Abstract

Applying the interlinked concepts of habitus, field, and cultural capital of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of practice as the primary theoretical framework and using some secondary literature and past scientific studies on celibacy and Catholic priesthood, this article critically and broadly examines the socialization and cognitive structures that condition the clerical mind to strongly support mandatory celibacy. It argues that the strong backing of the Catholic hierarchy of obligatory celibacy is influenced by the clerical socialization in the seminary that encourages a theological, rather than an empirical thinking and disposition. It also contends that this support for celibacy is also a reflection of the Church’s cleric-centered governance that is intimately linked to the ecclesial cultural capitals of celibacy and advanced ecclesial studies for clerics. Unless seminary and ecclesial reforms are done in the Church to promote empirical thinking and lay participation in governance, relief from the “scourge” of mandatory celibacy would remain nowhere in sight.