Should Catholic Priests Marry? An Intense 1968 Debate As A Priest Left The Church To Marry

This debate took place on national television in late 1968. It was provoked by the actions of father Bob Brusso whose church was in Oklahoma City.

The 1960s was a decade of immense change and challenges for the Catholic Church in the USA and worldwide.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was major in the Catholic Church's history. By 1967, the Church in the USA was grappling with the implementation of the Council's decrees. These included the introduction of the vernacular in the Mass instead of Latin, greater lay participation, and an increased focus on ecumenism. The changes sparked both enthusiasm and resistance among the faithful.

Birth Control and "Humanae Vitae": Although Pope Paul VI's encyclical "Humanae Vitae" was released in 1968, discussions and expectations about the Church's stance on birth control were intense in the years leading up to its release. The encyclical reaffirmed the Church's opposition to artificial contraception, a stance that was controversial both within and outside the Church.

The Civil Rights Movement in the USA was at its height during the 1960s. While many Catholics and Catholic organizations supported the movement, the Church also had to confront its own issues with racism and segregation.

The Vietnam War and the growing anti-war movement posed moral and ethical challenges for American Catholics. The Church was divided, with some members and clergy supporting the war for anti-communist reasons and others opposing it based on principles of peace and justice.

There was a notable decline in vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the USA.

The 1960s saw increased efforts towards ecumenical dialogue with other Christian denominations and interfaith dialogue with non-Christian religions. This was a new and sometimes challenging territory for the Church in the USA.

With all these changes and challenges, there was a broader question of authority and dissent within the Church. Some Catholics openly dissented from Church teachings, leading to tensions between different groups within the Church.

In the 1960s, the question of clerical celibacy and the possibility of priests marrying became a topic of debate and discussion within the Catholic Church as this video clip shows.

The tradition of clerical celibacy in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church has ancient roots. Those advocating for maintaining the status quo argued that it is a venerable tradition that reflects Christ's own celibate life and allows priests to fully dedicate themselves to the Church. On the other hand, proponents of change pointed out that celibacy was not universally practiced in the early Church and that the Eastern Catholic Churches allow for married priests.

The 1960s saw a decline in vocations to the priesthood in many Western countries. Some argued that allowing priests to marry might help address this shortage by making the priesthood more attractive to those deterred by the prospect of lifelong celibacy.

With the broader sexual revolution and changing societal norms, some within the Church argued that recognizing the natural human and psychological need for companionship and intimacy could lead to healthier and more well-adjusted priests.

Some proponents of celibacy believed that it had deep theological significance, symbolizing the priest's complete dedication to the Church and his role as "alter Christus" (another Christ). Opponents pointed to scriptural references that suggested early Church leaders, including the Apostles, were married.

Those against changing the rule raised practical concerns. They argued that a married priesthood might pose financial and logistical challenges for the Church, given the need to support priests' families. There were also concerns about potential conflicts of interest or divided loyalties between family responsibilities and pastoral duties.

The fact that Eastern Catholic Churches, in communion with Rome, allowed for a married priesthood (though bishops must be celibate) was frequently cited in the debate. Some saw this as a precedent for potential change, while others believed the Latin Rite had its distinct traditions and practices.

The laity's views on the matter were diverse. While some were supportive of the traditional practice of celibacy, others believed change was necessary to address contemporary challenges and realities.

The Second Vatican Council brought about a spirit of openness and reform in various areas of Church life. While the Council itself did not call for a change in the discipline of clerical celibacy, the atmosphere of change and renewal made many topics, including celibacy, open for discussion.

If the was of interest please support my efforts to present more clips like this one by clicking the Thanks button below the video screen or by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/allinaday.