John Kass pays tribute in the Chicago Tribune to Father Bill Chiganos, a Greek Orthodox priest celebrating his 50th year of service to the same parish. The years weren't always easy, and there were a few times when Father Bill nearly left the priesthood. Here's one of them:
"I walked the halls at Mayo Clinic at 3 a.m. and said, 'Hey, I'm a priest. Lord, why don't you give me a break? It's our daughter. Can't you do something?' And I was angry, and after she died, I became a little bitter. But it's part of the process. You go through all these emotions. Did it help me? I would later meet people in their own suffering. You don't give them theology when they're suffering. And then they would say, 'You know how it is, Father.' And I would say, 'Now I understand, Lord. Why should I complain? You gave your only son.' "He and his wife, Presvytera Effie have three other children and 12 grandchildren.
"She's my caregiver," he said of Effie. "A few years ago, I had to replace a heart valve. Then it was prostate cancer. Now it's leukemia. I'm dead without her. And over the years, I sometimes feel I've abused time with her, too. That I should have spent more time with her and my kids. I didn't see their Little League games, and so on. But there are two sides to the coin.
"There has been so much joy here at Holy Apostles, I just can't leave."
You don't give them theology when they are suffering. Wise, that.
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"You know how it is." So true.
I think this article points out one of the problems with the RC idea of a celibate priesthood. It's just too hard for someone who has never been married to relate to the demands of marriage and children that face most of their congregation.
Ken we agree families need experience of the living God to ease their burdens, as Jesus says "my yoke is easy and my burden light."
An exclusive friendship with Jesus that time in prayer and study can develop is what a celibate priest can pass on.
Jesus and the apostles had a particular vocation that is different but complimentary to the married vocation. I don't think we need to collapse the distinctions, nor should we take them to extremes but find a happy middle ground.
I'm sure PBXVI knows exactly what to do about this. He is a living treasure. Just what we would expect Grace to provide during these times.
Sorry not 'middle ground' but 'third way'.
Re: Jesus and the apostles had a particular vocation that is different but complimentary to the married vocation.
Um, some of the Apostles were married. And the Apostles were the first bishops, so this argument speaks to epsicopal celibacy, not to the celibacy of the priesthood.
We'll sort all that out when we re-united Jon (assuming you're Orthodox). What a day that'll be!!
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