Can someone give me an outside opinion on my vocation?

[Bluebright]

Not at all. Neither is it sad, its an absolute joy, celibacy is a very precious gift given only to some. However, its desperately sad that you see it this way. I shall pray for you.

 

[Hodos]

Not at all. Neither is it sad, its an absolute joy, celibacy is a very precious gift given only to some. However, its desperately sad that you see it this way. I shall pray for you.

And marriage is a very precious gift as well. Given also to the clergy which Paul addresses when providing the criteria by which deacons and bishops are to be selected:

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

If Paul used a man’s performance as a husband and head of household as one of the main criteria by which a bishop should be selected, then why would this be taken away from those who would serve God in clerical positions, and why would we rob the Church of this ability to discern those who are fit to serve?

You mistake what I am saying if you think that I am downplaying celibacy. I hold celibacy in high regard. You on the other hand are making the precious gift of marriage (our second vocation if you read Genesis, the first being to exercise authority over creation) as somehow unholy or earthy. As I have stated in other forum threads on similar topics, the prohibition against marriage to the clergy is canon law, which can be changed, not doctrine. I thank you for your prayers and will pray equally fervently that the Holy Spirit would shine a light on the scriptures for you.

 

[HeDa]

Just because someone comes from another Christian communities doesn’t mean that they are automatically ordained as deacons or priests in the Catholic Church.

First there is usually three years minimum when they are just Catholics working and supporting their families. Then if the wife, bishop, parish priest and other persons involved in the process all say “yes” to the former protestant priest/pastor to start the process of becoming ordained in the Church then there are usually three or more years of studies, of them one is in Rome. Then being ordained as deacon and being that for maybe 6 months (since they are older and experienced) and then the ordination as a priest. If one of them during the years says “no” then it is “no” to continue. During this time the wife is doing studies as well and will have separate meetings with the bishop and other persons involved in the ordination process.

I would say that very few priests/pastors go through with being received into the Catholic Church when they are told what the process is for them to be ordained as Catholic deacons and priests. I have heard 10% convert and I have no idea of how few of them are then ordained either as deacons or priests in the Catholic Church.