Celibacy in Crisis: A Secret World Revisited

In Celibacy in Crisis, therapist and former priest, A.W. Richard Sipe reveals the sobering results of his comprehensive and objective landmark study on celibacy within the Catholic Church. Based on 25 years of confidential in-depth interviews with over 1,500 priests, sexual partners, and victims, Sipe fearlessly removes the cloak of secrecy surrounding celibacy, and exposes the current tragedy of sexual abuse by priests within the broader context of the actual practice, process, and achievement of celibacy. With great candor and aplomb, Sipe uncovers the deep-rooted and largely unexamined celibate/sexual culture concealed within the Church, and challenges authorities to renew, rethink, or reform the institution of celibacy. This authoritative text goes beyond the recent headlines to present a fascinating exploration into the origins of celibacy in Church history, the latest information on pedophilia by clergy, and realistic guidelines for reformation of the Church's policies on the ancient religious custom. Book jacket.

A.W. Richard Sipe trained in psychotherapy with a specialty in treating and counseling clergy. A former ordained Roman Catholic priest and seminary instructor, he spent 40 years studying celibacy, counseling clergy, and testifying in cases against clerical sex abusers. His work with clerical sexuality has attracted worldwide attention