Sir, - In view of the widespread discussion taking place at present on celibacy in the Catholic priesthood, it is perhaps somewhat remarkable that the most influential factor, namely the formidable evidence indicating that it is the will of God to have married priests, is never discussed in public.
When two people fall in love, it is something over which they have no control whatsoever. It is not a deliberate act. No man or, woman can say: "I am going to fall in love with that woman, or man and then proceed to do so. Falling in love is a natural procedure and, because it is outside human control, it is regarded in religious circles as an expression of the will of God - a fact confirmed by the religious rites which follow its fulfilment by marriage, e.g., the church service, prayers, the blessings and so on.
However, it so happens that sometimes the man in a loving couple is a priest, who has earlier responded to the will of God by entering the priesthood. When he falls in love, he is again responding to the will of God, in exactly the same way as does any other man. He can no more prevent this from happening than he could prevent himself from receiving the vocational call.
The case against compulsory celibacy is aptly summarised by paraphrasing an edict in the marriage service: "Those whom God wishes to join together, let no man keep asunder." Unless it can be shown, and shown by logical argument or tangible evidence, that this is not the case, then it must be accepted that enforced celibacy is an open defiance of the will of God. Yours, etc.,
Delgany,
Co. Wicklow.