what with the bad rap priests get about sex abuse, plus they have to be celibate
2007-12-22 15:10:13 · 21 answers · asked by clarix 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You can pray for him and support him as he discerns his calling.
It's unfortunate that people blame ALL priests for the sins of a few criminals who tried to hide in the priesthood, but your friend is surely aware of it. He is going into that situation with his eyes wide open -- if he believes he can withstand the persecution, offering it up as a sacrifice to the Lord, then you should be supportive of him and do what you can to encourage him in the face of these trials.
As for celibacy, he already knows, that, too. If he is willing to make such a sacrifice for the Lord and His Church, who are you to tell him that Jesus isn't worth that kind of sacrifice?
Look, people always value the things that cost them the most, whether it's a garment or a car or a house or whatever. The same is true for the priesthood. Men have to give up their desire for marriage and a family, but if they do so willingly, gladly, it's because they know that answering the call to serve Jesus and His people as a priest is worth the price. The best thing that you can do is to acknowledge his sacrifice and support him.
Anyway, even if your friend decides tomorrow that he wants to be a priest, he still has to go through seminary and a long and -- hopefully --- careful discernment and formation process before he actually takes his vows. If he's wrong about this, it will be discovered in plenty of time. But if he's right, you should help and not hinder him.
2007-12-26 05:25:18 · answer #1 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is what he really wants to do then he should do it. All religions are being attack now. Some priests have given the catholics a bad name, but not all are bad. He may want to be celibate. You can pray and ask God to show him if that is what His plan is for your friends life. If he chooses to do that, be a good friend and support him.
2007-12-22 23:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Do what a real friend would do and SUPPORT his choice to enter the priesthood. The man wants to devout his life to God as a clergyman - even in spite of the bad rap priests have because of the clergy sex scandal. And, think about it. A man who wants to devout his life to God so much that he is willing to VOLUNTARILY life a celibate life - this is something to be respected, not scoffed at.
2007-12-24 10:51:43 · answer #3 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Celibacy is not the end of his life. The sex abuse is a fraction of the priest (the media makes it sound a lot bigger), but the best way to reform a system is from within. Soooo...why not get more good candidates in there and sex abuse might go down.
2007-12-22 23:15:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
being celibate for the Lord is a good thing, but who ever chooses to make that vow to the Lord must check himself first before he makes any vow to the Lord, that is a very serous thing and that person has to do allot of persistent prayer about what he or she wants to do for the Lord. it's always bad to break a vow to the Lord, i was so devoted about being celibate for life for the Lord, i thought that's what he wanted for me, but he knows our hearts, he knows us better than we know ourselves, so the Lord showed me that i was to have a husband someday, to be celibate till that day of marriage when i become one w/ my husband in the Lord. he knew my heart and showed me that. ask your friend , what reasons does he have for becoming a priest. also, has he grown spiritually mature enough to be able to fulfill that position and accomplish it? it's not about him passing some courses about what man teaches or however they do that. you are to learn from the Lord through his holy spirit within you, guiding you, helping you bear good fruit and to be Christ-like. it's not about JUST following rules, you have to ALSO grow in his love. when you love him , you also will obey him. remembers the pharisees , they were doing the law all mechanically and not with their hearts. it's something they did routinely with no love in their hearts.
you should help your friend w/ lots of prayer and loving kindness. i hope your friend asks the Lord what he should do and WAIT on the Lord for an answer. i hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful new year! =0)
2007-12-22 23:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by fully_alive888 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a very personal decision between your friend and God. Leave him alone and don't question his belief. If he is truly feeling called to the priesthood, the best thing that you can do as his friend is support him. A calling from God is a hard thing to ignore.
2007-12-22 23:17:18 · answer #6 · answered by KitKat 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
What's your problem with your friend becoming a priest? Do you want to marry him?
2007-12-22 23:15:00 · answer #7 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
why can't you just be a good friend and be supportive. you don't have to like someone's decissions, but you don't have to try to change their minds, either. a good friend would be supportive.
2007-12-23 00:15:20 · answer #8 · answered by knit gangsta 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could pay attention to your own affairs, mind your own business, and read a few books on boundary issues for beginners
2007-12-22 23:14:40 · answer #9 · answered by Jack P 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Mind your own business.
2007-12-22 23:13:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋