My Life in Argentina and Beyond

Sex started when the world began. Priests, we must remember, are men. Just men. Eugenia Renskoff

The priest remains celibate (to the world, at least) while he has someone on the side and she is left holding the bag. It did not happen to me, but I have met women who have lived this situation. It is worse than living a lie because it goes on and on. Eugenia Renskoff

Your review on www.amazon.com of my novel Different Flags has been called to my attention. There is no way that I can let your lies do their nasty thing. I never paid Delinger’s or any other publisher to have any of my work published. I am a writer and a darn good one. The publisher paid me, the author, royalties. My book may have some autobiographical elements in it, but it is not an autobiography. It never was intended to be an autobiography. I am very proud of my book because not only did it receive excellent reviews (from both reviewers and readers), it told the truth about a very controversial subject—Priestly Celibacy. I loved that man and he loved me. I never seduced him. The experience of loving him has been one of the most beautiful and exciting of my life. Let me end by saying that I have grounds to sue you for defamation and that you are not a Christian. It is a shame that you should call yourself one. I don’t know you and I never talked to you. I have written to amazon and told them about the falsehood of the things that you have written on their site. Eugenia Renskoff

If there is one thing that Argentina has it is good looking priests. I have seen that a lot and in my novel Different Flags, Padre Luis, is very attractive. That said, I also know about nuns (and other women) drooling. I have seen it often. I mean Optional Celibacy for both men and women. As someone I loved once said: Women are human beings too. She was referring to nuns. She knew some who left to get married and raise a family. Because of my own Forbidden Love, I would love to see optional Celibacy in the Church in my lifetime. It will in no way benefit me personally, but it would bring me relief and peace of mind. And the women in love with priests (I mean truly in love and not just lust, all that) will be relieved too.

Different Flags not an autobiography. It got mostly (8 out of 10, let's say), good reviews. The reviewers liked it, most people who read it liked it. They have written to me and told me so in plain English. If I had wanted to write an autobiography I would have done so, but my life has had many very interesting experiences and it would have been longer than Gone With the Wind. Besides, I am not dead yet nor am I 80 or 90.Eugenia Renskoff

Sex is not love but sex and love (between a man and a woman, for instance) often go together. When you are in love, you want to touch and feel the person you love. You usually do not want to admire one another from afar. Eugenia Renskoff

No one is forced to be ordained, but how many young men believe in celibacy before they become priests? Many. Many cultures, like the Latino, Italian and Irish cultures want a son to be a priest. Many are pushed into it. Trust me. I know. You are not forced, but you have stars oin your eyes and maybe you think, if I become a priest, I can change the world or I can help people, whatever. Then, sometimes, they run into a woman or situation that tests their celibacy. We are all human. I am sure you are too. Eugenia Renskoff

 We do not have optional celibacy. You have to make a vow of celibacy before you are ordained. The vow can be broken if a man/priest falls in love. There is no sin when that happens. Feelings are feelings and repression is harmful. Very harmful. Isn't the Church all for Love? And shouldn't that love be human (as in man/woman) and not just spiritual, serving the parishioners kind of love? Both loves are very noble and should be part of a priest's life if he so chooses. Eugenia Renskoff

Thursday, March 19, 2009: Last week I was interviewed online. The interview can be read by going to www.theapostleswivesclub.com. The interviewer asked me about my novel Different Flags and my thoughts on priestly Celibacy. I am most interested in making a movie out of Different Flags and would gratefully appreciate donations. Thank you. Eugenia Renskoff

Saturday, February 14, 2009: I have no St. Valentine's Day celebration today. There is no love in my life--no human love of any kind, shape or form. I don't feel sorry for myself. What I am is just sad.

I have loved deeply and well and I have no regrets. My love was Forbidden, but I felt it all the same. But I do wish I had a special someone in my life, someone I could be crazy about.