Being banned from the Priesthood

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Are there any specific things that would ban someone from going into seminary and becoming a Priest and if so, what are they?
 
Are there any specific things that would ban someone from going into seminary and becoming a Priest and if so, what are they?
A criminal history.
Pedophilia.
Being a practicing homosexual.
Being a heretic.
Trying to get into the seminary for reasons not spiritual, i.e. to get out of debt or hide from the law.
 
I know for almost certain that if one has a big personal financial debt that is an issue and would probably bar one from becoming a Priest until the debt is paid off,

I think tattoos are an issue to, I have researched a little about it, and it involves things like what are the tattoos of, where are they located on the body( are they visible ). And it is up to the Bishop as to if the tattoo(s) need to be removed or not, I had my tattoos done when I was in the Army, and one a few years back, but did not do so with the idea that one day I would want to be a priest or brother and would hope that would be taken into consideration, that and my tattoos are able to be covered easily.

Also I am almost certain that ones mental health is also an issue, one can not have extreme mental problems, and I think any severe medical disease/ stds would also bar one from being accepted ( not certain just what i have read )

I am uncertain as to men who are divorced and may or may not have children, I think one can be married before one becomes a deacon though.

I suspect though that previous marrage and any medical issues would be left up to the Bishop to decide to some extent.

I would also suspect that a divorced man would need a legally clean slate, not oweing child support or any other financial debt to an ex wife.

One has to of course be free of drugs and alcohol,

having a criminal record would probably also give someone concern but again that would probably be a rare instance and circumstances pending.

That is what I can figure off hand from rough internet searches.
 
If you have other pressing obligations, i.e. caring for children, supporting someone financially/physically
Rejecting Church teaching
Not being Catholic
Unable to stay in a state of grace for extended periods of time.

To name a few 🙂
 
All the above especially the Code of Canon Law entry,

But I would add. Anything that the bishop or religious superior decides upon as a reason to disqualify candidates.

As no one has a right to be ordained there can be no discrimination.

Unless a man is turned down for one of the reasons listed in the Code of Canon Law he is free to approach another bishop or religious superior to apply to.
 
In addition to the OP’s original question: if a person had a serious physical illness, possibly a terminal one, could that disqualify from the priesthood?

A couple of weeks ago, in the UK, a man was ordained a priest when he was terminally ill with leukemia and he died a short time later. I’m assuming he only found out he was ill well into his studies, but if he was ill before he started seminary, would he have been allowed to continue anyway?
 
It is up to each bishop or superior to decide if he will accept a candidate. Depending on the illness, he may decide someone is simply not capable of committing to the duties of being a priest.

Once again we all need to remember that no one has a right to be a priest. The authority to call a man to the priesthood is vested in the bishop/major religious superior. The rest of us don’t get an opinion.
 
If you have other pressing obligations, i.e. caring for children, supporting someone financially/physically
Rejecting Church teaching
Not being Catholic
Unable to stay in a state of grace for extended periods of time.

To name a few 🙂
About: Rejecting Church teaching
Only in theory, but actually many seminaries do not care anymore.😦
 
Would a man who was married and the marriage received a decree of nullity, then be able to receive orders?
Yes. We had one not too long ago from our diocese. It had to be approved by the Vatican. However, it is up to the Bishop. Some Bishops won’t even consider divorced men - with or without an annulment. If there are children that still need his support, he wouldn’t be accepted either.
 
Would a man who was married and the marriage received a decree of nullity, then be able to receive orders?
Yes he would be able to but some groups disqualify these individuals.

I know of at least one diocese that will not accept such men as candidates for the priesthood.
 
About: Rejecting Church teaching
Only in theory, but actually many seminaries do not care anymore.😦
As a religious studying for the priesthood I have to say that this is a very offensive comment.
 
Obviously, women and married men cannot become priests. However, I think that you can become a priest if your marriage is annulled or if your wife dies.

I wonder if a man could still be a priest if he has illegitimate kids who are in the mother’s custody (i.e. he doesn’t have an obligation to care for them). Having sex outside of marriage is, of course, a mortal sin, but if the guilt of it has been absolved through confession, then it might not matter.

A person who is excommunicated cannot become a priest until the excommunication is lifted.

A person cannot become a priest if he has a serious physical or mental disability that prevents him from performing him duty adequately.

A major prerequisite to entering seminary is willingness to totally dedicate oneself to our Lord Jesus Christ. If someone is not willing to do this, then he may not become a priest.
 
Obviously, women and married men cannot become priests. However, I think that you can become a priest if your marriage is annulled or if your wife dies.
Actually married men can and do become priests.

It is only in the Latin Church that the discipline for celibacy for secular priests is held but the Latin Church does ordain married men who are ministers in other ecclesiastical communities that convert to Catholicism.
 
As a religious studying for the priesthood I have to say that this is a very offensive comment.
As a lay woman, I found it offensive too. While seminarians are not immune from heterodoxy, I can’t imagine anyone dedicating his life to the Church if he didn’t care.
 
As a lay woman, I found it offensive too. While seminarians are not immune from heterodoxy, I can’t imagine anyone dedicating his life to the Church if he didn’t care.
I found the comment strange and misplaced. My thoughts to priests, lay women and all of those who give their life and time to the church. Bless you all.
 
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