Nihil Novum Sub Sole
Clerical celibacy remained an ideal [in colonial Brazil] but a highly theoretical one. The vicar general of Rio de Janeiro, for example, joyously and notoriously ignored his vows of celibacy. His example inspired others to follow in his footsteps. Imaginative and unauthorized modification of Catholic ritual occasioned little notice. A folk Catholicism emerged unimpeded by dogma. In a celebrated case, a priest-showman conducted Mass in honor of his mother's soul and that of his mistress's mother. In the excitement of the moment his mistress, who took part in the ceremony, declared she could see her mother in front of the tabernacle, at which point her priest-lover ordered the congregation to sing hymns of praise. Less flamboyant clerics lived more privately with their mistresses and children. On occasion, when things got out of hand, the Vatican protested. In 1834, for example, when the regency government nominated as bishop of the capital Antonio Maria de Moura, well known for his call for an end to clerical celibacy and other unacceptable positions, Rome refused to proceed. When he withdrew his nomination, matters returned to normal.-from Colin M. MacLachlan's A Modern History of Brazil: The Past Against the Future pgs. 31-32
posted by Arturo Vasquez @ 6:30 PM
4 Comments:
Well it was Brazil, they have very beautiful women. We cannot expect perfection, but the goal shouldn't be abandoned.
Sounds a little like how the Church is dealing with the realities of birth control. Every sexual act being open to procreation is a fine theoretical ideal, but in this realm of coming-to-be and passing-away, things don't participate all that fully in the ideal. And that's fine by me.
On birth control: Now if I were in the confessional (thank God they showed me the door at seminary), if a married person confessed that they used birth control in their marital life, I would probably say nothing and give them three Hail Marys as penance. "Hey," I would conclude, "at least they admitted it's wrong to use it."
Looks like an interesting blog.
Wandered in here by way of the Renegade Eye blog via the Beatroot blog.
Also like Astor Piazolla, Phillip Glass, French Baroque (What was that movie? Les mondes something- or-other with Gerald Depardieu?), and sometimes Catholicism -- and have some kinda faith so molded and described.
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