Sir, - I note that Bishop Murray CSSP (October 14th) is disturbed by my use of statistics in an article on celibacy (September 21st). Lest he thinks that they are a figment of my imagination, I refer him to a recent book by Richard Sipe, the distinguished researcher on clerical celibacy in America, where it is written in the forward:
Sipe estimates that approximately two per cent of those vowed to celibacy achieve it. Since 1960, 20,000 priests have left the active priesthood in the United States, the majority to marry. At any one time, 20 per cent of priests in good standing are involved in sexual relationships with women, eight per cent are experimenting sexually, approximately evenly divided between homosexual and heterosexual activity; about 30 per cent of priests have a homosexual orientation. About 50 per cent of both homosexual and heterosexual priests practise celibacy." (Page ix, Sex, Priests and Power, Cassell 1995).
Rather than wondering "shyly" who else along with himself is celibate in a gathering of 100 priests, the bishop might more fruitfully reflect on the implications of this statistics for the future of priesthood. I see also that he is "outraged" by my comment on clerical celibacy in the Third World. I suggest his outrage would be lessened if he read what I actually wrote.
I did not, as he alleges, write: "There is sufficient anecdotal evidence to suggest celibacy is disregarded in Third World countries." Rather I stated that the anecdotal evidence is of sufficient strength to merit investigation. I am happy to abide by a professional survey which seeks to establish the validity or otherwise of the stories. May I say that the anecdotal evidence on which I based my comment is at least as impressive as the solitary experience offered by the bishop in contradiction?
While I am at it, I may as well comment on Father Michael Manning's negative critique of my article (September 27th). He disputes my contention that there is such a thing as compulsory celibacy, as the Church "selects her candidates for the priesthood from these who have the charism of celibacy and who, therefore, accept it positively as a divine vocation." So that's all right, then there is no problem! Difficulties vanish with a verbal sleight of hand. Why am I reminded of the quatrain by Dorothy Parker,
Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,
A medley of extemporanea;
And love is a thing that can never go wrong;
and I am Marie of Rumania
Yours, etc..
Kilmore-Erris,
Belmullet,
Co Mayo.