Author Description

Publisher's description: In Celibacy in Crisis: A Secret World Revisited, therapist and former priest, A. W. Richard Sipe takes to task the Catholic Church's policy of mandatory celibacy as well as its overall doctrine on human sexuality. Based on his extensive knowledge and background in the field, Sipe removes the cloak of secrecy surrounding celibacy, providing a fascinating exploration of the practice in church history, along with frank and realistic suggestions to clergy and laity for the reformation of the Church's policies on sexuality. This revolutionary text is a completely updated and revised follow-up to the controversial and highly regarded A Secret World: Sexuality and the Search for Celibacy. With great candor and aplomb, Sipe presents compelling case histories, thorough research, and a clear definition of celibacy and its values, along with topical information on pedophilia by clergy. Based on his 25 years of confidential, in-depth interviews with over 1500 priests, sexual partners, and victims, Sipe reveals the shocking and sobering results of his thorough and objective landmark study on priestly celibacy and his conclusion that the seminary system is incapable of instilling life-long sexual altruism in the priest population. In the midst of the worst crisis the Catholic Church has seen in almost 500 years, this book challenges Catholic authorities to renew, rethink, or remove the long-standing institution of celibacy.