87-year-old bishop praises clerical celibacy
August 12, 2010
Bishop John Jukes, a Franciscan who served as auxiliary bishop of Southwark from 1980 to 1998, praised the discipline of clerical celibacy in an e-mail sent on his 87th birthday.
“I have always enjoyed the company of women,” he begins. “Their way of talking, the often-- to me-- apparently illogical style of reasoning, coupled with their physical appearance, have provided fascinating objects of wonder and interest.”
“While each individual will have personal and individual motives for undertaking what is by usual human standards a considerable sacrifice, yet all combine in a common conviction that they are seeking to place themselves at the side of Christ Our Saviour,” he continues. “I am convinced from my own experience that the gift of life-long celibacy has given me a great advantage in presenting Jesus and His teaching to mankind.”
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