A Cohort of Married Roman Catholic Priests, and More Are on the Way

[rinnie]

Actually the shortage of priests is depending on area of the world. Roman Catholic stalwarts like the Philippines, and areas of growth like Africa, have a lot of priests. It the Western Nations that are lacking in priests.

And also look at it this way. The world started with 12 Apostles to spead the good news.

We must of course Pray that the men called to the Priesthood will answer the call, but we can also rest assured to the word of God.

I will not leave you orphans. God will always provide for us what we Need, People seem to forget in this world what their Wants and their Needs are anymore.

If a Priest is truly needed, God will provide. That we can believe.

 

[ConstantineTG]

And also look at it this way. The world started with 12 Apostles to spead the good news.

We must of course Pray that the men called to the Priesthood will answer the call, but we can also rest assured to the word of God.

I will not leave you orphans. God will always provide for us what we Need, People seem to forget in this world what their Wants and their Needs are anymore.

If a Priest is truly needed, God will provide. That we can believe.

Already here in the Archdiocese of Vancouver we have many priests who are from different ethnicities, some even come from another country altogether. I remember going to Osoyoos, BC for vacation (its a small town) and spent the weekend there. I was surprised that the parish priest is Filipino, like born and raised in the Philippines.

As long as priests are willing to move around the world and the bishops know where to get them, then there will always be enough priests.

 

[rinnie]

Already here in the Archdiocese of Vancouver we have many priests who are from different ethnicities, some even come from another country altogether. I remember going to Osoyoos, BC for vacation (its a small town) and spent the weekend there. I was surprised that the parish priest is Filipino, like born and raised in the Philippines.

As long as priests are willing to move around the world and the bishops know where to get them, then there will always be enough priests.

 

[rsantos]

The experiment with married Catholic priests who have converted from protestant faiths shows us that married priests ARE accepted by their communities and we/ the Catholic church CAN afford them.

According to CORPUS, an support organization for priests that marry, 90% of married priests want to continue their ministry after marriage. We could add literally thousands of priests to our supply of priests in a very short time if priests who left to marry could reapply to their bishops for active ministry.

Most protestant ministers hold part time or full time paid jobs outside of their ministry as teachers, social workers, nonprofit administrators, etc and there is no reason why married catholic priests could not do the same. Also, the spouse of a priest would be a help mate for his ministry and would be a support to him financially, emotionally, in sickness, retirement, etc.

Our institution of marriage is in trouble. 95% of the married priests in the organization citi ministries have been married for over 25 years-married priests stay married-what better sign / model of God’s presence on earth could there be than the witness of a loving, stable, devoted priest, co-ministering spouse, and family known personally by a parish community?

 

[rsantos]

The idea that a celibate priest is undivided is a myth. Aren’t we all divided, no matter whether single or married? Aren’t we are always having to choose between conflicting obligations- our obligation to work, to make time for ourselves, to make time to help others, to make time for our extended families, neighbors, friends, hobbies, care for home, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc?

Is a usa president with a family necessarily any less committed to his job than a single president? Isn’t it possible that a celibate priest with no family could be just as divided between his ministry and his desire for eating out, vacations, hobbies, special interests, friends, booze, gambling, as he could be divided by a spouse? Might a devoted spouse possibly bring him closer to God and towards greater commitment in his ministry?

A research study -Swensen, Don. 1998. “Religious differences between married and celibate clergy,” Sociology of Religion. 59, 1 (spring)- found no differences in devotion to ministry between married protestant ministers and celibate catholic priests.

 

[gus]

How does the parish sizes compare my understanding. Is a typical parish served by a priest is much larger than one with married. clergy Wouldn’t. marriedpriest be expected to obey the church laws on contrceptives? We would have. to support familes. Don’t laugh at this as it was smaller clergy. Familes that lead to the 1929 Anglican decision to end opposition to birth control.

 

[Hesychios]

The experiment with married Catholic priests who have converted from protestant faiths shows us that married priests ARE accepted by their communities and we/ the Catholic church CAN afford them.

Definitely, the typical Roman Catholic church parish can quite easily afford married priests with families.

 

[Anna_Scott]

I appreciate all the contributions and interesting points of view. Hopefully–more to come.

Thanks,
Anna

 

[Deconi]

The idea that a celibate priest is undivided is a myth. Aren’t we all divided, no matter whether single or married? Aren’t we are always having to choose between conflicting obligations- our obligation to work, to make time for ourselves, to make time to help others, to make time for our extended families, neighbors, friends, hobbies, care for home, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc?

Is a usa president with a family necessarily any less committed to his job than a single president? Isn’t it possible that a celibate priest with no family could be just as divided between his ministry and his desire for eating out, vacations, hobbies, special interests, friends, booze, gambling, as he could be divided by a spouse? Might a devoted spouse possibly bring him closer to God and towards greater commitment in his ministry?

A research study -Swensen, Don. 1998. “Religious differences between married and celibate clergy,” Sociology of Religion. 59, 1 (spring)- found no differences in devotion to ministry between married protestant ministers and celibate catholic priests.

Paul’s call for celibacy doesn’t mean the person becomes dead to human frailties! But from his discourse we can see the hurdles of a married priest compared to an unmarried priesthood!

The personal conflicts of a man without a family, is DIFFERENT to one that has a family. Married men do things they do not want to do, because their wives prefer this to that, or more accurately, the consideration of her wishes determines what decision he makes.

In contrast, the celibate priest serves ‘only’ God and decides in whatever direction he wants, including failing, without external responsibilities to be considered.

I have seen much material on the shortage of priests as justification toward a married priesthood! This is faulty and ignorant of the ramifications. Soon, women priests will be called for! (again)

Let’s not forget WHO owns and guides the Church!

 

[Nicea325]

Definitely, the typical Roman Catholic church parish can quite easily afford married priests with families.

My bother in Christ, may you please elaborate on the “typical” Roman Catholic Church? Are you referring to dynamics or financial?

Thanks

 

[KathleenGee]

We have our parish pastor…he has deacons from the seminary come in every year before they are ordained…my parish has 1/3 of parishioners one could say are well off…and we are growing by leaps and bounds…very contemporary but also very Marian and Pro Life…and very personable community where we know one another.

People are saying they would give more if they had the money to pay for our new faith formation building, and we are paying for our church still…money is very tight…we need the space…children are every where at Sunday School…we don’t have adequate space for the parish children…

I had an excellent and rigorous Catholic grade school education…and my parents paid $50 a month for 3 of us…we had the nuns then…

I think back to the old days of the monasteries who did alot of work in providing health care, education, hostels for travellers, search and rescue…they all living for kingdom and justice first, not marrying…but laying down their lives for Christ in us…

We have lost sight and sense for living the higher calling, or atleast valuing it for the religious…

Nevertheless, married Anglican clergy…the Church will find a way to support their families…having them return is so wonderful…

 

[ConstantineTG]

Definitely, the typical Roman Catholic church parish can quite easily afford married priests with families.

This too. I recently commented on how one of the bigger parishes in the RC archdiocese makes in their weekly collection as much as we make in a year through our weekly collection. I can’t see how they can’t pay the priest more if they want to.

 

[Nicea325]

This too. I recently commented on how one of the bigger parishes in the RC archdiocese makes in their weekly collection as much as we make in a year through our weekly collection. I can’t see how they can’t pay the priest more if they want to.

Because it is more complex than just paying someone more. Dioceses also tax parishes and also have employees to pay and help in other areas. What about the men preparing for the priesthood? Where does the money come from?

 

[rsantos]

Statistic showing a world-wide priest shortage- supply of priest has stayed about the same while the world population has nearly doubled …
cara.georgetown.edu/CARAServices/requestedchurchstats.html

World data over time:

1970	1975	1985	1995	2000	2005	2008

Total priests 419,728 404,783 403,480 404,750 405,178 406,411 409,166
Diocesan priests 270,924 259,331 253,319 262,418 265,781 269,762 274,007
Religious priests 148,804 145,452 150,161 142,332 139,397 136,649 135,159
Diocesan priestly ordinations 4,622 4,140 4,822 6,444 6,814 6,614 6,726
Graduate-level seminarians – – 43,476 54,154 55,968 58,538 58,959
Permanent deacons 309 2,686 12,541 22,390 27,824 33,391 36,539
Religious brothers 79,408 70,388 65,208 59,515 55,057 54,708 54,641
Religious sisters 1,004,304 968,526 917,432 837,961 801,185 760,529 739,068
Parishes 191,398 200,116 212,021 220,077 218,196 217,616 218,865

Without a resident priest pastor 39,431 46,074 55,343 60,705 55,729 52,509 49,631

Catholic 653.6m 709.6m 852.0m 989.4m 1.045b 1.115b 1.166b
population

 

[ConstantineTG]

Because it is more complex than just paying someone more. Dioceses also tax parishes and also have employees to pay and help in other areas. What about the men preparing for the priesthood? Where does the money come from?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the diocese doesn’t pay for someone’s education in the seminary.

And I’d just reiterate my earlier point that married priests do not need to be paid more just because they are married, the same way that secular jobs does not factor marital status on how much to pay someone. On all the areas you mentioned, I don’t see why there would be any difference if the priest is married or single.

 

[KathleenGee]

It is true…the diocese does not pay for the extensive education in priest formation…

Didn’t the Lord always say there would be a shortage of laborers??? We need to pray for them…

 

[1voice]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the diocese doesn’t pay for someone’s education in the seminary.

And I’d just reiterate my earlier point that married priests do not need to be paid more just because they are married, the same way that secular jobs does not factor marital status on how much to pay someone. On all the areas you mentioned, I don’t see why there would be any difference if the priest is married or single.

I will bet you that the Priests are paid a scale based on the fact that they live in the Rectory and dont have to support a family.

 

[SeeMyBday]

bad idea

 

[SeeMyBday]

I think THIS GUY may be the source of the married priest movement.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

The idea that a celibate priest is undivided is a myth. Aren’t we all divided, no matter whether single or married? Aren’t we are always having to choose between conflicting obligations- our obligation to work, to make time for ourselves, to make time to help others, to make time for our extended families, neighbors, friends, hobbies, care for home, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc?

Is a usa president with a family necessarily any less committed to his job than a single president? Isn’t it possible that a celibate priest with no family could be just as divided between his ministry and his desire for eating out, vacations, hobbies, special interests, friends, booze, gambling, as he could be divided by a spouse? Might a devoted spouse possibly bring him closer to God and towards greater commitment in his ministry?

A research study -Swensen, Don. 1998. “Religious differences between married and celibate clergy,” Sociology of Religion. 59, 1 (spring)- found no differences in devotion to ministry between married protestant ministers and celibate catholic priests.

I have read a story of a priest, a former Anglican, who was married and complained that Catholics were too demanding, not remembering that he had a family.
The Catholics were used to their celibate priests, no matter what their humor, ready to serve at all times, and did not understand that he had a family to spend time with…
His idea…