castration and priests

[curumba13]

hi all

here is another random question. apparently, if a man is castrated then he is not allowed to become a priest. firstly, is this true? and if so, what if a priest had an accident where his ‘bits’ were cut off for instance, could he still remain a priest or would he automatically have to leave the priesthood?

 

[Warrior1979]

here is another random question. apparently, if a man is castrated then he is not allowed to become a priest. firstly, is this true?

I have read a reply to a similar question from either an apologist or priest a while back that confirms what you noted is true. Unfortunately I can’t find the reply. I do remember the reply noting that even though a priest will not have relations because of his vows, he must have the capacity to do so.

However, I can’t remember the reason why this is the case.

 

[runningdude]

I got scared by this question at first, lol (too much time answering Catholic questions at Yahoo answers…)

I think that Castration ordinarily refers to a deliberate procedure. For instance, If it were self inflicted, that might be a sign of mental illness. If it were a penalty for a crime (such as “chemical castration” for a sex-offense), then the crime might disqualify the man.

But I would think that if it were simply a case of injury, it would not automatically rule out an otherwise qualified person for the vocation.

 

[Warrior1979]

But I would think that if it were simply a case of injury, it would not automatically rule out an otherwise qualified person for the vocation.

I’m not so sure. Example: Impotency excludes one’s from marriage in the Catholic Church, regardless of cause. It even excludes one from a Josephite marriage.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

If a person were to be castrated because of injury, or because of a disease such as cancer, then they could be validly ordained. Whether or not a seminary would accept the person is another matter, they would need to meet all of the regular requirements.

If a person were castrated by choice, or by reason of law, it is not valid to ordain them. They have mutilated their body in the first case, and they have committed a crime in the second that would disqualify them from ordination.

 

[DavidFilmer]

The very first Canon of the very first truly Ecumenical Council (Nicea) addressed this issue:

If anyone in sickness has undergone surgery at the hands of physicians or has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the clergy. But if anyone in good health has castrated himself, if he is enrolled among the clergy he should be suspended, and in future no such man should be promoted. But, as it is evident that this refers to those who are responsible for the condition and presume to castrate themselves, so too if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians or by their masters, but have been found worthy, the canon admits such men to the clergy.

In other words, willful castration is not permitted, but forced castration, or castration which is deemed medically necessary, is not an impediment to Catholic ministry. I believe we may thus infer that accidental castration is also not an impediment.

 

[runningdude]

The very first Canon of the very first truly Ecumenical Council (Nicea) addressed this issue:

In other words, willful castration is not permitted, but forced castration, or castration which is deemed medically necessary, is not an impediment to Catholic ministry. I believe we may thus infer that accidental castration is also not an impediment.

Awesome find!

 

[Old_and_New]

Is there a scriptural reason for not allowing a castrated Priest?

I understand according to Lev 21 that priests of Aaron were to be unblemished.

Lev 21:20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;

In the New Testament though, the Savior seems to approve of eunuchs.

Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it

 

[brb3]

Is there a scriptural reason for not allowing a castrated Priest?

I understand according to Lev 21 that priests of Aaron were to be unblemished.

Lev 21:20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;

In the New Testament though, the Savior seems to approve of eunuchs.

Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it

What does Matt.19:12 mean …The last sentence ?

 

[andy92]

Source

Canon Law 1041

1° one who suffers from any form of insanity, or from any other psychological infirmity, because of which he is, after experts have been consulted, judged incapable of being able to fulfil the ministry;

2° one who has committed the offence of apostasy, heresy or schism;

3° one who has attempted marriage, even a civil marriage, either while himself prevented from entering marriage whether by an existing marriage bond or by a sacred order or by a public and perpetual vow of chastity, or with a woman who is validly married or is obliged by the same vow;

4° one who has committed wilful homicide, or one who has actually procured an abortion, and all who have positively cooperated;

5° one who has gravely and maliciously mutilated himself or another, or who has attempted suicide;

Castration falls into this category

6° one who has carried out an act of order which is reserved to those in the order of the episcopate or priesthood, while himself either not possessing that order or being barred from its exercise by some canonical penalty, declared or imposed.

 

[Shiranui117]

hi all

here is another random question. apparently, if a man is castrated then he is not allowed to become a priest. firstly, is this true? and if so, what if a priest had an accident where his ‘bits’ were cut off for instance, could he still remain a priest or would he automatically have to leave the priesthood?

This was covered in the First Council of Nicaea. If the priest was castrated against his will as the result of either an accident or torture, then it’s not counted against him, and he is not forbidden from the priesthood.