1. Theology of the Body for Teens Chapter 9: Celibacy & Religious Life

2. Ways to Live 1 st half of TOB = Who are we? 2 nd half of TOB = How do we live? Loving communion through: –Vocation of marriage to a human spouse –Marriage of Christ and the Church thru celibacy “Celibacy for the kingdom” = call to live as a gift, uniting oneself completely to God

3. Does Celibacy reject our sexuality? NO!!! –Witness to the fact that there is a greater joy = heaven –Shows us the ultimate purpose & meaning of our sexuality = giving ourselves to God

4. Is celibacy abnormal? Not weird or wrong BUT it is not the norm Priesthood is a special call – without it we would not have the Eucharist

5. Why is the priesthood only for men? NOT to show discrimination There are differences between men & women in the natural order AND the supernatural order Priests act In Persona Christi = in the person of Christ Only a man can act as the groom meant to marry his bride (the Church)

6. Why can’t priests marry? They were in the past – BUT celibacy has been the tradition for over 1,000 yrs. Called to give a total self-donation of himself to his bride Celibacy is a great gift to offer God & a powerful reminder that we were destined to be with God forever in heaven

7. What can the Church change? Cannot change teaching on women priests – doesn’t have the authority Could change its norm on married clergy – although unlikely –This is a practice of Church discipline