K
KathleenElsie
Guest
An older thread was reserected (forgive the pun) so I thought a new one would be better. There is a thread that is talking about priestless parishes and this is an off shoot.
- Status
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
Another older thread was reserected. So here is a new one.
Another thread is discussion priestless parishes and this might be a natural next question.
Another thread is discussion priestless parishes and this might be a natural next question.
P
Phemie
Guest
Even in the Eastern Rite Churches priests aren’t allowed to marry and Bishops are never chosen from among the married clergy.
I would support a married man becoming a priest (without having had to be a Protestant minister first, I mean) but we would have to radically change the way we support our priests. I doubt a married man with a family would survive in a parish like ours where our secular priests make less than 24K/year.
I would support a married man becoming a priest (without having had to be a Protestant minister first, I mean) but we would have to radically change the way we support our priests. I doubt a married man with a family would survive in a parish like ours where our secular priests make less than 24K/year.
D
Dempsey1919
Guest
I used to promote the idea of married clergy. Now I do not.
Celebacy enables the priest to devote his ENTIRE life to the service of Christ and his Church. He is married to the Church, and the faithful are his family. He is there to care for us. If a priest is married, then they will find it hard to devote themselves entirely to their ministry.
By being celebate, the follow the examples of Christ, the Blessed Mother, and countless Saints.
Celebacy enables the priest to devote his ENTIRE life to the service of Christ and his Church. He is married to the Church, and the faithful are his family. He is there to care for us. If a priest is married, then they will find it hard to devote themselves entirely to their ministry.
By being celebate, the follow the examples of Christ, the Blessed Mother, and countless Saints.
B
bilop
Guest
I am fine with the idea of ordaining married men.
Given the large number of married priests in the Eastern Church (for milennia), and a growing number in the Latin Church, I can’t see how any Catholic can say there is anything wrong with them in principal.
If Rome decides that we could have more good priests by allowing married men to be ordained, I’m all for it. It would probably be best to start with candidates who are older, who’s children are grown, and wouldn’t rely on the Church salary to support their family. Perhaps retired members of the permanent Diaconate.
God Bless
Given the large number of married priests in the Eastern Church (for milennia), and a growing number in the Latin Church, I can’t see how any Catholic can say there is anything wrong with them in principal.
If Rome decides that we could have more good priests by allowing married men to be ordained, I’m all for it. It would probably be best to start with candidates who are older, who’s children are grown, and wouldn’t rely on the Church salary to support their family. Perhaps retired members of the permanent Diaconate.
God Bless
A
Angel_Bradford
Guest
I was talking to our parochial vicar about this recently and asked him if the “rules” were changed, would he marry. He said that after being ordained for 3 1/2 years now, he doesn’t see how he could possibly support a family emotionally with the hours he puts into his ministry.
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
This is a duplicate post Please referr to the one with the poll.
C
Corki
Guest
Once ordained, a priest is not able to marry. He is not properly disposed for the Sacrament. I don’t think this can ever change.
While there is a tradition of married men becoming priests, even in the East only celibate priests are ordained as Bishops.
Now, I do think the Church might try expanding, on a trial basis ordaining more married men. Those who have converted from Anglicanism, for example, have been a positive contribution. A logical next step might be to allow some married deacons, to enter seminary to discern priestly ordination. Currently widowers can sometimes enter the seminary as long as there are not small children at home that need attention. Older married men without dependants (besides their wives) might also be good candidates.
In my opinion, married priests would be better suited to roles other than parish ministry.
While there is a tradition of married men becoming priests, even in the East only celibate priests are ordained as Bishops.
Now, I do think the Church might try expanding, on a trial basis ordaining more married men. Those who have converted from Anglicanism, for example, have been a positive contribution. A logical next step might be to allow some married deacons, to enter seminary to discern priestly ordination. Currently widowers can sometimes enter the seminary as long as there are not small children at home that need attention. Older married men without dependants (besides their wives) might also be good candidates.
In my opinion, married priests would be better suited to roles other than parish ministry.
T
Tantum_ergo
Guest
Luckily our opinions (while interesting, informative, and even entertaining) aren’t strictly ‘necessary’.
If the Church mades the prudential decision (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to permit married clergy, the Church will do so, and it will make any ‘reason why’ quite clear. And that reason will be the ‘right reason’ whether WE think it is or not.
IOW, it is for the Church to decide. We can give opinions as to why the Church MIGHT do so. . .but we have no say as to whether the Church ‘should allow it’ . The Church isn’t a democracy and decisions aren’t made by ‘majority rule.’
If the Church mades the prudential decision (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to permit married clergy, the Church will do so, and it will make any ‘reason why’ quite clear. And that reason will be the ‘right reason’ whether WE think it is or not.
IOW, it is for the Church to decide. We can give opinions as to why the Church MIGHT do so. . .but we have no say as to whether the Church ‘should allow it’ . The Church isn’t a democracy and decisions aren’t made by ‘majority rule.’
D
Dempsey1919
Guest
I used to promote the idea of married clergy. Now I do not.
Celebacy enables the priest to devote his ENTIRE life to the service of Christ and his Church. He is married to the Church, and the faithful are his family. He is there to care for us. If a priest is married, then they will find it hard to devote themselves entirely to their ministry.
By being celebate, the follow the examples of Christ, the Blessed Mother, and countless saints.
Celebacy enables the priest to devote his ENTIRE life to the service of Christ and his Church. He is married to the Church, and the faithful are his family. He is there to care for us. If a priest is married, then they will find it hard to devote themselves entirely to their ministry.
By being celebate, the follow the examples of Christ, the Blessed Mother, and countless saints.
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
The time might have come for the priest that are serving as Diocese priests (those that do not take a vow of poverty or marriage vows to the church only) to be able to enter sacramental marriages.
Please this is a discussion about a male only priesthood. Don’t derail it with another agenda.
Please this is a discussion about a male only priesthood. Don’t derail it with another agenda.
T
Tantum_ergo
Guest
I voted ‘maybe’ because it is for the CHURCH to decide, not for me to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit and He makes the decision. . .not us.
B
bilop
Guest
I can’t answer your poll. It is impossible for an active priest or deacon to contract a valid Catholic marriage. Holy orders are an impediment to marriage.
Do you mean to ask about ordaining married men?
God Bless
Do you mean to ask about ordaining married men?
God Bless
S
sseason
Guest
AMEN!And if God wants priest to marry, He will send His Holy Spirit upon Rome and the rules would change. Until then…SO BE the beautiful celebacy of our priests. And may God bless them for giving their lives to the Church for our sake and for saying “yes” to Gods call to them. :clapping:
Peace be to everyone on this website and to all involved in creating it!
D
Dempsey1919
Guest
Why?
Do you think it would encourage vocations?
I don’t think it would. How could a priest support a family on the meagre wages he would earn? A married priest would be unable to give his whole attention to his family, and his marriage would suffer as a result.
B
bilop
Guest
You would likely ordain retired married men who’s children are grown. This is what they did in the early Church.
A 60 year old man, who had financial resources, could support his wife, and serve the Church for 20-25 years, given current life expectancies.
God Bless
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
I really like your suggestion of the permanent Deacons.
L
lizaanne
Guest
I don’t vote in public polls.
I do not belive a man can serve two vocations. No, priests and bishops should not be allowed to marry.
~Liza
I do not belive a man can serve two vocations. No, priests and bishops should not be allowed to marry.
~Liza
D
Dempsey1919
Guest
This is a great post! You are right. Celebacy is a beautiful thing. Our priests have committed themselves fully to the service of Christ. They have sacrificed the love of a family to serve us.
B
bilop
Guest
What about the Eastern priests (Catholic and Orthodox) who have been faithfully serving the Church for two millenia?
They are just as much priests as celibate ones.
God Bless
- Status