ABSTRACT
Priests striving for celibacy live, move, and have their being in a distinctly sexually aware and sexually active world. This has been high-lighted in the last half-century.
Multiple elements influence the perception of celibacy and condition the framework of understanding celibate practice. Public awareness of clergy sexual abuse has set the stage for the current crisis of celibacy But it is not the only problem contributing to the chaos around the question, What exactly is celibacy? That question must be addressed in the total context of our time.
