The Emasculation of the Priesthood.

I am a regular reader of Fr. John Zuhlsdorf's blog "What Does the Prayer Really Say? In a rather interesting post--the comments are even more interesting, on communion in the hand

Within the comments was a comment from a

Some of you might find this article from The Latin Mass, by Fr. James McLucas interesting. It’s called “The Emasculation of the Priesthood” and it deals directly with issues like communion in the hand.

http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/artEmasculation.asp

Excerpt:

The mistake was the failure to take into account the obvious possibility that the unique sacramental / pastoral role of the priest is not a mere timebound whim of the Church, but is intrinsic to the nature of the priesthood, particularly a celibate one. From the time that priestly celibacy came to be understood as the norm, the unique administration of the sacred and, in particular, the priest as sole steward of the Eucharist, were supernatural responsibilities that grounded the celibate’s commitment.[5] The man who has sacrificed wife and family is discovering that the structure that guarded his self-identity as a spiritual spouse and father is in the process of being dismantled. The effects are simultaneously subtle and pronounced.

... The need for a unique physical intimacy with another is constitutive of permanent monogamous relationships ordained by the Creator, Yet it is precisely that type of intimacy with another human being that the celibate sacrifices. The celibate priest, however, was offered through his office an incomparable and unparalleled intimacy: he alone could touch God.

Read the article. Now, keep in mind it was written 10 years ago and it has some things about the complicity of the Vatican in the break down of the priesthood, that I find gratuitous at best, but, I think there is some definite accuracy in the why the priest hood is in trouble. Especially in dioceses like Rochester that push a "collaborative approach" to leadership of the parish that just screams trouble. Why would a man give up having children and family only to become a limited sacramental technician that is beaten and abused on all sides? He doesn't even have any authority over his flock, because he's got to get all his actions "approved" by them before he does anything, or is hammered at all sides by lay people who have supposed Theology Degrees, but who are at odds with the magisterium.

The supposed "new" template for priesthood, frankly stinks. It seems to breed an abridged version of the Vocation that has limits to obedience to the Church, Pope and Magisterium; limits to its time; and limits to its faith.

Dioceses that have returned to the "old" template for the Priesthood. One of Father, shepherd, and spiritual leader have seen dramatic upticks in their vocations and their attendance. Maybe the "old" model worked for 20 centuries for a reason...because it it is authentic. Just as sheep know their Shepherd, so do Catholics, real Catholics, know a Real Priest.