Author: Format: ISBN: H x W x D: Manufacturer: Date: Pages:
Stefan Heid
Soft Cover
0-89870800-1
8 3/4" (22.2 cm) x 6" (15.2 cm) x 1" (2.54 cm)
Ignatius Press
2001
375
General Description:
Stefan Heid
Heid presents a penetrating and wide-ranging study of the historical data from the early Church on the topics of celibacy and clerical continence. He gives a brief review of recent literature, and then begins his study with the New Testament and follows it all the way to Justinian and the Council in Trullo in 690 it the East and the fifth century popes in the West. He thoroughly examines the writings of the Bible, the early church councils, saints and theologians like Jerome, Augustine, Clement, Tertullian, John Chrystostom, Cyril and Gregory Nazianzen. He has gathered formidable data with conclusive arguments regarding obligatory continence in the early Church.
"Stefan Heid shows with strong, conclusive arguments that clerical continence was a requirement for bishops, priests and deacons from apostolic times. His arguments for a celibate clergy are convincing and irrefutable." —Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., Editor, Homiletic and Pastoral Review
Profile
His father was a pagan who converted on his death bed; his mother was Saint Monica, a devout Christian. Trained in Christianity, he lost his faith in youth and led a wild life. Lived with a Carthaginian woman from the age of 15 through 30. Fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God. Taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, he became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: "God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now."
Augustine finally broke with the Manichaeans and was converted by the prayers of his mother and the help of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who baptized him. On the death of his mother he returned to Africa, sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor, and founded a monastery. Monk. Priest. Preacher. Bishop of Hippo in 396. Founded religious communities. Fought Manichaeism, Donatism, Pelagianism and other heresies. Oversaw his church and his see during the fall of the Roman Empire to the Vandals. Doctor of the Church. His later thinking can also be summed up in a line from his writings:
Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.
Born
13 November 354 at Tagaste, Numidia, North Africa (Souk-Ahras, Algeria) as Aurelius Augustinus
Died
28 August 430 at Hippo
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
brewers
Bridgeport, Connecticut, diocese of
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Ida, Philippines, diocese of
Isleta Indian Pueblo
Kalamazoo Michigan, diocese of
printers
Saint Augustine, Florida, city of
Saint Augustine, Florida, diocese of
sore eyes
Superior, Wisconsin, diocese of
theologians
Tucson, Arizona, diocese of
Valletta, Malta
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