Clerical Celibacy: The Heritage
Description
Phipps' study gives a comprehensive, historically-based account of the commitment of the Roman Catholic Church to a celibate priesthood. His position is, he states, 'conservative, not radical. Mandatory celibacy is relatively new-fangled, having appeared during the last half of the church's existence. The innovation was imposed in the feudal and crusading era, a dark period for the Church.' Phipps' understanding comes from probing ancient religious texts, from the careful study of church history, and by finding studies that provide factual assessments of the general...
ISBN(s)
0826416179, 9780826416179
