c. 1996 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) _ He didn’t say so explicitly, but Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, might have had Chicago Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin in mind Monday when he delivered an impassioned defense of the priesthood and priestly celibacy.

Pilla’s presidential address, an examination of the current state of the beleaguered priesthood, came just moments after the prelates paid a warm tribute to the dying Chicago cardinal whose graceful and dignified battle with cancer has grabbed the attention of both the church and the general public.

Bernardin, whose 30 years as a key player in the bishops’ conference demonstrated grace under fire _ from fellow bishops on theological and policy issues to an agonizing episode in which he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct _ has served as a model for many of what the priesthood is. Doctors have given him only a few months to live.

In a brief, handwritten note read to the bishops at the beginning of Monday’s session, Bernardin expressed his regret at not being present at the four-day annual meeting of bishops:”Unfortunately, my rapidly declining health will not make it possible. … I pray that God will give me the grace and strength that I need each day.” Pilla, in response, said that”we know of no other bishop who has given so much for so long, so willingly and lovingly.”Your eminence,”he said, addressing the absent Bernardin as if he were there,”we, your brothers, give thanks for a life well-lived, a leadership splendidly shared, and a faith shining brightly for all to see.”Joseph, our brother, we thank you,”Pilla concluded as the more than 275 bishops rose and gave the absent Bernardin a minute-long round of applause.

In his formal address, Pilla described a priesthood under siege by negative images, the sexual improprieties of a few priests and the growing demands placed on them as their numbers decline, creating a”weariness of spirit.”Many priests, Pilla said, suffer from a”weariness of the spirit,”and he urged his brother bishops to provide them more support.

The number of diocesan priests has declined from 36,005 in 1975 to 32,824 in 1995. They have an average age of 58. Equally important for the future of the church, the number of parishes without a priest has grown from 702 in 1975 to 2,161 in 1995.”So many negative images of priests are carelessly, even heartlessly, spread around that today I believe it both a duty and joy to speak words of affirmation and reaffirmation to our priests,”Pilla said.

Pilla said some of the problems of the contemporary priesthood, especially the demands for new expertise by priests in liturgy, theology, psychology and parish administration, as well as new styles of leadership involving more collaboration with the laity and other church professionals, could be traced to the renewal movement that erupted with the Second Vatican Council.”In the exciting days of the Second Vatican Council itself,”he said,”perhaps we were innocent enough to think that renewal would be only full of hope and not at all disorienting. We were forgetful of the freedom of the Spirit who, blowing where the Spirit wills, sometimes blows things down.” While listing a number of problems faced by priests, Pilla used some of his strongest language to discuss the controversial issue of priestly celibacy.

His defense of celibacy comes at a time of growing international debate over the issue as a number of lay groups in the United States, Canada and western Europe have become more vocal in calling for an end to mandatory celibacy by priests.

Even as Pilla spoke, a small band of some 50 demonstrators rallied outside the Washington hotel where the bishops were meeting to press a reform agenda calling for a married priesthood and ordination of women.

Pilla acknowledged that celibacy is”a concern today”and that been the subject of”condescending and derisive portrayals.”Such attention, he said,”makes it a stress factor rather than a gift for the kingdom.”There is little attempt by the media or others to understand the witness of celibacy and its special charism (gift) that often takes second place to a malign pleasure at instances of its violations,”he said.

At the same time, Pilla said priests themselves must share some of the blame for the negative images of priestly celibacy that are current.”The painful last few years of instances of inappropriate behavior by a few has called into question the very notion of celibacy itself,”he said.

But he said celibacy presents a special witness in the United States.”In this time and in this nation, where the church not only does not suffer persecution and deprivation, but even holds a place of prestige and influence, the priest’s celibate commitment witnesses to the spirit of sacrifice which is essential to Christianity,”he said.”To sacrifice marriage and a family of one’s own is particularly relevant to our age in which sexuality is take for granted and often debased,”he added.”There is no greater sign of hope in the Lord than to believe that serving Him is worth sacrificing the most truly human of all joys _ marriage and family.” JC END ANDERSON