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Rev. John C. De Celles
Parochial Vicar
St. Michael Catholic Church
7401 St. Michael's Lane
Annandale Virginia 22003
Telephone: (703) 256-7822September 27, 2003
Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory
Bishop of BellevillePresident, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th St. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20017-119 Your Excellency:Please find enclosed a letter supporting the Church's requirement of celibacy for ordination to the priesthood in the Latin Church. This letter is sent from 90 priests of the Diocese of Arlington, whose names you will find at the bottom of the letter.
This letter represents the decision of 90 diocesan priests that it would be prudent and useful to the Church to declare our support for mandatory celibacy in this particular manner at this particular time. It in no way represents a vote by the priests of the Arlington Diocese -- the gifts of Christ and the venerable traditions of the Church do not require our approval for legitimacy.
We pray that our support will be helpful to you and your brother bishops in defending this divine gift, and will assist the faithful who are so often confused by the discordant voices among the clergy.
May God continue to bless the good work you do for Christ's Church.
In Christ,
Fr. John C. De Celles
September 27, 2003
Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th St. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20017-1194Your Excellency:
It saddens us to learn that brother priests from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have publicly called for an end to mandatory celibacy for priestly ordination. In response to their letter we, the undersigned priests of the Diocese of Arlington, declare our support for this discipline, which we joyfully promised at ordination.
They hope that permitting the ordination of married men will generate more vocations. Common sense and historical experience indicate, however, that reducing the demands of the priesthood will not increase vocations, because lessening sacrifice never inspires men to offer their lives to Christ. In times of crisis, the wisdom and instinct of the Church have always been to respond with greater sacrifice, not less. What will inspire more vocations is celibacy lived well, not celibacy set aside.
The theological and pastoral reasons for mandatory celibacy in the Latin Church are well known, set forth in the documents of Vatican II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the writings of our current Holy Father. The celibate priest participates in Christ's spousal love for the Church, bears witness to the Kingdom of Heaven, and serves Christ and the Church with an undivided heart.
We desire that you and your brother bishops know of our devotion to this source and sign of pastoral charity, and our desire that it remain mandatory for priestly ordination. Further, we believe that continued discussion of this issue only confuses the faithful and deprives the Church of the clarity needed to inspire vocations.
Finally, we wholeheartedly commend you for your treatment of this matter in you letter dated September 3. May God bless you in your important work for Christ and His Church.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Scannell
Rev. Julius J. Cilinski
Rev. Msgr. John T. Cilinski
Rev. Msgr. Frank J. Hendrick
Rev. Joseph J. Loftus
Rev. William F. Ruehl
Rev. Frank J. Ready
Rev. Salvator L. Ciullo
Rev. Philip S. Majka
Rev. Franklyn M. McAfee
Rev. Gerald Weymes
Rev. Robert E. Avella
Rev. Mark A. Pilon
Rev. Jerome W. Fasano
Rev. Christopher M. Buckner
Rev. Richard Dair
Rev. James R. Gould
Rev. James C. Bruse
Rev. Robert J. Rippy
Rev. William P. Saunders
Rev. Daniel S. Spychala
Rev. Paul L. Dudzinski
Rev. John D. Kelly
Rev. Lee W. Gross
Rev. John C. Cregan
Rev. Jerome R. Daly
Rev. Paul F. deLadurantaye
Rev. Charles W. Merkle
Rev. Christopher J. Mould
Rev. David P. Meng
Rev. Denis M. Donahue
Rev. Francis J. Peffley
Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky
Rev. James S. Barkett
Rev. Michael R. Duesterhaus
Rev. Edward C. Hathaway
Rev. John J. Riley
Rev. John H. Melmer
Rev. Daniel J. Maher
Rev. Daniel L. Mode
Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude
Rev. William J. Ettner
Rev. Dennis W. Kleinmann
Rev. Michael T. Orlowsky
Rev. Donald J. Planty
Rev. Michael G. Taylor
Rev. Lawrence M. Violette
Rev. Alexander R. Drummond
Rev. Richard M. Guest
Rev. Vincent P. Bork
Rev. Ronald S. Escalante
Rev. Paul M. Eversole
Rev. Daniel N. Gee
Rev. Michael C. Kelly
Rev. Mark E. Moretti
Rev. Richard A. Mullins
Rev. Terrence R. Staples
Rev. Joseph J. Clark
Rev. John C. De Celles
Rev. Ronald J. Gripshover, Jr.
Rev. Christopher D. Murphy
Rev. Paul D. Scalia
Rev. Terry W. Specht
Rev. Stefan P. Starzynski
Rev. Jerry A. Wooton
Rev. John A. Ziegler
Rev. Matthew H. Zuberbueler
Rev. Francis deRosa
Rev. John P. Mosiman
Rev. James C. Hudgins
Rev. Christopher J. Pollard
Rev. Brian G. Bashista
Rev. Terry A. Cramer
Rev. Michael J. Dobbins
Rev. John F. Heisler
Rev. Kevin J. Beres
Rev. Paul M. Grankauskas
Rev. Stephen Holmes
Rev. John M. O'Donohue
Rev. Richard T. Carr
Rev. Frederick H. Edlefsen
Rev. Stephen F. McGraw
Rev. Edward E. Perez
Rev. James M. Poumade
Rev. Brian G. Belli
Rev. Geronimo A. Magat
Rev. Keith M. O'Hare
Rev. Michael D. Weston
Rev. Edward R. Horkan
Rev. Mark Mullaney
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