Pope John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio, says that, "Christian revelation recognizes two specific ways of realizing the vocation of the human person in its entirety, to love: marriage and virginity or celibacy. Either one is, in its own proper form, an actuation of the most profound truth of man, of his being created in the image of God.'"
The Archdiocese of Boston, at the vocation page of its website, recognizes the vocation to the priesthood, the vocation to religious life, and the vocation to marriage. Nothing about the single vocation. See here. This is most significant. The implication is that single people do not have a vocation or a purpose; that we are unnecessary.
Father Pat Umberger has noted that, "Being single. For some of us it is the way we live our Vocation. For others it is a temporary state. For some it brings much joy. For others sadness and a feeling of incompleteness. Not all single folks are called to a Vocation of priesthood or consecrated life. Single people come in all age ranges, from the 20's through old age. Single people have needs and goals. We don't always fit into the society we live in. Sometimes there is a perception that we cannot be happy or fulfilled while we are single. We can buy into that perception. The Church can be quite helpful to us. Sometimes it can hinder us as well. It is true that much is said about married life, children, teenagers and other groups within the Church, but not much about single people. The Church can unconsciously discriminate against single people by sponsoring mostly "couples only" events, inviting "families" to bring up the gifts, or seeing singles as the pool from which to draw helpers to complete tasks nobody else wants to do."
Cardinal Sean O'Malley has given much lip service to inclusion. Indeed he has decided that Catholic schools in his Archdiocese can partner with homosexual parents who refuse to live in accordance with Catholic moral teaching. Apparently it's only Catholics faithful to the Magisterium and single people who aren't entirely welcome.
Father Mike Boutin was arguing AGAINST celibacy at his blog [which dedicated single Catholics live every day] and the Archdiocese of Boston DID NOTHING about it.
ReplyDeleteThink about it. What does this suggest about the Archdiocese?
I don't trust Cardinal O'Malley at all.
I think a lot of people bumble along to marriage and children. For a whole lot of reasons, people choose or maybe the choice is made for them by circumstances, not to marry. I'm in that position myself. I may not marry. I'm not sure I agree with those who say that for the vast majority, marriage is their vocation. I don't agree. I think it is lack of discernment that so many people get married and have kids, only to make unhappy marriages and unhappy kids.
ReplyDeleteThe website says, ''There are also specific vocations in which one gives oneself entirely to the Lord:''
ReplyDeleteYes, because of course, single people are unable to 'give themselves entirely to the Lord.' It stuff like that which offends and devalues singles.
Exactly Martin. Single people are devalued. In 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35, St. Paul says: "An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."
ReplyDeleteThe single vocation is every bit as important as other vocations. And in some ways more so than marriage. Because single poeple are free to commit themselves entirely to the Lord.
The Archdiocese of Boston just doesn't appreciate the single vocation.