Can priest be drafted into the military?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD27076
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JD27076

Guest
In the US, or any country, is it possible that priest or seminarians could be drafted into the military? Are they exempt? etc.
 
Padre Pio WAS drafted in WW1.

It can happen, secular governments do pretty much what they want especially if there is war.

 
There has been no conscription in the US for over forty years. Clergy and seminarians were always exempt from the draft in the US.
 
We have only two or three Catholic priests who are Finnish, of which one is our present Bishop, but I would say that it is not impossible, in Finland everyone must serve in the army unless they are somehow disable to do so or if they have some sort of vocation that forbid them for use weapons or how to fight, I do think that the most likely place where they would serve would be as priests in the army. But I will check that during the holidays so I will add something to your question later on, good question though.
 
In the US priests are not drafted into the military; they may volunteer as chaplains, with the bishop’s permission. Pope Benedict was drafted into the Nazi army, but he was only 17 and not a priest yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top