Survey reveals Irish priests split over celibacy

A NEW study on Irish priests’ views of celibacy and obedience has revealed a split in the attitudes of younger and older priests, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

Thirty-Three Good Men: Celibacy, Obedience and Identity, a study based on research conducted by sociologist Dr John Weafer, shows that older  priests struggle  to see any positive side to celibacy while younger priests regard it as key.

Dr Weafer’s study offers an insight into the lives of 33 Irish diocesan priests and former priests during the period 1960–2010. He told The Tablet that while most of the priests he interviewed lived celibate lives, not all did; and some were  disillusioned.

Those most enthusiastic about its retention are younger, more conservative priests.

Meanwhile the Irish Episcopal Conference on Wednesday issued a pastoral statement, “The Meaning of Marriage”, to set out the Church’s understanding of marriage as between a man and a woman in response to the Government’s proposal to extend marriage to same-sex couples, to be put to a referendum next year.