A Priest with a bad history

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BenjaminD

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I have a question.

If an individual had a bad history, did bad things and lived a very sinfull life. Then he became religious and felt a vocation of Priesthood… If he becomes a Priest would his past matter or come to haunt him?

For example, if someone who dislikes him tries to bring up things he did before religion, would this matter for his position in the Church?

-Thank you
 
BenjaminD said:
I have a question.

If an individual had a bad history, did bad things and lived a very sinfull life. Then he became religious and felt a vocation of Priesthood… If he becomes a Priest would his past matter or come to haunt him?

For example, if someone who dislikes him tries to bring up things he did before religion, would this matter for his position in the Church?

-Thank you
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Did it matter that St. Paul murdered Christians before he became Paul?
 
I am thinking of Father Corapi. He has been able to tell his life story of past sins and lead many people to Christ.

The problem would be if an Priest tried to hide his past.
 
St. Augustine of Hippo is an example of one of the canonized saints who led sinful lives before their conversion and yet went on to do great things. I don’t doubt that his past sins brought sorrow to his memory at times but not to the point of despair. I think it is only natural to be forever sorry for our past sins while trusting in the love and mercy of God. One who is called to the priesthood should put his trust in God.
 
There is another priest…one of the Marian Helpers, who published a book last year. Can’t remember the fellow’s name, but he had a ‘past’.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
 
uxordepp said:
There is another priest…one of the Marian Helpers, who published a book last year. Can’t remember the fellow’s name, but he had a ‘past’.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
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Fr. Donald Calloway 👍
 
A priest with a past might be particularly adept at spotting deception, denial and potential trouble ahead when providing counsel. He would know how people get into trouble, but also how to get straight again.
 
BenjaminD said:
I have a question.

If an individual had a bad history, did bad things and lived a very sinfull life. Then he became religious and felt a vocation of Priesthood… If he becomes a Priest would his past matter or come to haunt him?

For example, if someone who dislikes him tries to bring up things he did before religion, would this matter for his position in the Church?

-Thank you
Click to expand...
It depends on the nature of the sins.

Specifically, if the sins involve child pornography, pedaphilia, pederasty, an inability to remain chaste and celibate (heterosexual or SSA), an acceptance of noncelibate homosexual lifestyles, etc. then no.
 
Barbkw said:
It depends on the nature of the sins.

Specifically, if the sins involve child pornography, pedaphilia, pederasty, an inability to remain chaste and celibate (heterosexual or SSA), an acceptance of noncelibate homosexual lifestyles, etc. then no.
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I would imagine that sins of this type, and some others, would bar one from ordination.

But if one’s past sins, properly repented and owned up to, did not prevent him achieving ordination, then unless he tried to “hide” them, there should be no issues. Past sins, as some have suggested, can become a testimony.

ICXC NIKA
 
GEddie said:
I would imagine that sins of this type, and some others, would bar one from ordination.

But if one’s past sins, properly repented and owned up to, did not prevent him achieving ordination, then unless he tried to “hide” them, there should be no issues. Past sins, as some have suggested, can become a testimony.

ICXC NIKA
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I do believe you are correct, that such sins would bar one from ordination, especially in this day. When I first read the OP’s post, I took it to mean that this individual had repented of his past sins, and that was a false assumption to make. Just because one “becomes religious” and thinks he feels a call to the priesthood does not mean that he has in fact repented of a sinful life. He may be in the process of conversion but has not gotten there yet.
 
zab said:
I do believe you are correct, that such sins would bar one from ordination, especially in this day. When I first read the OP’s post, I took it to mean that this individual had repented of his past sins, and that was a false assumption to make. Just because one “becomes religious” and thinks he feels a call to the priesthood does not mean that he has in fact repented of a sinful life. He may be in the process of conversion but has not gotten there yet.
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But that is not a sure thing. The call to Holy Orders comes from Christ through His Church. Many sinners have been called in the past, regardless of sins. I know that the concern today with the safety of children and potential priests having a past with that. But imagine St. Paul were killing and persecuting Christians, yet he was still sent among the many Christians. If God calls one, they will surely be called. Though the likelihood today may be slim, it doesn’t close the door to those with a genuine calling.
 
ConstantineTG said:
But that is not a sure thing. The call to Holy Orders comes from Christ through His Church. Many sinners have been called in the past, regardless of sins. I know that the concern today with the safety of children and potential priests having a past with that. But imagine St. Paul were killing and persecuting Christians, yet he was still sent among the many Christians. If God calls one, they will surely be called. Though the likelihood today may be slim, it doesn’t close the door to those with a genuine calling.
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I don’t doubt that there is the possibility of true conversion and ordination to the priesthood. But I believe that in this day a priest with such a past especially with regard to pedophilia would never be permitted to serve in public.
 
zab said:
I don’t doubt that there is the possibility of true conversion and ordination to the priesthood. But I believe that in this day a priest with such a past especially with regard to pedophilia would never be permitted to serve in public.
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Probably in a very limited way. Or not assign them their own parish.
 
Substitute ‘bad’ with ‘human’ and I think you’ll probably get your answer. As others have pointed out, many people who became great leaders and writers had a ‘history.’ They also had humility and true repentance and, as such, found God standing right besides them, right where He always is.

I suspect the only time the history might be a problem is if it isn’t entirely history yet.
 
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