Could Catholic priests could benifit from being married?

[DC31]

Celibacy has nothing to do with pedophiles. A former protestant minister, married with children who was pastor of my church, was a pedophile.

My son-in-law molested his own young daughter. Oh by the way since he isn’t a priest he has gotten away with it. I get tired of hearing the same old arguments that have no factual basis.

When and if the Roman Catholic Church (Latin Rite) decides that priests can be married, then we will accept that the Church has changed a discipline.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

The points that you made in your post illustrate why ending clerical celibacy for Latin Rite Catholicism is not the solution to the controversy. Kudos for contributing the post.
I am sorry for the tragedies you have suffered in both your church and your family. Even though I am not too surprised, it does not affect horror of what happened. Of course I agree with what you said here.
However, you must have courage that your son-in-law will have his comeuppance for what he has done–either in this world on the next. I believe you will be in our prayers.

Keep the faith.

 

[DC31]

I heartily second Bernadette’s response.

Yes, clerical celibacy is a discipline and can change. The Holy Spirit already moved though to change to the current status. It is unlikely though not impossible that He will change ‘back’. . .

and it CERTAINLY would not be that the Spirit would change ‘back’ because of pedophilia, because, as cannot be stressed ENOUGH, Pedophilia has NOTHING WHATEVER to do with a person’s 'not being married.

Meaning, priests do not ‘turn to pedophilia’ (or homosexuality) because “they don’t got no WIMMIN”.

And allowing priests to marry would not ‘stop pedophilia’. If anything it might increase the incidences because according to the APA, the majority of those who are known pedophiles are MARRIED MEN.

OUCH. Food for thought, no?

And I heartily second your response.
As for me, I already had that “food for thought” a long time ago. You are most wise.
May the Holy Spirit continue to move you.
DC31

 

[DC31]

I agree it has nothing to do with it, and yes a lot of people think that Catholics are more guilty because it is publicized. But I think that it may help with the urges that are natural to man, that is all I’m trying to say.

:shrug:I suggest that you re-read the posts.
The point(s) we are trying to make is/are that ending mandatory celibacy will not help;it will not work.
Married men and fathers can be–and in many cases are–pedophiles.
Remember that Christianity teaches us that we are more than the sum of our (body) parts and our natural urges. What you just said expresses the same mentality which is the source of many of our problems–including the one we are discussing. How we respond to those urges not only affect ourselves, but other people as well. This true whether or not one is married. What will help is dealing with the problem itself.
Keep these points in your mind and heart as you discern what is right and what is wrong. Remember that we do share common principles and beliefs even though we are “separated”.

May the Lord bless and keep you and let His face shine upon you and give you peace.
DC31

 

[ConstantineTG]

If they benefit from being married, then it must, most likely, harm the Church,its people,their relationship with God,etc. It would not be a reasonable suggestion to help the problem.
Maybe you do not realize this, but that suggestion comes from those who criticize the Church and/or mandatory celibacy. Some of them are using this controversy to promote their views and ideology concerning both. They do not understand why the Latin Rite Church has the discipline of mandatory celibacy or pedophilia itself. Allowing priests to marry would not affect the problem–except to make it worse. For one thing, at least, it would give them new victims.
Dealing with the problem is the reasonable solution. Doing something about the pedophile priests,how the Church handles them, and the illness itself will help the priests, the Church, its people, etc. Also, being better informed about pedophilia and clerical celibacy would bring us closer to this.
So do not be deceived by the garbage generated by this controversy—or allow others to do so. Over-reacting to this will lead us to ruin–and who wants that. The pedophile priests need professional help and discipline. The Church needs better ways of recruitment, training, sustaining, etc. her clergy. We need better understanding of the **** larger picture.

May the Lord bless and keep us all.
DC31

Why will marriage for priests harm the Church. The Eastern priests seem to be doing very well.

I don’t believe that marriage is a solution to the predatory problems the Church is having. But it would benefit the overall faith. At a time when marriage is maligned, it would be great to have marriage role models in the person of the priest and the presbyteria. I think most people look to Angelina and Brad as their “ideal couple”.

 

[ProdigalAnglicn]

The real reason you will never see celibacy abandoned by the RCC is financial. Right now they pay their priests around $18k/year. If they allow marriage and families they’ll have to at least double that. Not to mention provide health insurance etc. to his wife and children. Their whole bureaucracy is set up around the idea that (with a few minor exceptions) priests will be single and childless, and it would be extremely difficult for them to change that. All the theological wrangling is a cover for this simple fact I believe.

 

[Miriam1947]

The real reason you will never see celibacy abandoned by the RCC is financial. Right now they pay their priests around $18k/year. If they allow marriage and families they’ll have to at least double that. Not to mention provide health insurance etc. to his wife and children. Their whole bureaucracy is set up around the idea that (with a few minor exceptions) priests will be single and childless, and it would be extremely difficult for them to change that. All the theological wrangling is a cover for this simple fact I believe.

Yep, a priest will never get rich. And let’s face it, there are so many parishioners who give little for whatever reason. How on earth could a priest financially support a family if he can barely support himself?

 

[mark_a]

I think they should be married, but not for the sex abuse issue. I think when God said “Man should not be alone” and created Eve to be his companion, I think he meant it. I think priests, as counselors for married people, should be married with children. I think it would help them understand rather than taking everything word for word out of a book. Yes, I wish they were all allowed to be married. I hope someday more get married and have children.

I LOVE that the eastern orthodox priests are married. I LOVE that rabbi’s are married. They are great rolemodels.

How can a married man with 10-14 kids be an effective priest? Catholics don’t believe in contraception as many Orthodox and Jews do.

 

[mark_a]

The real reason you will never see celibacy abandoned by the RCC is financial. Right now they pay their priests around $18k/year. If they allow marriage and families they’ll have to at least double that. Not to mention provide health insurance etc. to his wife and children. Their whole bureaucracy is set up around the idea that (with a few minor exceptions) priests will be single and childless, and it would be extremely difficult for them to change that. All the theological wrangling is a cover for this simple fact I believe.

Or it could be what Paul said.

 

[ProdigalAnglicn]

Or it could be what Paul said.

You mean where he said a bishop should be “the husband of one wife”?

 

[PbloPicasso]

Yep, a priest will never get rich. And let’s face it, there are so many parishioners who give little for whatever reason. How on earth could a priest financially support a family if he can barely support himself?

That’s not really true you know. I won’t name names but I know several rich priests, some personally and other from the public eye. But, the most humble priests I know are the ones that come from poverty, not wealth, that make the best priests. I know that many of the Saints in histories past seem to be from the wealthiest families. I’ve never like or respected that because they have their heaven, even if they rejected it. You see, they had it and from there they could make the choice. But those in poverty are scrambling like animals to make ends meet. WE struggle everyday to do the right thing. You see, we had no other choice, we never got to stay out of debt, as the wealthy get. So, poverty is the place of a priest and from where vocations ought to come. The humble parish priest is a wonderful person, a truly holy man, who lives a daily life serving the Church and deep in prayer.

 

[Miriam1947]

That’s not really true you know. I won’t name names but I know several rich priests, some personally and other from the public eye. But, the most humble priests I know are the ones that come from poverty, not wealth, that make the best priests. I know that many of the Saints in histories past seem to be from the wealthiest families. I’ve never like or respected that because they have their heaven, even if they rejected it. You see, they had it and from there they could make the choice. But those in poverty are scrambling like animals to make ends meet. WE struggle everyday to do the right thing. You see, we had no other choice, we never got to stay out of debt, as the wealthy get. So, poverty is the place of a priest and from where vocations ought to come. The humble parish priest is a wonderful person, a truly holy man, who lives a daily life serving the Church and deep in prayer.

If a priest has money on his own, good for him. I am talking about what he gets paid in salary as a priest in a parish. It ain’t much. And you can in no way raise a family on that money.

 

[Tony888]

If a priest has money on his own, good for him. I am talking about what he gets paid in salary as a priest in a parish. It ain’t much. And you can in no way raise a family on that money.

If Protestant churches can tithe to support a married clergy, why can’t a Catholic Parish do the same?

Why do you limit what God can accomplish?

 

[bluelake]

Does anyone think that Catholic priests could benifit from being married? With all the pedophelia controversy on the news I wondered if this would be a reasonable suggestion to help the problem.
Thanks for reading and answering,
Protestant Me

It would be nice if they gave young men the choice, celibacy or marriage.
Some priests that joined the church after their marriage are ordained.
They are usually preachers from another denomination.
I have veiwed this on the Journey Home.(EWTN) Very interesting show.
Have you watched this ?

God bless,
bluelake

 

[Miriam1947]

If Protestant churches can tithe to support a married clergy, why can’t a Catholic Parish do the same?

Why do you limit what God can accomplish?

I am not talking about what God can accomplish. I am talking about the fact that the Catholic Church does not have tithing. You are not obligated to give a percentage of your income.

I remember when my mother was thinking about joining a Presbyterian church and she got the tithing bill. She was so upset. We never did join. The local church wanted a particular amount from her and she was a single mother with four children. Not gonna happen.

We never did belong officially to any church that I recall.

 

[Tony888]

I am not talking about what God can accomplish. I am talking about the fact that the Catholic Church does not have tithing. You are not obligated to give a percentage of your income.

I remember when my mother was thinking about joining a Presbyterian church and she got the tithing bill. She was so upset. We never did join. The local church wanted a particular amount from her and she was a single mother with four children. Not gonna happen.

We never did belong officially to any church that I recall.

Whether ths cost is 18k or 80k, I’m confident a parish with a great priest would find a way to sustain their shepard. Nothing shameful about tithing. While those most in need obviously can’t contribute, other members certainly can. Maybe the RCC sets expectations too low for this second group?

 

[Miriam1947]

Whether ths cost is 18k or 80k, I’m confident a parish with a great priest would find a way to sustain their shepard. Nothing shameful about tithing. While those most in need obviously can’t contribute, other members certainly can. Maybe the RCC sets expectations too low for this second group?

No it doesn’t because it isn’t only about the money. You can volunteer in many ways and you can always pray.

Just because some who could monetarily support the church but they don’t does not mean that the ways that others support the church does not have value.

Those who can give monetarily but do not and nor do they do anything else for support, will have their own “come to Jesus moment”.

 

[Tony888]

No it doesn’t because it isn’t only about the money. You can volunteer in many ways and you can always pray.

Just because some who could monetarily support the church but they don’t does not mean that the ways that others support the church does not have value.

Those who can give monetarily but do not and nor do they do anything else for support, will have their own “come to Jesus moment”.

I never implied service work for the Church was not highly relevant and essentail. I know it is the heart and soul of a Christian Church.

I was simply stating the monetary objection raised by someone else was a red-herring. Catholics can find a way if the need was there.

 

[PbloPicasso]

If a priest has money on his own, good for him. I am talking about what he gets paid in salary as a priest in a parish. It ain’t much. And you can in no way raise a family on that money.

Yes. My pastor told me that priests and bishops are paid $18,200 per year.

 

[rinnie]

Why will marriage for priests harm the Church. The Eastern priests seem to be doing very well.

I don’t believe that marriage is a solution to the predatory problems the Church is having. But it would benefit the overall faith. At a time when marriage is maligned, it would be great to have marriage role models in the person of the priest and the presbyteria. I think most people look to Angelina and Brad as their “ideal couple”.

But see you are not God, and we go by what God says. Christ commends them. Matt 19:12. St Paul says if you are married and you are a Priest you are divided in mind.

So now lets see Gods says its better, and St Paul says it better, and the Pope feels it better. But Man feel its not. Go figure.

You feel it would benefit the Church if a Priest married. Okay lets have it your way. He is married, now where do you Expect him to find the time to raise a family and be a husband and meet all of his marriage needs, when he does not have the TIME to just lead a Church right now?

A Priest is on call 24 hours a day. He must be obedient to the Bishop and do what the Bishop says, How can he obey the Bishop and obey his wife also. WHo do you feel should come first what the Bishop says or what a wife says. Now you tell me. And then lets not even mention the kids. What is your answer?

What about the wife, why does she have to obey the Bishop? She did not take that vow? Why should she give up material things in the world, Why should she live on a small salary? Who does the Priest put first ME a or his Wife?

If I need to make a confession and his wife and family comes frst what and who is more important??? You tell me?

 

[rinnie]

Yes. My pastor told me that priests and bishops are paid $18,200 per year.

I have no idea what my Priest makes, but I know for a fact that he puts pretty much every penny back into the Church. He told me himself.