A question about the policy of priests being parents

[ccmcmg]

I’m obviously not elaborating on that plot point here, because it’s not related to my question, but the emprisoned man loses the custody of that second child on trial. As I said, what I’m interested is in what the priest can be allowed to do.

While you might not consider it a major plot point, it is important, as another noted. Losing custody=not living with or raising said child; rights being severed=the child is available for adoption, and both sides lose any and all rights to each other legally, and are no longer obligated to each other.

I’d consider myself an ‘expert’ in knowing the difference. It’s me.

 

[Qstions]

While you might not consider it a major plot point, it is important, as another noted. Losing custody=not living with or raising said child; rights being severed=the child is available for adoption, and both sides lose any and all rights to each other legally, and are no longer obligated to each other.

It’s important, just: a) not what I’m asking in this forum. I already have legal advisors for those things. b) as I’m starting to get tired to say, I’m not an English speaker and legal terms in this language are unknown to me. If I say “adopting”, I might mean “fostering”, for instance, or things like that.

I’d consider myself an ‘expert’ in knowing the difference. It’s me.

Ok.

 

[otjm]

My recollection is of a priest adopting a boy; but the information is decades old. If you want to know the Church “legal” side, hunt down a Canon lawyer - one who deals with Church law.

For timelines - almost all diocesan priests need a college degree before starting the study of theology; and if the degree is not Philosophy, they (most like) will need the equivalent of a major in Philosophy before starting theology - so they will need about 6 years before being ordained.

Add that to the time from when the relationship broke off - gestation of 8 months or more, plus some time to shift from having sexual relations with a woman (or more) to recognizing a vocation, and the child is probably a minimum of 8 to 10 years old. Probably middle school or possibly starting high school.

Adopting while a member of an order is near impossible due to how orders are organized.

Good luck!

 

[Qstions]

My recollection is of a priest adopting a boy; but the information is decades old. If you want to know the Church “legal” side, hunt down a Canon lawyer - one who deals with Church law.

Yes, that’s now a part of my research list. It might take a while, because there are many other experts I also need to interview about other matters.

For timelines - almost all diocesan priests need a college degree before starting the study of theology; and if the degree is not Philosophy, they (most like) will need the equivalent of a major in Philosophy before starting theology - so they will need about 6 years before being ordained.

Add that to the time from when the relationship broke off - gestation of 8 months or more, plus some time to shift from having sexual relations with a woman (or more) to recognizing a vocation, and the child is probably a minimum of 8 to 10 years old. Probably middle school or possibly starting high school.

Unless he already had a college degree before the relationship? Or wouldn’t that be valid? I was intending for the child to be about 6 when he has to take her, though that probably won’t be stated anyway. I just like to know myself for the creation process.

Adopting while a member of an order is near impossible due to how orders are organized.

Good luck!

Yes, I see being from an order is becoming less and less likely.

And thanks! Good luck for you too!

 

[Vico]

Good day to all of you.

I’ve got some questions that I need to have answered for a subplot on a book I’m writting. I want that particular point to be accurate, so please answer honestly, if you know what the real Catholic policy towards these points is, not your moral opinion (which is welcome, but don’t present it as canon!)

Let’s say a man has a steady relationship with a woman, but they aren’t married. He is very loving towards her, but she’s a bit of a loose cannon, and she leaves him without warning one day. He’s unable to find her again, and he doesn’t know she was pregnant with his child.

So, a short time latter, the man has his calling and decides to become a priest. As neither he, nor the order know he’s a parent, he’s allowed to do so.

Then, some years later, when he’s already ordered, the woman is about to die and she confesses to the priest that her daugther is also his.

Now, I know priests are allowed to adopt (with the necessasry permissions, and such), because I’ve already researched a bit about that. But in this particular case, can he be granted custody of his own biological daugther and still retain his priesthood?

That’s my main question. bu, in any case, let’s say I want to complicate things further: the woman had been living with an abusive man, who fathered a second child. Being that the priest was allowed to keep his biological daughter (which is the first thing I need to know to proceed), do you think he could be able to also adopt that younger child, now that the mother is dead and the father is in prison?

As I said, I simply want to know if it can be done, but as you can see, the case itself raises a lot of moral questions, so the debate can probably help my raise a lot of issues. And please be respectful about everyone’s opinions

PS. English isn’t my language, so I’m sorry if my writting is a bit confuse.

It may help to know that Holy Orders (becoming a priest) is possible after being married but not after. These are approved individually. So it is already possible for a priest to have children. It is more common in europe for eastern Catholics. There are eastern Catholic Churches (22 of them) all in full communion with Rome. Also there are some Latin Catholic priest that are married. Some examples of married Catholic priests:

Father Wissam Akiki St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral in St. Louis, Mo.

Married convert to Catholic now priests:

Father Allan Hawkins of St. Mary the Virgin Catholic Church, Arlington, Texas. wife José.

The entire Episcopal congregation along and Father Hawkins became full members of the Catholic Church, and he became a Catholic priest.

Former Episcopal:

Father John Ellis, St. Cloud, Florida - wife Burgess
Father Bob McElwee, Frontenac, Kansas - wife Ginger
Father Steve Anderson, Grand Blanc, Michigan - wife Cindy

Former Methodist:

Father Jim McGhee, Keller, Texas - wife Ann

 

[otjm]

Yes, that’s now a part of my research list. It might take a while, because there are many other experts I also need to interview about other matters.

You are definitely on the right track/

Unless he already had a college degree before the relationship? Or wouldn’t that be valid? I was intending for the child to be about 6 when he has to take her, though that probably won’t be stated anyway. I just like to know myself for the creation process.

If the college degree were in Philosophy, then yes, that would cut the tie; but if it were in just about anything else, from what I have heard he normally would have to take enough philosophy to make a major. So that would add 2 years, before he started theology.

And realistically, there is normally some period of contemplation (for lack of a better term) before one enters seminary. Not to be rude and crude about it, but it is not too realistic to think he will pop out of bed with her, and a short time later enter Theology with the intent of permanent celibacy. Both he and those vetting him would need time to determine if this was truly a change of mind, heart and soul. It takes a bit more than an application, a check to cover fees, passing a Graduate Records Exam, sending in a transcript and buying a black suit to enter seminary. It is graduate school, but a bit more than just an advanced degree.

 

[G_S]

Before my ordination to the diaconate, I had to make a profession of faith and take an oath with my hand on the Book of the Gospels. It was done in a simple meeting room but was very (I’m looking for the right word) intense. During the ordination, I had to place my hands between those of the bishop and answer “I do” to the question, “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?” The single men being ordained would also come up individually to make their promise of celibacy. There are other promises made during the ordination as well. These promises are just as binding morally as a vow would be.