WEST Australian Opposition Leader Matt Birney suggested yesterday that the Pope was married – a blunder that shocked even his Liberal colleagues.
In a case of either sheer ignorance or dreadful taste, Mr Birney was last night refusing to apologise for the gaffe he made while defending his decision to take his girlfriend on a taxpayer-funded trip to Greece.
Asked by a caller on ABC talkback radio whether it would be appropriate to take his partner to meet the Pope, Mr Birney replied: "It’s a very hypothetical question. If it were the sort of function where it was appropriate to have partners there, ie, if the Pope happened to have his partner there, then yes, absolutely," he replied, seemingly unaware of the Catholic clerical vow of celibacy. [Source]
13 comments
Interesting that he said “Pope’s partner.” Sounds like he knows priests can’t marry, but is a little hazy on the rest of the deal.
I once heard of a kid in CCD who, in a lesson on clerical celibacy, asked in all apparent seriousness: “Priests can’t marry, but they can have something goin’ on the side, right?”
Kids say the darndest things! One wonders where they get it. Though from the reports of some of the craziness which circulated around seminaries and houses of formation circa 1968-1985, it is not all entirely surprising! There was one story told of a priest who honestly thought his promise of celibacy was limited to the chapel where he made the promise – ie. outside that chapel, he was not thus bound!
Just before I went into the seminary, I worked for a short time at the IRS. One of the men I worked with had hung out with a jesuit in the early eighties and they would frequent strip clubs. This particular priest was reported to have said: “I can look, I just cannot touch!” and his friend (my former co-worker) bought it hook, line and sinker!
Given our culture, one could go talk to a classroom full of thirteen year olds, mention celibacy (even chastity) and the kids (the boys at least) give the impression: “man, I could never go without ‘it’. How can you go without ‘it.'” HUH? We are all called to chastity lad! [such a conversation has actually happened!]
I undersand that in almost every country but the U.S. it’s common for priests to have mistresses (i.e. “maids”). Not only is this so common, but apparently it’s even accepted, by clegy and laypeople. Everyone turns a blind eye to it, and everyone’s happy. It just isn’t a big deal to them.
Is there any truth to this?
I undersand that in almost every country but the U.S. it’s common for priests to have mistresses (i.e. “maids”). Not only is this so common, but apparently it’s even accepted, by clegy and laypeople. Everyone turns a blind eye to it, and everyone’s happy. It just isn’t a big deal to them.
Is there any truth to this?
I think what you say is probably greatly exaggerated. While I have heard (from usually reliable sources) that it is common in some countries (like in South America), I’ve never seen any documentation to back it up so I remain skeptical. I’ve also heard non-Catholics say that they’ve heard that priests in this country commonly have affairs with domestic servants, presenting no evidence and nevertheless treating it like it is an undeniable fact; that makes me suspicious of any such claim sans documentation (how one would get documentation is a good question, but without it, how does one know whether such scandalous charges are true?). The recent scandal makes it clear, though, that at least the American hierarchy needs to do a much better job of making sure that priests not only preech authentic Church teaching, but also practice it.
“I undersand that in almost every country but the U.S. it’s common for priests to have mistresses (i.e. “maids”). Not only is this so common, but apparently it’s even accepted, by clegy and laypeople. Everyone turns a blind eye to it, and everyone’s happy. It just isn’t a big deal to them”
If you really do mean “maids”, then yeah, lots of priests all over the world have them. Hispanic priests, who have a special place in the community, are always expected to have a cook, or a driver. Argentina’s Cardinal Bergoglio was pretty remarkable in that he had neither.
But never have I heard of priests seducing their help. If any, its always some pretty lass from the barrio.
Sounds like just another version of the same old myths, like that rectories have secret underground tunnels to the local convent.
Or another version of the same new myths that “we KNOW that nobody REALLY believes in that celibacy crap!”
Celibacy Crap???? Well that’s what priests vow when they become priests. Unlike most Jesuits and dissident priests who have their own set of rules. Obviously you would like to think they’re all getting some on the side. Maybe that’s what your life is like. Don’t assume something you know nothing about. Obviouly…….
My grandma was a live in housekeeper for a priest (friend of family also) after my grandpa died. She, of course, was also his companion, as was I. Purely chaste companion.
Funny how we take a nice word like companion and in the last few years made it into a nasty word.
Another sarcasm-impaired commenter.
That’s commenteer my little pin head :^}
For the gals. Top ten reasons to preserve your virginity until marriage:
10. You get to have an actual beginning to your marriage, not some mushy recollection of around when you or he moved in.
9. You get to go on actual dates instead of just finding places to (and I hate this expression) “do it.”
8. You get to worry about real things like passing your Algebra test or getting a job… not if you’re getting your period every month.
7. There isn’t some guy named Bob running around out there who knows where all your birthmarks are.
6. Firming up your self control now comes in handy later on for the both of you. Like when you have a screaming infant at 3:00 a.m. or when you have to decide which in-laws to go to on Holidays.
5. Your white dress will mean something when you do walk down the aisle.
4. You’ll both be the best lover either of you’ve ever had!
3. Greater appreciation for the Blessed Mother and virgin saints.
2. You’ll be a smarter and stronger decision maker — a spiritual Bionic woman!!
and finally (drumroll please)…
1. Because God said so.
I think it is time to cut people slack and ask them did you really say that. I actually emailed Mr. Birney and I received an interesting response. He emailed me a text that he read in the Australian parliament:
Mr Speaker I rise to make a personal explanation about my reported comments on ABC radio regarding the Pope.
I was asked in broad terms by the interviewer about the circumstances in which it is appropriate for a member of Parliament to take a partner to an official function.
The point I was attempting to make is that one circumstance in which it is appropriate for a Member of Parliament to take his or her wife or partner to an official function is where the host of that function is also accompanied by his or her wife or partner.
I was then further asked if I would take my partner to a function hosted by the Pope.
My response was certainly not flippant , nor was it a joke , nor was it meant to be insulting to catholics of which I am one.
It was in fact a slip of the tongue during the cut and thrust of a talkback radio segment which was somewhat opportunistically seized upon by the Labor Party.
Within hours of the radio interview yesterday I was in touch with the Arch Bishop�s office and I communicated my regret at making the comments and that no offence was intended.
I am pleased to say that no offence was taken by the Catholic Church or the Arch Bishops office and I understand that this message was communicated yesterday in a statement that reads as follows :
A spokesman for the Catholic Church said he had been assured by Mr Birney that there was absolutely no disrespect intended to the Pope, and his explanation is accepted.”
I think many people may have questions about Mr. Birney but there is no reason to believe that he is an absolute idiot.