Can children be ordained to the ministry of priesthood?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD27076
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
JD27076 said:
I know the Canon says a man must reach the age of 25, and the pope can dispense it to 24. But can, lets say, the pope ordain a 12 year old the way he ordains all his priest.

Would that little child be an ordained priest?
Click to expand...
It was a debated opinion at one point, because in less rosy days of the past it was an abuse (often connected with shady practices like maintaining control over certain civil offices and revenues/benefices that accrued to clerical holders). Eventually theologians and canonists admitted it as valid, though clearly an abuse and illicit. Benedict XIV decreed that it should be accepted as such, but minors who receive Holy Orders should be free to make a choice for celibacy upon becoming adults - if yes, then they function as priests, just like any others - if no, then they cannot.
 
JD27076 said:
I know the Canon says a man must reach the age of 25, and the pope can dispense it to 24. But can, lets say, the pope ordain a 12 year old the way he ordains all his priest.

Would that little child be an ordained priest?
Click to expand...
It was a debated opinion at one point, because in less rosy days of the past it was an abuse.However many theologians and canonists admitted it as valid, though clearly an abuse and illicit. Benedict XIV decreed in Eo quamvis tempore (in which he addresses the practise of the Latin Church in the course answering a question on the Coptic Church) that it should be accepted as such, but minors who receive Holy Orders should be free to make a choice for celibacy upon becoming adults - if yes, then they function as priests, just like any others - if no, then they cannot.

However, in light of the theology of ordination as articulated by the Magisterium with regard to the ordination of women, and some differing views on the theology of ordination, some modern day theologians and canonists have questioned the approach that I just mentioned, and called for such ordinations to be declared invalid.
 
He may be well ordained priest at 12 etc but think it be highly unlikely in today’s society. Even if he was exceptionally gifted etc. He still has a lot of living today as a teenager and who would want to take that of him.

But would he ever run a parish church at that age?
 
Peggy_in_Burien said:
That’s a great idea!

Back in the early 1960s, we kids played Mass all the time. Mom would set up the ironing board (same one I’m using tonight to iron Father’s albs), draping it with a sheet. Then we kids would take turns playing priest, using Ritz crackers for “communion.”
Click to expand...
I think this kid is legit.

 
Trishie said:
From The CODE of CANON LAW

Can. 1031 §1. The presbyterate is not to be conferred except on those who have completed the twenty-fifth year of age and possess sufficient maturity; an interval of at least six months is to be observed between the diaconate and the presbyterate. Those destined to the presbyterate are to be admitted to the order of deacon only after completing the twenty-third year of age.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM

No exceptions are enshrined in Canon Law.
Click to expand...
But the Pope is the “law-giver” and therefore*** not bound ***by any Canon.

Br. JREducation has discussed this many times in many other threads,
if you do an “advanced search” of the forums, I am sure you will find what he has to say about the matter.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
But the Pope is the “law-giver” and therefore*** not bound ***by any Canon.

Br. JREducation has discussed this many times in many other threads,
if you do an “advanced search” of the forums, I am sure you will find what he has to say about the matter.
Click to expand...
He is the first among equals and the Servant of the Servants of God, too. He may not be strictly bound by canon law, but he is not free to go off like a loose cannon, either.

It is possible, after all, for the Pope to sin in how he discharges his authority. May every Pope be preserved from this. I don’t know if ordaining a 12 year old would be valid, but considering the yoke being laid on the child’s shoulders–and a 12 year old, regardless of how mature, gifted or intelligent, is still a child–it would be just wrong, as wrong as allowing a 12 year old to marry.
 
EasterJoy said:
He is the first among equals and the Servant of the Servants of God, too. He may not be strictly bound by canon law, but he is not free to go off like a loose cannon, either.
Click to expand...
Let’s make sure first to distinguish between man-mad law (Positive Law) and God-made law (natural and moral laws).

Obviously, the Pope is bound to follow natural and moral laws (as are all people). Positive (man-made) Law is a different creature.

In our democracies, we have laws and statues and constitutions and such which derive their authority usually from the people (in a republic). The Vatican, however, is a Monarchy (in political terms, the Pope is an absolute monarch). Positive Law (Canon Law is an example of Positive Law) derives its authority from the Pope himself. Therefore, the Pope has the ability to change those laws or give himself an exception that is not explicitly written in because he is the lawgiver. The Pope is the legislature and the president, if he wants to decree a new law he is able to by his own authority (the Anglican Ordinariate is an example, there is nothing in Canon Law to provide for the establishment of them. The Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus provides that basis, which the Pope can promulgate on his own authority).
EasterJoy said:
It is possible, after all, for the Pope to sin in how he discharges his authority. May every Pope be preserved from this. I don’t know if ordaining a 12 year old would be valid, but considering the yoke being laid on the child’s shoulders–and a 12 year old, regardless of how mature, gifted or intelligent, is still a child–it would be just wrong, as wrong as allowing a 12 year old to marry.
Click to expand...
So long as you understand that the Pope would have such authority in the first place. Whether or not it is a prudent decision is another question entirely, but in my humble opinion if the Pope decides this is what is needed for the operation of the Church then I would stand behind his decision.
 
For a bit of liturgical fun, how about a general restoration of the popular Medieval European custom of Boy Bishops?

A very popular custom in England and since revived in some places here.

newadvent.org/cathen/02725a.htm
 
Trishie said:
From The CODE of CANON LAW

Can. 1031 §1. The presbyterate is not to be conferred except on those who have completed the twenty-fifth year of age and possess sufficient maturity; an interval of at least six months is to be observed between the diaconate and the presbyterate. Those destined to the presbyterate are to be admitted to the order of deacon only after completing the twenty-third year of age.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM

No exceptions are enshrined in Canon Law.
Click to expand...
Indeed, but who can rewrite canon law if he wishes? The holy father. We’re talking about it on a technical level, whether it’d be valid or not.
 
Peggy_in_Burien said:
Your picture didn’t show up for me, so what kid is legit?

I was answering the poster ahead of me who asked if Fischer-Price made Mass Kits like they make Doctor or Nurse Kits for kids.

Just being funny.😃
Click to expand...
It disappeared. It’s on Fr. Z’s blog, WDTPRS under a question regarding children playing Mass.
 
TevereNauta said:
I think there is much wisdom in the Church ordaining men only >25…however, I do not think it is technically impossible at all.

Some sources say Benedict XI became pope at only age 11 (I know his was not a sterling pontificate either) and Pope John XII (also with a bad record, so to speak, though he never taught error) died at the age of 27, having been made Pope at only 18. Of course in the Middle Ages the average life expectancy was only about 35 I think (of course skewed by the infant mortality rate).

Interesting topic though. I agree with the above poster that, as far as I know about the Sacrament of Holy Orders itself, there would be nothing to preclude someone having reached the age of reason from being ordained, technically speaking.
Click to expand...
Not life expectancy, but perhaps average lifespan, figuring in infant mortality…

People lived into their 90s and even 100s back then - rare though it may have been.
 
I’ve got a 5 year old who acts like someone ordained her Pope; does that count? 😛
 
TevereNauta said:
I think there is much wisdom in the Church ordaining men only >25…however, I do not think it is technically impossible at all.

Some sources say Benedict XI became pope at only age 11 (I know his was not a sterling pontificate either) and Pope John XII (also with a bad record, so to speak, though he never taught error) died at the age of 27, having been made Pope at only 18. Of course in the Middle Ages the average life expectancy was only about 35 I think (of course skewed by the infant mortality rate).

Interesting topic though. I agree with the above poster that, as far as I know about the Sacrament of Holy Orders itself, there would be nothing to preclude someone having reached the age of reason from being ordained, technically speaking.
Click to expand...
According to wikipedia, that was 20 for Benedict IX, and a bad pontificate. Here’s a pope aged 24:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_V

And here 18:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XII

But originally there was a belief that a bishop shouldn’t really change sees, even the bishop of Rome was then often a priest, deacon or layman upon election, so it wasn’t like today (long time as bishop, then cardinal for more than just a couple of years, then conclave).
 
chevalier said:
But originally there was a belief that a bishop shouldn’t really change sees, even the bishop of Rome was then often a priest, deacon or layman upon election, so it wasn’t like today (long time as bishop, then cardinal for more than just a couple of years, then conclave).
Click to expand...
for several hundred years, the archdeacon (?) of Rome was elected Pope in all but one election.

For the first couple of centuries or so, clergy did not tend to switch to “higher” orders; once selected as deacon, presbtyr (priest), or bishop, that was what one remained.

after that, for some time, bishops were elected more often from the deacons than presbyters.

hawk
 
dochawk said:
for several hundred years, the archdeacon (?) of Rome was elected Pope in all but one election.

…after that, for some time, bishops were elected more often from the deacons than presbyters.hawk
Click to expand...
I would be interested in reading a source for this claim.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top