Besides the celibacy part, do nuns or priests ever feel lonely because they never get to experience love? Do they never feel a longing to be hugged, kissed, or cuddled?
2007-05-18 05:07:55 · 18 answers · asked by Graciela, RIRS 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My aunt is a nun.
I've posed a similar question to her.
The best I could get out of her is that she is very happy to serve God and that is all that matters.
2007-05-18 05:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by docscholl 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They get to experience love! Perhaps not the love between one man and one woman, but they experience love.
Diocesan priests tend to get lonelier than community priests and sisters (I believe "nuns" are cloistered; sisters are not.) since diocesan priests are not really part of a group. They tend to stay on their own except for meals. Community priests, such as the Franciscans, for example, and sisters are part of a group so they do, and are expected to, spend time together as a community.
From the friends I've discussed this with (I considered going into the convent at one time), they do long for such things but they have chosen to make the sacrifice to be able to do other things with their lives. Just as all of us sacrifice one thing so that we may do another, they have sacrificed couple intimacy to dedicate their lives to God.
I'd like to make it clear, however, that celibacy does not lead to pedophilia. Pedophiles will be pedophiles whether or not celibacy is required of them. There are many pedophiles who are married and victimize their own children.
2007-05-18 05:16:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure they do. I think the whole celibacy thing is overrated and should be done away with. Everyone has desires; that includes nuns and priests and when these desires are not fulfilled (in a married relationship of course) they build up and then you have issues like those child molestation cases.
2007-05-18 05:13:28 · answer #3 · answered by stakekawa 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
yes, they can get lonely but, they know that they truly have a friend in Jesus. It is few and far between that people find other people who have the same mindset as far as Jesus goes so alot gets hidden inside. Some even are fortunate enough to be able to speak with him as regular people converse, although you very rarely hear about that as those people are usually named Saints later. This is something that made Mother Theresa so great is that she had some pretty great graces early in her vocation but, for the most part she struggles her entire life with a feeling of dryness. It seemed that she hardly ever felt the Lord's attention but, she continued in her labors with great love because she was humble and she knew it was for her own good somehow. I guess toward the end of her life she was rewarded with great consolation!
2007-05-18 05:34:48 · answer #4 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So you are unaware that several nuns in St. James' parish
gave birth to children fathered by priests? Dont make me cry!
2013-11-21 00:35:40 · answer #5 · answered by Spurgeon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at a convent and I can tell you first hand that you will never find a stronger community than what there is here.
I am sure they do get lonely, but then, we all do. The difference is, they are never really alone.
Also, they hug everyone hello and goodbye and are very gregarious.
2007-05-18 05:18:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The answer is that yes sometimes they do after all they are human beings who were brought up in a family situation, but generally they offer this sacrifice as part of their holy calling.
2007-05-18 05:13:24 · answer #7 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The orphanages that priests and nuns run...where do you think the some (not all) children from the orphanages come from?
((Not all priests and nuns do that.))
Peace be with you.
2007-05-18 05:18:56 · answer #8 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They probably miss a physical touch, but why would they get lonely when their best friend is The Creator of Everything Good and Loving.
2007-05-18 05:13:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
From what I have read in the papers I would say they have ways of relieving the boredom and lonely feelings within the organization?
2007-05-18 05:15:49 · answer #10 · answered by S.O.S. 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋