Philip Jenkins

About the author: Philip Jenkins is a professor of history and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University and the author of Pedophiles and Priests.

Clerical celibacy does not, as many claim, reflect a hatred of women and contempt for sexuality. Indeed, people are misinformed about the nature and history of priestly celibacy. For example, celibacy did not develop during the Middle Ages as many think. In fact, priestly celibacy is a product of the early church, which believed that celibate priests would focus more on spiritual rather than worldly interests. Demanding that priests forgo sex in order to give themselves more fully to the church illustrates a respect for the power of sexuality, not contempt for it. Moreover, no evidence shows that...