T
TriuneUnity
Guest
Thanks for the information! Wow, I had no idea it was that complex LOLAnyone can take a vow of celibacy. When you think about it, everyone is under a order of chastity: only sex with their properly married spouse. When you marry, the “forsaking all others” is a part of a vow of Chastity, a special version of Chastity that allows for one and only one sexual partner. The vow of celibacy adds to it a promise to God never to marry. Now, as far as I know, and I am not an expert on the exact words used, this vow is not tied specifically to the priesthood (i.e. so long as I am a priest). Therefore, he would have been held to that vow.
In the Catholic faith, a deacon can be married before he becomes a deacon. However, should his wife die, he can not remarry. His vow of Castity becomes one of celibacy.
It is my understanding that in the EO and other Churches that allow married priests, that same rule applies.
Generally, when a Catholic priest leaves the preisthood, they feel that they are released from all vows. In reality, and in Church Theology, all that leaving the preisthood does is have you leave your vocation. Any oaths made to God are still in effect. Priests are told that before they go.