Description
Book SynopsisAt the start of the 21st century, scandal and controversy concerning sexual misconduct by priests has effectively shaken the Catholic Church. In this title, therapist and former priest, A.W. Richard Sipe examines the issue of celibacy in the priesthood.
Trade Review"Now that the celibate cat is out of the bag, so to speak, there is a deep and pressing need for the kind of professional expertise and wisdom that Richard Sipe can provide--expertise and wisdom born not only of study and reflection, but also of years of experience as a priest and psychotherapist. Because of the efforts of persons like himself, there is hope that the 'secret world' of clerical celibacy and sexuality will eventually be transformed into what he calls a 'better world'." -- from the foreword by Richard P. McBrien
Table of ContentsForeword by Reverend Richard P. McBrien
PART I.BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1. WHY STUDY CELIBACY?
Sex/Celibacy: Breaking the taboo · The broader context · The study: what it is and what it is not · Reasons for this study
2. WHAT IS IT?
Factors of the Crisis · The meanings of celibacy · Abstinence · Law and ideal · Christ the ideal · Love · Definition of Celibacy
3. HOW DO THOSE WHO PROFESS CELIBACY PRACTICE IT?
Levels of Observation · Numerical Summary · Estimates of Sexual Behavior · Narratives
PART II. PRACTICE VERSUSPROFESSION
4. THE MASTURBATIONS
Nature · Pathology · Maturity and immaturity · Nocturnal emissions · Fasting · Spontaneous emissions · Vice and virtue · Guilt
5. PRIESTS AND WOMEN
The heterosexual presumption · Splitting and secrecy · Heterosexual relationships · Heterosexual behaviors · Patterns of association
6. WHEN PRIESTS BECOME FATHERS
Births · Abortion
7. THE HOMOSEXUALITIES
Homosexualities and the clergy · Denial of the homosocial structure · The male matrix · The system of secrecy · Developmental questions and variations · Alcoholism · Acquired immune deficiency syndrome · Homosexuality and mental health
8. SEXUAL COMPROMISES
What is normal? · The place of women · Fear of women · What is pornography? · Exhibitionistic behavior · Transvestism · Priests and animals · Suffering and sexual violence
PARTIII. THE HEART OF THE CRISIS
9. PRIESTS AND MINORS
What is pedophilia? · Frequency of Occurrence · Social ramifications of abuse · Causes · Avenues of access · Behaviors · Victims-the aftermath · Treatment · Awareness of the problem · The future
10. WHO ABUSES?
Psychological profile · Categories of vulnerability · Four case studies
11. CAN CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE BE PREVENTED?
Screening · Denial · Ecclesiogenic factors · Systemic elements · Mandatory celibacy · Ethical code · Impediments to ethical definitions · Elements of a code of sexual ethics
PART IV. PROCESS AND ATTAINMENT
12. LIVING WITH CELIBACY
What is the process of celibacy? · Developmental relationships · Internalization · Temporal stages
13. THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CELIBACY
Essential elements of celibate achievement · Who will follow? · The crisis of abuse
EPILOGUE: DIMENSIONS OF THE CRISIS The seven pillars of the crisis
ReferencesIndex
Acknowledgments
About the Author
