Cardinal Parekattil on Priestly Commitment

I am dedicated to God for all eternity. I have taken the irrevocable step. The vision about this step was a solemn profession to remain firm in the service of God till death. The principle remains the same even today, but often its practice yields to compromises. Today, we see the pathetic situation in which not only clerics of lower grade, but even those persons who belong to the higher ranks of priestly order seeking exemption from their vows and leaving. Further the philosophy of "situation ethics" and the like have diluted the value of solemn professions and permanent commitment. For people like me, the priestly life then had all the fullness of the signs of a total dedication.
(From the Autobiography of Cardinal Parekattil)