Clerical Contraception

 “It’s not any easier to raise up a spiritual family than a physical family. Some people look at the priest and say: “Well, he’s not married, he doesn’t have any children, his life must be easier.” Oh, no. To think that it’s easier is to fall into materialism. Why materialism? Because we see physical realities as the only real reality. Spiritual realities are real ones too! Some people ask us, “Can priests have children?” Sure! In fact, if we don’t have children, born of our preaching of the Word and our administration of the Sacraments, there is no growth in faith. Think of those who, through our priestly ministry, hear the call of Christ to come into the Church, or overcome obstacles to faith and prayer, or receive new life by the sacraments. These are our spiritual children! If we are not of the mind that we are to be generative, that we are to bring spiritual children into the world, then we are practicing what might be called a clerical contraception. We are ordained to bring forth life and to do so generously.” (Fr. Frank Pavone, Address to Clergy and Lay Leaders in the Philippines, 1994. For the full talk, see www.priestsforlife.org/articles/Role.html.)