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Abstract

Celibacy is a defining vow in the life of Catholic priests, requiring thorough preparation and ongoing commitment. While celibacy enables priests to devote themselves fully to ministry, it also presents challenges that can influence their fidelity to priesthood. This study aimed to explore how Catholic priests experience, sustain, and interpret their vow of celibacy within their ministry. Using a transcendental phenomenological design, ten diocesan priests from Pagadian, representing junior, middle, and senior clergy, were purposively selected and interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, validated with participant feedback, and analyzed thematically while bracketing researcher biases. The findings reveal that priests prepared for celibacy during seminary formation, but continued to face difficulties such as loneliness, temptation, and societal pressures. They relied on coping mechanisms, supportive relationships, and spiritual aspirations to remain faithful to their vow. Despite challenges, the participants affirmed their commitment to priestly ministry and identified celibacy as both a struggle and a source of deeper spiritual growth. The study concludes that sustaining celibacy requires not only personal resilience but also strong formation programs and community support. These insights are significant in addressing celibacy as a central factor in priestly vocation and retention.

Bahasa Abstract

Selibat merupakan sebuah kaul penting dalam kehidupan para imam Katolik, yang memerlukan pembinaan dan persiapan yang ketat. Selibat mengandung makna pelayanan yang lebih penuh bagi umat, karena membebaskan para imam dari tanggung jawab yang melekat dalam kehidupan pernikahan. Karena selibat memiliki peran yang signifikan dalam pelayanan imamat Katolik, para peneliti berupaya memahami pengaruh selibat terhadap kehidupan pelayanan para imam Katolik — apakah selibat tersebut mendorong mereka untuk memperkuat komitmen dalam pelayanan, atau justru membuat mereka meninggalkan pelayanan demi kehidupan berumah tangga. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan melibatkan satu kelompok kasus. Para partisipan dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling, di mana peneliti menentukan peserta berdasarkan kriteria yang sesuai dengan tujuan penelitian. Dengan menggunakan desain fenomenologi transendental, peneliti mewawancarai sepuluh (10) imam untuk menggali pengalaman mereka menjalani kehidupan selibat dan bagaimana mereka mampu mempertahankan komitmen tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa para imam mempersiapkan diri mereka sejak masa pembinaan untuk hidup selibat, menjalani tuntutan selibat dengan berbagai cara, menghadapi berbagai kesulitan, serta mengembangkan mekanisme penanggulangan, dukungan, dan harapan yang membantu mereka bertahan. Temuan penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa meskipun mereka menghadapi banyak tantangan dan kesulitan, para imam mampu mengatasinya berkat mekanisme penyesuaian diri, dukungan, dan cita-cita mereka. Mereka tetap berkomitmen pada pelayanan imamatnya. Penelitian ini penting karena selibat telah menjadi salah satu alasan utama banyak imam memutuskan untuk meninggalkan imamat.

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