Do you think priests should be allowed to marry?

[estesbob]

Recent surveys indicate world wide 20% of all catholic priests are married. A surprising number. Many as we know from the eastern rites and many that were Protestant (Lutheran) that were already married converted to catholicism to become priests have their wives.

I read on some of these forums that a priest shouldn’t be married because the priest work load would interfere between his marriage and his calling. I don’t believe that for a minute. Its obvious the 20% already married are probably very happy with their situation.

Its interesting that one month after the pope visited the US this poll showing that MOST catholic priests today prefer celibacy as optional and 65% of catholic laity, it shows there is great divide in the current catholic church, regardless of what the pope says. Very interesting.

Perhaps its becuase most Catholics realize that celibacy is a discipline not a doctrine.

 

[allhers]

Recent surveys indicate world wide 20% of all catholic priests are married. A surprising number. Many as we know from the eastern rites and many that were Protestant (Lutheran) that were already married converted to catholicism to become priests have their wives.

I read on some of these forums that a priest shouldn’t be married because the priest work load would interfere between his marriage and his calling. I don’t believe that for a minute. Its obvious the 20% already married are probably very happy with their situation.

Its interesting that one month after the pope visited the US  this poll showing that MOST catholic priests today prefer celibacy as optional and 65% of catholic laity, it shows there is great divide in the current catholic church, regardless of what the pope says.   Very interesting.

Well its no surprise to me as I already knew that some were Married for the reasons mentioned. That leaves 80% that aren’t.
I also know how skewed polls can be, that they can ask “former” Catholic Priest, Nuns, laity, etc…That they can ask non-praticing Catholics, that they can ask people who were Baptized Catholic but now regard themselves as Lutherans, etc…Plus, its no surprise to me that some Catholics, who do claim to be Catholic, disagree with some things that the Pope says, but it doesn’t mean that they are the majority no matter what anyone says.
Plus it has always been a dicipline so it could just mean that they approve of it remaining that way, then a person is free to give themselves, their whole self to Christ and His Church as it is and ought to be.

 

[impalass]

Correct-Pope Benedict could end the requirement for celibate Priest this morning if he wanted, he has, however, no poer to allow Priestesses.

I am reminds me a joke:

Benedict asks God "When will all Priests be allowed to marry? God replies “Not in your life time” Benedict asks “When will women be allowed to be ordained? God reples"Not in my lifetime”

Come on. You know god doesn't talk to the pope.(LOL) He talks to Reverend Billy Graham, and reverand Graham has many married ministers and female as well. Lets not forget the protestant faith outnumbers catholics over 2 to 1 in the USA.

 

[impalass]

Well its no surprise to me as I already knew that some were Married for the reasons mentioned. That leaves 80% that aren’t.
I also know how skewed polls can be, that they can ask “former” Catholic Priest, Nuns, laity, etc…That they can ask non-praticing Catholics, that they can ask people who were Baptized Catholic but now regard themselves as Lutherans, etc…Plus, its no surprise to me that some Catholics, who do claim to be Catholic, disagree with some things that the Pope says, but it doesn’t mean that they are the majority no matter what anyone says.
Plus it has always been a dicipline so it could just mean that they approve of it remaining that way, then a person is free to give themselves, their whole self to Christ and His Church as it is and ought to be.

I see! I see! you only favour polls when they represent your opinion.

The catholic church and bishops council has also indicated these numbers. Hopefully you don’t disagree with the bishops council. You probably believe that there are no sex molesters in the priesthood to. Blinded by the light!

 

[BSHoop96]

What is your source of information that Jesus was not married?. Just because the bible doesn’t talk about a wife doesn’t mean he wasn’t married. A large number of catholics/christians believe he was married…

Maybe the ones who saw the movie “The DaVinci Code” and fell for it.

Jesus was never a christian. He was born a jew, lived his life a jew, prayed in the jewish temple, wore tassels on his clothes as all orthodox jews did at the time and died a jew…

No Catholic would deny that Jesus was a jew. But he was sent by God for the salvation of the world and “started His Church”.

Why can’t nuns marry? The same answer to the reasons any catholic official is not allowed to get married. To keep a spouse from inheriting the priests assests when he dies. Its all about money my friend. Same reason a nun isn’t allowed to get married. Thats sad! But true.

This is ridiculous. There probably is some truth to this back in the middle ages when those high in the Church hierarchy were powerful and rich. Priests and nuns have no assets with the possible exception of personal things. No homes, no cars, whatever. Unless their actual family was wealthy or something. They don’t acquire assets thru their vocation. You’re not Catholic are you?

 

[estesbob]

This is ridiculous. There probably is some truth to this back in the middle ages when those high in the Church hierarchy were powerful and rich. Priests and nuns have no assets with the possible exception of personal things. No homes, no cars, whatever. Unless their actual family was wealthy or something. They don’t acquire assets thru their vocation. You’re not Catholic are you?

There wasnt even any truth to it back in the middle ages either. Every Priest I know has a will and none of them are trying to leave Parish assets to their heirs!

 

[BSHoop96]

Why can’t a man become a nun? We have men doctors/women doctors. We have female nurses/male nurses. The church keeps the devout in line with FEAR/GUILT and the possibility of committing a sin. Thats sad, but it works for the church.

Why would a man want to become a nun? He can become a monk, brother, etc.

 The catholic church says men will receive a calling from god  to become a priest.  If a married man got a calling from god the catholic church would trump god and say "no your not, we make the rules".....UNBELIEVABLE!!

He can become a Deacon. There are many ways to serve the Church.

 

[allhers]

I see! I see! you only favour polls when they represent your opinion.

The catholic church and bishops council has also indicated these numbers. Hopefully you don’t disagree with the bishops council. You probably believe that there are no sex molesters in the priesthood to. Blinded by the light!

May you be so blessed to be blinded by the Light, and when you pick yourself up after being thrown off your high horse, learn as Saul/Paul did not to persecute the Christians and to follow Jesus and His Church.

 

[allhers]

impalass
That’s the purpose of discernment, have any idea what that is?
A person is to choose their vocation with lots of prayer and discernment.

 

[BSHoop96]

Being a priest, is just like a man having a wife. For a priest, the church as the whole is just like the wife that must be taken care of, even to the point of surrendering his life. So, a priest who has a wife, is just like a man having 2/more wives.

If you ever been in Indonesia, where a parish with 2 or 3 priests has to serve 13.000 church member, you will understand how busy they are taking care so many aspects of church life. You know, being a priest is not the same as just delivering the mass and giving sermons. In fact, delivering a mass for a priest is only a small part of his duty. If a priest has a wife, will he take care more of his wife and children than the church matters?

Ordaining more priest? Being a priest is a call of duty, not just a profession that a man can easily chose. The education for being a priest is longer than the other profession, say an accountant, perhaps. It is exactly as Jesus has said. The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.

Excellent post. I agree that priests should not be married. They are married to the Church. Marriage is also a sacrament and I think that the life of a Priest cannot be split between a wife/children and his bride, the Church.

Something else to consider is that a priest lives in a rectory and is supported modestly by the Church. He does not have to have a nice big house, cars for his wife, teenagers, college savings plans. medical plans for family, and all those things that are the work and worry of a husband. Can you imagine what a can of worms that could open up?

 

[mercygate]

Lets see now. There are many catholic priests in the USA and around the world that believe they should have the option to marry. CNN recently did an extensive poll and found over 65% of CATHOLICS in the USA believe priests should have the option to marry. Are you saying all these priests/laity who want the option are not understanding of their catholic faith? Do you believe EVERYTHING the pope says…answer please.

Those surveys are famous for polling non-practicing, “cultural” Catholics who very likely do NOT understand their faith.

That said, any priest who has taken a vow or made a promise of life-long celibacy should be expected to keep it.

Why would anybody suggest otherwise? I am expected to keep my marriage vows. Not always easy, let me assure you – but WORTH it. There were many times when the model of celibate priesthood kept me pluggin’ along. Thanks be to the grace of God, who enabled me to persevere, these later days are better than the earlier days. I believe the grace of God is at least as capable of aiding priests in keeping their vows as it was in aiding me to keep mine.

 

[BSHoop96]

actually have a question about that too, if anyone knows, are they called to celibacy then also?? (I mean, I am sure that if they are then their wife would be in total agreement, but I don’t know and seriously was wondering, are they?)

No, they are not called to celibacy.

 

[estesbob]

I see! I see! you only favour polls when they represent your opinion.

The catholic church and bishops council has also indicated these numbers. Hopefully you don’t disagree with the bishops council. You probably believe that there are no sex molesters in the priesthood to. Blinded by the light!

Ah it took 65 posts in this thread before the homosexual priest scandal reared its ugly head! Can the inquistion and the crusades be far behind!

 

[BSHoop96]

You call yourself catholic defender. Please read the facts below.

Catholics should know this you say.   Lets see now,  read this information below that was in TODAYS  thats right June 1/2008

  NEW  YORK TIMES/CBS NEWS POLL  June 1. 2008
  

 Most USA priests want the right to marry. Did you read that catholic defender  MOST  PRIESTS.   50% of these priests polled believe women should have the right/option to become priests.  24% of catholic USA priests favour artificial birth control methods, and 64% of the USA catholic laity agree.  Poll was taken from a pool of 30,000 USA catholic parish priests.

Its obvious reading this true information above the catholic church and you  is way out of touch with its laity and officials of the church.


Maybe you should get thousands stamps/envelopes find out who these bad priests/laity are and send them a stern letter saying.   Did you not know Jesus was Divine"   are you really catholics?   Priests should not be allowed to marry, because I SAY SO! 

Please get yourself a copy of the  June 1, 2008 NEW YORK TIMES paper.   

 These priests/laity are saying in this POLL  the church has to move forward  and live by todays standards not what MAYBE happened 2000 years ago.

Yes, I do believe priests should be have the option to marry, as MOST CATHOLICS and Priests believe. Thats what the question is on this forum and thats my answer. If you get upset then why do you post on this forum and this topic? Its obvious by these true numbers above you are in the minority.

Are you saying you think the Church should take a poll of their parishoners and go with the winning vote?

The Church does not change on the whims of modern society. Making a change such as allowing women to no longer have to veil themselves is not the same as changing a core belief. There were cultural reasons for that centuries ago. On the other hand,
I have no doubt that many young Catholics struggle with the birth control issue. I truly sympathize and do not judge. They will have to work it out themselves. The Church is still the Church, after 2000 years because she has not varied from her core beliefs. Believe Her or not. Follow or not.

 

[musicmantg11]

The answer is no.

God Bless! +

 

[BSHoop96]

There wasnt even any truth to it back in the middle ages either. Every Priest I know has a will and none of them are trying to leave Parish assets to their heirs!

No to be argumentative but in England during the middle ages they did have a problem with powerful Churchmen retaining vast amounts of land, wealth, etc. I’m not saying this is the reason for the rule but that there was a problem.

 

[BSHoop96]

There wasnt even any truth to it back in the middle ages either. Every Priest I know has a will and none of them are trying to leave Parish assets to their heirs!

Of course because they do not OWN the parish assets.

 

[mercygate]

Of course because they do not OWN the parish assets.

On the other hand, one of our former pastors (now gone to his reward 17 years) was quite wealthy in his own right and left the parish a bequest of $500,000. Almost covered the cost of the new roof.

 

[estesbob]

No to be argumentative but in England during the middle ages they did have a problem with powerful Churchmen retaining vast amounts of land, wealth, etc. I’m not saying this is the reason for the rule but that there was a problem.

Sorry although but some did have vast wealth and lands-all of which belonged to them personally. And of course even if they were single they could leave their wealth to any heir they wanted

 

[BSHoop96]

Sorry although but some did have vast wealth and lands-all of which belonged to them personally. And of course even if they were single they could leave their wealth to any heir they wanted

Well if you really want to argue the point some of them acquired wealth thru their positions and favoritism with the king. However, I guess I could agree with you and say it was not Rome giving them the wealth. I believe we are somewhat off topic though.