I choose priesthood.  

I am just two years away from ordination, and today the priesthood is under fire, the priest is under suspicion. We all know why.  

There are very real and evident victims. Knowing that one of the reasons I want to be a priest is to do good and lead people to what is right and good by example, word and deed makes my heart go out all the more to those who have been deceived and whose lives have been damaged, at times irremediably.  

And there are other, less evident victims, the reputation of all good priests and seminarians has been tarnished, too. This newspaper quite appropriately called this the "collateral damage" of priestly sexual misconduct.  

The Romans also used to persecute priests, Ignatius of Antioch was fed to the lions and Polycarp was burned alive. Nowadays, there's no need for such drastic measures. A rumor here, an accusation there, an anonymous declaration to the local press, about Father So-and-So. It doesn't matter whether or not the claims are true. Either way, the priest's reputation is ruined forever. 

If a priest is wrongly accused, he is guilty even if proven innocent. People will never look at him the same way again. Eyes will lower during his homilies, parents will forbid their sons from serving as altar boys at his Masses. No school will have him as chaplain. Even among the people who remain friendly and supportive, outwardly trusting in his innocence, there will always be that little something held back, that nagging doubt: What if it's true? 

Ordination used to mean being nailed to the cross, now it can also mean putting your head on the chopping block. What is a future priest to do?  

The way I see it, I have several choices. I can opt out, I can bury my head in the sand and adopt a "that could never-happen-to-me" attitude, or I can make a firm commitment right here and now to live a prayerful, zealous, disciplined, careful priestly life - in short, a life of holiness and prudence. 

Addressing this very subject last month, Pope John Paul II said in his "Letter to Priests": "We must beg God in his providence to prompt a wholehearted reawakening of those ideals of total self-giving to Christ which are the very foundation of the priestly ministry." 

"Therefore, take up the armor of God," advised St. Paul (Ephesians 6: 13). If this means that, as a future priest, I will have to lay down some strict rules and stick to them, so be it. Holiness isn't just lived on your knees. It could mean installing glass doors in the rectory so that everyone can see what is going on inside my office, and wearing my Roman collar even if I'm going out to lunch with my sister. It definitely means never being alone with a child where I can't be seen.  

Lay people also have a role to play. First, we need your holiness. Holy priests come from holy Catholic families. We need you to speak positively about the priesthood and priestly vocations. Second, we need your direct engagement as chaperons, driver and mentors in the parish. Father cannot and should not have to do it all himself. Third, priests count on your moral and effective support. If you hear someone spreading unsubstantiated rumors about a priest, don't let the cat get your tongue, make it perfectly clear, right then and there, that you will not allow a man's reputation to be unjustly ruined for life. 

Some would say it is a scary lime to choose priesthood, but wait minute! This is no time to throw in the towel. The Church needs priests. Badly, The people of God need priests. Holy priests! Who will celebrate the Eucharist if there are no priests? How will they believe if there is no one to preach (Romans 10:14)? Dante remarked that the hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in time of great moral crisis. Ignatius and Polycarp didn't shrink from their calling. They knew full well the consequences of their call. The Reformation was also a time of decadence and it took saints the likes of Ignatius of Loyola, Theresa of Avila, and Thomas More - clergy, religious and laity - to renew the Church from within.  

"For our struggle is nor against enemies of blood, and flesh, bur against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil" (Eph 6: 12), When St, Paul speaks about "authorities and "powers," he is referring to the Evil One, who else could it be?  

Who will fight the good fight against this formidable foe? Who will "overcome evil by doing good" (Romans 12:21)"? "Here I am, Lord" Isaiah rushed to answer when he heard God say, "whom shall I send?"  

And by the way, if you are thinking about saying yes to God, don't hesitate for a minute. It's a great time to choose priesthood.