Can somebody tell me about Rent-A-Priest?

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gez722

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I ran across a website (www.rentapriest.com) of married priests that make themselves available to various parishes in need of priests. From looking at the website, it appears that these priests were not free to marry in the eyes of the Church. It seems like something shady is going on here and they may have left the priesthood (without permission) in order to get married.

Is it possible that any legitimate priests are involved with this organization? For instance, protestant converts who were already married prior to ordination? I need to know more about Rent-A-Priest and if they are in any way approved by the Vatican.

I am concerned because we have a substitute priest at my parish this week who’s name is on the list. My pastor (who I consider very loyal to the magesterium) highly recommended this priest and said that he was an old friend of his.

I’d just like to know what I’m dealing with before I question anyone about this.

God Bless,
Gary
 
I would call the diocesan chancery and ask them about it. If these priests are married, it seems highly likely that they have lost the privilege to minister the sacraments, except to hear confessions when someone is in immediate danger of death.
 
Most of your Rent-a-priests are not in union with Rome. Faculties are given by the local bishop such as the right to witness marriages and sign marriage licenses. Therefore, when they witness a marriage and sign the certificate, it is not valid and not recognised by the church. Using a priest with no faculties may be a tactic by someone who is not sure they want to be married, because in fact in the eyes of the church, they are not.
 
A few years back we had a problem with a funeral home in this area. They were offering “Catholic” funerals in their chapel using rent-a-priests, whether from this group or free lance, and claiming that they were cheaper than going to a church. They were notified that if it happened even once more they would never again do a funeral in a any Catholic church in this diocese. the practice stopped abruptly.
 
**Who are we?
**CITI is a lay organization that locates, recruits, and promotes the availability of married and other resigned Roman Catholic priests to fill the spiritual needs of God’s people. According to church law (canon law), “Once a priest, always a priest.” Therefore, married priests are not “ex” or “former” priests, they are still priests. In fact, Canon Law says they cannot refuse to ministry to someone who asks (Canon 843). Other canons
right from their website
That should about do it for you.
 
mgy100 said:
Who are we?
CITI is a lay organization that locates, recruits, and promotes the availability of married and other resigned Roman Catholic priests to fill the spiritual needs of God’s people. According to church law (canon law), “Once a priest, always a priest.” Therefore, married priests are not “ex” or “former” priests, they are still priests. In fact, Canon Law says they cannot refuse to ministry to someone who asks (Canon 843). Other canons
right from their website
That should about do it for you.
Click to expand...

Canon 265 states that incardination or faculties are required for a priest to perform his duties. This means a bishop in union with Rome must grant these faculties. Resigned priests are not granted faculties. Those who are married by them are not married in the eyes of the church. We have a priest in our area that has a disagreement with his bishop. He has no faculties and our local bishop can not go against his bishop. We could really use him, but this fellow, who is not married, has no faculties and can not do anything in our diocese. Canon 265 also requires faculties for deacons.
 
Rent a Priest’s are not in union with Rome. On the website they say “The service can be as religious as you wish, including a Mass for those who want one. Everyone will be invited to Communion.” However I’m sure you are aware that the only time non-catholics can receive communion is when the bishop allows it or they are a member of a church that the catholic church is united with. I did want to point out an important note from The Code of Cannon Law Cannon 1349.1 notes a priest who attempts to marry incurs suspension. If they have lost their priestly facilities they can consecrate the Eucharist because you cannot lose you ordination but that consecration is in violation of Cannon Law.
 
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