Celibates

Ted Santek and Gerry Beauvais become roommates during their years at St. John's Provincial Seminary and form a friendship that lasts throughout their lives. Although from quite different backgrounds, each is thoroughly dedicated to the priesthood, but struggles in his own way with the vow of celibacy imposed by the Catholic Church. Kavanaugh, a former priest, tells an impassioned tale of love, restraint, compromise, and guilt as he contrasts the tragic lives of two men who challenge the stance of the Church concerning personal relations. The Celibates is set in Michigan and Illinois during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, at a time when war and social change are pressuring the Catholic Church to look introspectively at its dogma and practices. Kavanaugh presents a good view of the controversy and turmoil of the Church during those years, although personal biases are clearly represented.