligations they accepted when ordained.Their

sad state and its consequences to priests and to others move some to wonder if celibacy is not in some way responsible

for such dramatic occurrences and for the scandals they inflict on God's People. In fact, the responsibility falls not on

consecrated celibacy in itself but on a judgment of the fitness of the candidate of the priesthood which was not always

adequate or prudent at the proper time, or else it falls on the way in which sacred ministers live their life of total

consecration.Reasons for Dispensations84. The Church is very conscious of the sad state of these sons of hers and

judges it necessary to make every effort to avert or to remedy the wounds she suffers by their defection. Following the

example of Our immediate predecessors, We also have, in cases concerning ordination to the priesthood, been prepared

to allow inquiry to extend beyond the provisions of the present canon law (l36) to other very grave reasons which give

ground for really solid doubts regarding the full freedom and responsibility of the candidate for the priesthood and his

fitness for the priestly state. This has been done to free those who, on careful judicial consideration of their case, are

seen to be really unsuited.The Church's Concern85. The dispensations which are granted after such considerations—a

minimal percentage when they are compared with the great number of good, worthy priests—provide in justice for the

spiritual salvation of the individual and show at the same time the Church's concern to safeguard celibacy and the

complete fidelity of all her ministers. In granting such dispensations the Church always acts with heartfelt regret,

especially in the particularly lamentable cases in which refusal to bear worthily this sweet yoke of Christ results from

crises in faith, or moral weakness, and is thus frequently a failure in responsibility and a source of scandal to the

Christian people.86. If these priests knew how much sorrow, dishonor and unrest they bring to the holy Church of God, if

they reflected on the seriousness and beauty of their obligations and on the dangers to which they are exposed in this life

and in the next, there would be greater care and reflection in their decisions; they would pray more assiduously and show

greater courage and logic in forestalling the causes of their spiritual and moral collapse.87. Mother Church takes

particular interest in what befalls young priests who, no matter how great the zeal and enthusiasm with which they

entered the sacred ministry, have nevertheless been troubled later on in performing their duties by feelings of

hopelessness, doubt, desire, or folly. Hence, especially in these circumstances, it is the wish of the Church that every

persuasive means available be used to lead our brothers from this wavering state and restore to them peace of soul,

trust, penance, and their former zeal. It is only when no other solution can be found for a priest in this unhappy condition

that he should be relieved of his office.The Granting of Dispensations88. There are some whose priesthood cannot be

saved, but whose serious dispositions nevertheless give promise of their being able to live as good Christian lay people.

To these the Holy See, having studied all the circumstances with their bishops or with their religious superiors,

sometimes grants a dispensation, thus letting love conquer sorrow. In order, however, that her unhappy but always dear

son may have a salutary sign of her maternal grief and a keener remembrance of the universal need of God's mercy, in

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these cases she imposes some works of piety and reparation .Encouragement and Warning89. Inspiring this discipline,

which is at once severe and merciful, are justice and truth, prudence and reserve. It is without doubt a discipline which

will confirm good priests in their determination to live lives of purity and holiness. At the same time it will be a warning to

those aspiring to the priesthood. Guided by the wisdom of those who educate them, they will approach their priesthood

fully aware of its obligations and entirely forgetfully of self, responding generously to divine grace and the will of Christ

and His Church.90. Finally, and with deep joy, We thank our Lord because many priests who for a time had been

unfaithful to their obligations have again, with the grace of the High Priest, found the path and given joy to all by

becoming anew exemplary pastors. With admirable good will, they used all the means which were helpful to ensure their

return, especially an intense life of prayer, humility, persevering effort sustained by regular reception of the Sacrament of

Penance.THE BISHOP'S FATHERLINESS91. There is an irreplaceable and very effective means to ensure for our dear

priests an easier and happier way of being faithful to their obligations, and it is one which they have the right and duty to

find in you, venerable brother bishops. It was you who called them and destined them to be priests; it was you who

placed your hands on their heads; with you they are one in sharing the honor of the priesthood by virtue of the Sacrament

of Orders; it is you whom they make present in the community of the faithful; with you they are united in a spirit of trust

and generosity since, in as far as is compatible with their order, they take upon themselves your duties and concerns.

(137) In choosing a life dedicated to celibacy they follow the ancient examples of the prelates of the East and West; this

provides a new motive for union between bishop and priest and a sound hope that they will live together more closely.92.

The love which Jesus had for His Apostles showed itself very clearly when he made them ministers of His real and

Mystical Body; (138) and even you in whose person "Our Lord Jesus Christ, the high priest, is present in the midst of

those who believe," (139) know that you owe the best part of your hearts and pastoral care to your priests and to the

young men preparing to be priests. (l40) In no other way can you better show this conviction than in the conscious

responsibility and sincere and unconquerable love with which you preside over the education of your seminarians, and

help your priests in every way possible to remain faithful to their vocation and their duties.A Bishop's Kindness93. Your

fraternal and kindly presence must fill up in advance the human loneliness of the priest, which is so often the cause of his

discouragement and temptations. (141) Before being the superiors and judges of your priests, be their teachers, fathers,

friends, their good and kind brothers always ready to understand, to sympathize and to help. Encourage your priests in

every possible way to be your personal friends and to be very open with you. This will not weaken the relationship of

juridical obedience; rather it will transform it into pastoral love so that they will obey more willingly, sincerely and securely.

If they have a filial trust in you, your priests will be able in time to open up their souls and to confide their difficulties in you

in the certainty that they can rely on your kindness to be protected from eventual defeat, without a servile fear of

punishment, but in the filial expectation of correction, pardon and help, which will inspire them to resume their difficult

journey with a new confidence.Authority and Fatherliness94. Venerable brothers, all of you are certainly convinced that to

restore to the soul of a priest joy in and enthusiasm for his vocation, interior peace and salvation, is an urgent and

glorious ministry which has an incalculable influence on a multitude of souls. There will be times when you must exercise

your authority by showing a just severity toward those few who, after having resisted your kindness, by their conduct

cause scandal to the People of God; but you will take the necessary precautions to ensure their seeing the error of their

ways. Following the example of our Lord Jesus, "the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls," (142) do not crush the

"bruised reed" nor quench the "smoldering wick"; (l43) like Jesus, heal their wounds, (144) save what was lost; (145) with

eagerness and love go in search of the lost sheep and bring him back to the warmth of the sheepfold (146) and like Him,

try until the end (147) to call back the unfaithful friend.95. We are certain, venerable brothers, that you will leave nothing

undone to foster, by your teaching, prudence and pastoral zeal, the ideal of consecrated celibacy among your clergy. We

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are sure too that you will never neglect those priests who have strayed from the house of God, their true home, no matter

where their painful odyssey has led them; for they still remain your sons.ROLE OF THE FAITHFUL96. Priestly virtue is a

treasure that belongs to the whole Church. It is an enrichment and a splendor above the ordinary, which redounds to the

building up and the profit of the entire People of God. We wish therefore to address to all the faithful, Our children in

Christ, an affectionate and urgent exhortation. We wish that they too feel responsible for the virtue of t ho se brothers of

theirs who have undertaken the mission of serving them in the priesthood for the salvation of their souls. They should

pray and work for priestly vocations; they should help priests wholeheartedly, with filial love and ready collaboration; they

should have the firm intention of offering them the consolation of a joyous response to their pastoral labors. They should

encourage these, their fathers in Christ, to overcome the difficulties of every sort which they encounter as they fulfill their

duties, with entire faithfulness, to the edification of all. In a spirit of faith and Christian love, they should foster a deep

respect and a delicate reserve in their dealings with priests, on account of their condition as men entirely consecrated to

Christ and to the Church.Invitation to the Laity97. Our invitation goes out specially to those lay people who seek God with

greater earnestness and intensity, and strive after Christian perfection while living in the midst of their fellow men. By

their devoted and warm friendship they can be of great assistance to the Church's ministers since it is the laity, occupied

with temporal affairs while at the same time aiming at a more generous and perfect conformity to their baptismal

vocation, who are in a position, in many cases, to enlighten and encourage the priest. The integrity of his vocation, one

that plunges him into the mystery of Christ and the Church, can suffer harm from various circumstances and from

contamination by a destructive worldliness. In this way the whole People of God will honor Christ our Lord in those who

represent Him and of whom He has said: "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who

sent me," (148) promising an assured reward to anyone who in any way shows charity toward those whom He has sent.

(149)CONCLUSION98. Venerable brothers, pastors of God's flock throughout the world, and dearly beloved priests, Our

sons and brothers: as We come to the end of this letter which We have addressed to you, We invite you, with a soul

responsive to Christ's great love, to turn your eyes and heart with renewed confidence and filial hope to the most loving

Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, and to invoke for the Catholic priesthood her powerful and maternal

intercession. In her the People of God admire and venerate the image of the Church, and model of faith, charity and

perfect union with Him. May Mary Virgin and Mother obtain for the Church, which also is hailed as virgin and mother,

(150) to rejoice always, though with due humility, in the faithfulness of her priests to the sublime gift of holy virginity they

have received, and to see it flourishing and appreciated ever more and more in every walk of life, so that the army of

those who "follow the divine Lamb wherever He goes'' (151) may increase throughout the earth.99. The Church

proclaims her hope in Christ; she is conscious of the critical shortage of priests when compared with the spiritual

necessities of the world's population; but she is confident in her expectation which is founded on the infinite and

mysterious power of grace, that the high spiritual quality of her ministers will bring about an increase also in their

numbers, for everything is possible to God. (l52)In this faith and in this hope, may the apostolic blessing which we impart

with all Our heart be for all a pledge of heavenly graces and the testimony of Our fatherly affection.Given at Rome, at St.

Peter's, June 24, 1967, the feast of St. John the Baptist, in the fifth year of Our pontificate.PAUL

NOTESLATIN TEXT: Acta Apostolicae Sedis, 59 (1967), 657-97.ENGLISH TRANSLATION: The Pope Speaks, 12

(Summer,1967), 291-319.REFERENCES:(1) See letter of Oct. 10, 1965, to Cardinal Tisserant, read in the general

session of the next day.(2) See Mt 19. 11-12.(3) See 1 Tm 3. 2-5; Ti 1. 5-6.(4) See Second Vatican Council, Decree on

the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, no. 35: AAS 58 (1966), 690 [TPS XI, 195-96]; Decree on the Apostolate of

the Laity, no. 1: AAS 58 (1966), 837 [TPS XI, 119-20]; Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, nos. 10 ff.: AAS 58

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(1966), 1007-08 [TPS XI, 455-56]; Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, nos. 19, 38; AAS 58 (1966), 969, 984

[TPS XI, 426, 437-38].(5) Mt 19. 11.(6) Jn 4. 10.(7) See Mt 5. 13-14.(8) See above, nos. 5 and 7 [pp. 292-93].(9) Second

Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the World of Today, no. 62: AAS 58 (1966), 1082 [TPS XI,

300].(10) See Eph 5. 25-27.(11) Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015 [TPS XI, 461].(12)

Ibid.(13) See Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, no. 8: AAS 58 (1966), 820 [TPS XI,

75-76.].(14) See Jn 16. 13.(15) Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 28: AAS 57 (1965),

33-36 [TPS X, 378-79]; Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 2: AAS 58 (1966), 991-93 [TPS XI, 442-44].(16) See

1 Cor 4. 1.(17) See 1 Cor 11. 1.(18) See Jn 3. 5; Ti 3. 5.(19) See Jn 4. 34; 17. 4.(20) See 2 Cor 5. 17; Gal 6. 15.(21) See

Gal 3. 28.(22) See Gn 2. 18.(23) See Mt 19. 3-8.(24) See Jn 2. 1-11.(25) See Eph 5. 32.(26) Heb 8. 6.(27) See 1 Cor 7.

33-35.(28) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015-17 [TPS XI, 461-62].(29) Mt 13.

11.; see Mk 4. 11; Lk 8. 10.(30) See 2 Cor 5. 20.(31) See Jn 15. 15; 20. 17.(32) Ibid., 17. 19.(33) See Lk 18. 29-30.(34)

See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015-17 [TPS XI, 461 -62].(35) See Mt 19. 11.(36)

Ibid., 19. 12.(37) See Lk 18. 29-30.(38) Mk 10. 29-30.(39) Mt 19. 29.(40) See Jn 3. 16; 15, 13.(41) See Mk 10. 21.(42)

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 42: AAS 57 (1965), 48 [TPS X, 388].(43) Phil 3.12.(44) See Eph 5.25-27.(45)

Jn 1, 13.(46) See Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 42: AAS 57 (1965), 48 [TPS X, 388]; Decree on the Priestly

Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015-17 [TPS XI, 461-62].(47) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no.

14: AAS 58 (1966), 1013 [TPS XI, 459-60].(48) See Lk 2.49; 1 Cor 7.32-33.(49) See Heb 9.24; 7.25.(50) Decree on the

Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 13: AAS 58 (1966), 1012 [TPS XI, 458-59].(51) See Acts 6. 4.(52) Decree on the Priestly

Ministry and Life, no. 5: AAS 58 (1966), 997 [TPS XI, 447].(53) Jn 12. 24-25.(54) See 1 Cor 15. 31.(55) See Second

Vatican Council, Decree on Training for the Priesthood, no. 10: AAS 58 (1966), 719-20 [TPS XI, 23-24].(56) See 2 Cor

12.15.(57) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015-17 [TPS XI, 461 -62].(58) See Jn

17. 18.(59) See Rom 1. 14.(60) Jn 18. 36.(61) See Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the World of Today, no. 39:

AAS 58 (1966), 1056-57 [TPS XI, 282-83].(62) See Dogmatic Constitution on the Church , no . 5: AAS 57 (1965), 7-8

[TPS X, 361].(63) See Phil 3. 20.(64) See 1 Jn 3. 2.(65) See Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 48: AAS 57

(1965), 53-54 [TPS X, 391-92].(66) Mt 22. 30.(67) See 1 Jn 2. 16.(68) Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Adaptation

and Renewal of the Religious Life, no. 12: AAS 58 (1966), 107 [TPS XI, 147].(69) See 1 Cor 7. 29-31.(70) Col 3. 1-4.(71)

See tertullian, De exhort. castitatis, 13: PL 2. 930; St. Epiphanius, Adv. Haer. II, 48.9 and 59.4: PG 41.869, 1025; St.

Efrem, Carmina nisibena, XVIII, XIX: ed. G. Bickell, Leipzig (1866), p. 122; Eusebius of Caesarea, Demonstr. evan., 1.9:

PG 22.81; St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Catechesis, 12.25: PG 33.757; St. Ambrose, De officiis ministr., 1.50: PL 16.97 ff.; St.

Augustine, De moribus Eccl. cath., 1.32: PL 32.1339; St. Jerome, Adversus Vigilantium, 2: PL 23.340-41; Bishop

Synesius of Ptolemais, Epist. 105: PG 66.1485.(72) First done at the Council of Elvira, c. 300, can. 33: Mansi II, 11.(73)

Sess. XXIV, can. 9-10.(74) Can. 132, §1.(75) See St. Pius X, apost. exhortation Haerent animo: AAS 41 (1908), 555-57;

Benedict XV, letter to Francis Kordac, Archbishop of Prague: AAS 12 (1920), 57-58; consistorial address, Dec. 16, 1920:

AAS 12 (1920), 585-88; Pius XI, encyc.letter Ad catholici sacerdotii: AAS 28 (1936), 24-30; Pius XII, apost. exhortation

Menti Nostrae: AAS 42(1950), 657-702; encyc.letter Sacra virginitas: AAS 46 (1954), 161-91 [TPS 1, 101-23]; John XXIII,

encyc. letter Sacerdotii Nostri primordia: AAS51 (1959), ;54-56 [TPS VI, 14-16].(76) Second address, Jan. 26, 1960: AAS

52 (1960), 226.(77) Can. 6, 12, 13, 48: Mansi XI, 944-48, 965.(78) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. l6:

AAS 58 (1966), 1015-16 [TPS XI, 461-62].(79) De Virginitate, 13: PG 381-82.(80) De Sacerdotio, 1, 111: PG 48. 642.22.

81 Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, nos. 21, 28, 64: AAS 57 (1965), 24-25; 33-36; 64 [TPS X, 372-73, 378-79,

398].23. (82) See above, no. 15.(83) See Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 29: AAS 57 (1965), 36 [TPS X,

380].(84) Ibid., 47-49 [TPS X, 387-88](85) Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 16: AAS 58 (1966), 1015-16 [TPS

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XI, 462].(86) See Decree on Training for the Priesthood, no. 2: AAS 58 (1966), 714-15 [TPS XI, 17-19]; Decree on the

Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 11: AAS 58 (1966), 1008-09 [TPS XI, 455-56].(87) See Rom 3. 23.(88) See 2 Cor 8. 23.(89)

See Eph 1. 6.(90) Phil 1. 8.(91) See Lk 12. 32.(92) See Mt 28. 20.(93) See Jn 16. 33.(94) See Mk 4. 26-29.(95) Mt 9. 37-

38.(96) See 1 Cor 1. 20-31.(97) See Phil 4. 13.(98) See 1 Cor 3. 67.(99) See above, no. 10.(100) Conf. X, 29, 40: PL 32.

796.(101) See above, no. 10.(102) Gn 1. 26-27.(103) See 1 Jn 4. 8-16.(104) Ibid., 3. 16-18.(105) See 1 Thes 2.11

1Cor.4.15; 1 Cor 6.13; Gal 4.19; 1 Tm 5.1-2.(106) See 1 Cor 2. 15.(107) Heb 5. 1.(108) See 1 Cor 14. 4 ff.(109) See

Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 3: AAS 58 (1966), 993-95 [TPS XI, 444-45].(110) Jn 13. 1.(111) Ibid., 16.

32.(112) See ibid., 13. 16; 15. 18.(113) See ibid., 15 15-16, 20.(114) See 1 Tm 6. 11.(115) See Decree on Training for

the Priesthood, nos. 3-11: AAS 58 (1966), 715-21 [TPS XI, 19-24]; Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of the

Religious Life, no. 12: AAS 58 (1966), 721 [TPS XI, 147].(116) See above, no. 15.(117) See Mt 5. 37.(118) See ibid., 16.

24; Jn 12. 25.(119) St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theol., II-II, q. 184, a. 8 c.(120) See Decree on Training for the

Priesthood, no. 12: AAS 58 (1966), 721 [TPS XI, 24-25].(121) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, nos. 16, 18:

AAS 58 (1966), 1015-16, 1019 [TPS XI, 461-62, 463-64].(122) Ibid., no. 18.(123) See 2 Cor 5. 14.(124) See Heb 4.

15.(125) See 1 Cor 9. 22; 2 Cor 11. 29.(126) See Acts 20. 24.(127) See Gal 5. 25.(128) Ibid., 5. 24.(129) See 1 Cor 9.

26-27.(130) Gal 5. 22-23.(131) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 8: AAS 58 (1966), 1003 [TPS XI,

452].(132) See Jn 13. 15 and 34-35.(133) Ibid., 17. 26.(134) See Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no. 8: AAS 58

(1966), 1003-05 [TPS XI, 452-53].(135) See Rom 12. 1.(136) See Code of Canon Law, can. 214.(137) See Dogmatic

Constitution on the Church, no. 28: AAS 57 (1965), 34-35 [TPS X, 378-79].(138) See Jn chaps. 13-17.(139) Dogmatic

Constitution on the Church, no. 21: AAS 57 (1965), 24 [TPS X, 372-73].(140) Decree on the Priestly Ministry and Life, no.

7: AAS 58 (1966), 1001-03 [TPS XI, 450-52].(141) See ibid.(142) 1 Pt 2. 25.(143) See Mt 12. 20.(144) See Lk 9. 11.(145)

See Mt 18. 11.(146) See Lk 15.4 ff.(147) Ibid., 22. 48.(148) Mt 10. 40.(149) See ibid., 10. 42.(150) Dogmatic Constitution

on the Church, nos. 63.64: AAS 57 (1965), 64 [TPS X, 398].(151) Ap 14. 4.(152) Mk 10, 27; see Lk 1. 37.