Augustine on Humility, Ecclesiastical Authority, and Pastoral Service
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Table of Contents Introduction Saint Augustine of Hippo taught that humility is the foundation of Christian life and especially necessary for Church leaders. He repeatedly warned bishops, priests, monks, and scholars against pride, ambition, and spiritual arrogance. According to Augustine, ecclesiastical authority exists for service rather than domination. Clergy who […]
The Selection of Bishops
©2025 Victor R. Claveau, MJ The present appointment process for the selection of diocesan bishops is widely perceived to be in need of serious reform. While the Church has long relied on a confidential and consultative system—typically involving apostolic nuncios, regional bishops, and recommendations forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops—the practical outcome in many regions […]
FEMALE PRIESTHOOD
by Giuseppe Monno The question of women’s ordination to the priesthood remains one of the most sensitive and widely discussed issues in contemporary theology. To understand the Catholic Church’s position faithfully and in its proper depth, however, one must return to its biblical, historical, and theological foundations. There, the continuity of Tradition consistently affirms that […]
A Short Catechism on “Women Priests”
by John Vennari What is the Church’s teaching on women in the priesthood? The Church’s constant teaching can be summarized in three points. 1) God Himself determines who will exercise the function of the priesthood in the public liturgy. Not even Christ as man takes the honor to Himself, and to the Apostles He says, […]
Apostolic Letter “A fidelity that generates the future” of the Holy Father Leo XIV on the 60th anniversary of the Conciliar Decrees Optatam Totius and Presbyterorum Ordinis, 22.12.2025
1. A fidelity that generates the future is what priests are called to today. Appreciating the value of perseverance in the apostolic mission gives us the opportunity to reflect on the future of our ministry and to help others experience the joy of the priestly vocation. The sixtieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which […]
Vatican Letter to Priests on Obedience
“It Is Truly Possible to Give All to Christ” From the Vatican, Nov. 18, 2009 Here is the letter the Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy, sent to priests on the promise of obedience. “Do you promise filial respect and obedience to me and my successors?” (Pontificale Romanum. De Ordinatione Episcopi, presbyterorum et diaconorum, Edition […]
St. Martin and St. Ambrose
No earthly dignity can compare with that of Christ’s priesthood. While the holy bishop, St. Martin was dining with the Emperor Maximus, the latter, out of respect for his saintly guest, passed him the royal cup untasted and the good bishop, to assert the dignity of his office, not only accepted the honor himself, but […]
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi said that if he saw an angel from heaven and a priest he would first bow to the priest and then to the angel, for the angel is the friend of God, but the priest holds His place. St Francis said that if he saw an angel from heaven and a […]
Priestly Celibacy
Celibacy is the choice to remain unmarried for the sake of the kingdom of God. While required for priests in the Latin rite as a discipline, celibacy is a vocation, a gift from God freely accepted and a sacrifice freely undertaken by those responding to His call to the consecrated life. Accordingly, this truth is […]
Question. “I think that the new Pope should allow priests to marry and/or date and for women to become priests. John Paul was a good Pope but too old fashioned, the modern church is suffering because of his old policies.”
Answer: Certainly, celibacy is a Roman Rite Church discipline and as such could conceivably be changed in the future. That said, it must be understood that priests voluntarily accept this discipline. They have many years of formation during which this subject is much discussed and ample time to consider the ramifications of their decision. Committing themselves […]