Sexuality and the Catholic Priesthood

The 'Chaste' Caste

Marco Marzano (University of Bergamo, Italy)

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English

Routledge
18 June 2025

Religion: general; Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church; Gender studies: men; Sociology

Series: Routledge Studies in the Sociology of Religion

Based on interviews with Roman Catholic seminarians, priests and former priests, as well as with managers of seminaries, teaching staff, psychologists and psychiatrists, this book considers the lives of the clergy, beginning with the period before entering the seminary. With attention to both heterosexual and homosexual relationships – and so addressing the tension that exists between Catholic teaching and the reality of clerical lives – this wide-ranging description of seminary life encompasses many issues which are not strictly sexual or emotional, such as time organisation, the importance of study, hierarchical relations and friendship. Showing that the lives of seminarians – and later, priests – are absorbed in balancing the expectations of their role with their need for an emotional life and with maintaining an independent, free inner self, with the result that celibacy can come to be viewed as a pretence to be upheld scrupulously in the public sphere only, Sexuality and the Catholic Priesthood: The 'Chaste' Caste will appeal to scholars of sociology and religious studies with interests in gender and sexuality, the Catholic Church and priestly vocations.

By: Marco Marzano (University of Bergamo Italy)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 380g
ISBN: 9781032547077
ISBN 10: 1032547073
Series: Routledge Studies in the Sociology of Religion
Pages: 112
Publication Date: 18 June 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Marco Marzano is Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Bergamo, Italy.