Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 92 No. 3, 2022.
Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.92.3.8
The Canonical-Legal Shaping of Celibacy as a Prophetic Charisma
Josip Horvat
orcid.org/0009-0007-7255-962X
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The author begins by stating the fact that the discourse on priestly celibacy and on the sense of its obligatoriness in the Catholic Church needs to at least try to answer some fundamental questions: Is celibacy a mere ecclesiastical, canonical-legal, disciplinary directive that was introduced in a given historical moment, or is its source something else or Someone else? What are the (non-) justifications on the basis of which the Magisterium continues »to insist« even today, despite all challenges and problems that the Church faces at the turn of the epoch, on the complete abstinence of her ministerial officials for the Kingdom of God, although it is theologically entirely clear that celibacy is not a constitutive element of the holy orders? According to the conciliar and postconciliar doctrine, the priestly celibacy has its source in three different areas: in the gift of the Holy Spirit – charisma, in the free and loving response of a candidate who takes upon himself the Gospel counsel through the act of public promise in the moment of receiving the holy order of deacon, and, finally, in the can. 277 of the Code of Canon Law, i.e., in canonical-legal institutionalisation related to the theological, spiritual, and pastoral appropriateness that the Church, led by the Holy Spirit, sees between celibacy and the holy orders, and which is also supported by that same Spirit in its execution. Therefore, celibacy concerns primarily the moral obligation that is established by the theological order, insofar as its source is the special relation between God who calls and the person who responds, and only secondarily is that relation »ratified« in the canonical-legal, disciplinary obligation that carries its own rights and duties. The Church continues to see celibacy as a kind of ecclesiastical dowry or privilege that is not absolute or unchangeable, but nevertheless wisely instituted, positively recognised, historically accredited, and, despite all challenges, experientially still credible. It is important not to separate celibacy from other Gospel counsels (poverty and obedience), virtues, and dimensions of priestly life. All these dimensions have to be in constant dialogue, while not leaving on the side the need for style and discernment in everyday life that demands much needed prudence – debita prudentia. In his fatherly figure, the diocesan bishop has to take care, primarily, of the formation of priestly candidates and a healthy selection of candidates for the holy orders, but he should also never lose sight of caring for the lives of his priests and be of help to them as they strive to fulfil their obligations by using all means that are available to him.
Ključne riječi
celibacy; charisma; canonical-legal directive; formation of priests; diocesan bishop
Hrčak ID:
295710
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.3.2023.
Posjeta: 440 *