Do you think priests should be allowed to marry?

[rinnie]

If you don’t like my answers then why do you continue to reply? Eh!

Off topic: I was raised a catholic like you. Like most catholics we all have different views. I don’t fear what the pope says, I always use my own conscience to make logical decisions. Maybe your not a strong individual and need that crutch of the church to guide your life. I am not afraid to make negative comments about the church, nor am I afraid to criticize the government or George Bush etc. I broke away from this catholic fear/guilt syndrom the church bestowes on people, and I have been better for it. You should try it! It works.

Not to be disrespectful, but i dont understand how you can say that if we obey the Church and do as we were told and listen to the Pope that makes us weak. Why would obeying the word of God make us weak. Jesus is the person leading the Pope just as he was leading Peter. When the saints obeyed did that make them weak. We are told to listen to the Pope as Roman Catholics, if you dont believe that he has the gift of the Holy Spirit leading him why are you even Catholic. I thought that was the big fight between Catholics and protestants, we listen to the Pope they dont. They dont believe he has the authority of the Holy Spirit leading him. now i can see their view they dont believe, but i centainly cant see yours. OR is it yes i believe him, but i know better or what. Or if i misunderstood i apologize.

 

[bilop]

I do believe that with so many priests struggling with their vocation celibacy/sex abuse scandal etc the pope should be a little more sympathetic and personal and try and find out the root cause of the discention rather then slamming his fist down and just saying “do what I say” that only brings more discention. All I am doing is passing on information that there are more catholic priests in the USA that want celibacy abolished then priests who don’t and the numbers are rising every year. This is not my information. The information I state is easily attainable. The real question on this forum should be “why do more then half of all catholic priests in the USA want celibacy relaxed/abolished” or why are over 65% of catholic laity in favour of making celibacy optional:…they would be the better questions.

If the pope stands tuff on this issue so be it.  Devout Catholics shouldn't complain that the number of priests are diminishing quickly.  If they do then something  should  have to be done.  If you have to drive 50 miles to a church with a priest then so be it.  You can't have it both ways.

The Pope doesn’t have a choice on this issue. Priests can’t marry and remain active priests. It’s a continuing teaching of the ordinary magisterium.

What the Pope can do is loosen the restrictions on which married men can be ordained in the Latin Church. This is a discipline, and is changeable. Catholics are free to believe, in good conscience, that he should or should not do this.

So, PLEASE, keep the debate in the realm of the possible. It is an interesting question (given the history of the Eastern Churches) whether the Latin Church should have both married and celibate priests as a rule (not just an exception).

God Bless

 

[allhers]

I even heard of a tribe in Africa that walks all night long to go to Mass, but I suppose that would be too hard on your little undevout feet, right?

 

[jmcrae]

You say “How things were more then 1500 years ago is not really a concern today”. With an answer like that then what happened 2000 years ago isn’t a concern today. Thats not a relevant answer. Times change and the church needs to be brought up to date, or before long there will be a split in the church.

The situation has been brought up to date by having the discipline of celibacy, which is a clear contradiction of our sex-saturated society. It is a witness that cannot be ignored. When people see a priest, they see someone who has incredible self-control.

They can’t believe it, because they themselves are ruled by their genitals. They can’t believe that a man could be ruled by his own mind, and not by his genitals, so it gets them talking and wondering.

It offends them, yes, because if the priest can be ruled by his mind, then why can’t they? It sets them a challenge. Maybe the genitals are not the god that one must follow?

Recent polls state over 50% of CURRENT roman catholic priests in the USA favour abolishing celibacy. Thats over 24,000 priests in the USA.

I doubt the poll, since I haven’t met more than a very few priests who think they would be better off married. Most priests enjoy the celibate life.

As to the American public, they are sex-crazed. The majority started having sex when they were less than 15 years old, and cannot even imagine a life of thinking and ideas.

It offends them that some people have self-control, because if someone can have self-control, then everything they’ve been told about having to have sex every time the urge comes upon you in order to maintain your health becomes exposed as a lie. It means that they didn’t have to give in to the urge when they were 14 or 15 years old; they didn’t have to experience the heartbreak and emotional pain of breaking up over and over again, and of abortion, etc., and maybe even they didn’t have to get whatever STD they are living with, now. That there was, in fact, an option for purity, and nobody told them. That’s why they’re so angry about celibacy in the priesthood - because if a priest can be celibate, then sex is not a necessity of life, and they did wrong by making it their highest priority in life.

 

[Pier]

you say …“those of us who adhere to church teaching don’t fear the pope or consider our beliefs a crutch”

your numbers are decreasing rapidly.......statistics don't lie.  More then 65% of current catholics don't adhere to the churches teachings and these numbers are growing.  Again not my opinion just factual information I thought you would like to know......its there for you to read.

“you should try it you say” Oh I tried it several years ago. About grade 6 I remember the priest & nuns screaming at us in class when someone questioned anything about the church…

         .."J U S T    B E L I E V E    I T"  !!!!!!!

they would scream back holding the wooden pointer at our faces! They scared me then but not now!

that was enough for me!

That was very unfortunate that you were scared. I remember the priest and nuns being very firm and imposing - not scary, but no-nonsense…

But as an adult, I see they were right in what they taught us. It’s one thing learning Catholicism as a child, when it seems it’s just one more thing we have to know - and living it as an adult. We’re blessed to have the faith in our Faith to rely on.

 

[allhers]

you say …“those of us who adhere to church teaching don’t fear the pope or consider our beliefs a crutch”

your numbers are decreasing rapidly.......statistics don't lie.  More then 65% of current catholics don't adhere to the churches teachings and these numbers are growing.  Again not my opinion just factual information I thought you would like to know......its there for you to read.

“you should try it you say” Oh I tried it several years ago. About grade 6 I remember the priest & nuns screaming at us in class when someone questioned anything about the church…

         .."J U S T    B E L I E V E    I T"  !!!!!!!

they would scream back holding the wooden pointer at our faces! They scared me then but not now!

that was enough for me!

Never had that experience either, the only time I ever saw any Priest or Sister/Nun dicipline a student was when the student thought that they could run the class with their constant distractions and interruptions. They clearly needed the dicipline!
Everything was clearly explained in class with plently of documented proof, perhaps you were too busy interrupting the class much like you do this forum and didn’t listen well then either.
Just because you like to rely on statistics, no matter how they were gleaned doesn’t mean that we believe them or care about them or even are worried about them.
If we have a smaller, more devout Church, hey, all the better!! (Fear not, little Church.)

 

[Cathdefender]

You say “How things were more then 1500 years ago is not really a concern today”. With an answer like that then what happened 2000 years ago isn’t a concern today. Thats not a relevant answer. Times change and the church needs to be brought up to date, or before long there will be a split in the church. By the most part USA catholics are way too liberal for the vaticans liking, thats why a US Cardinal will never become a pope with the current regime.

Recent polls state over 50% of CURRENT roman catholic priests in the USA favour abolishing celibacy. Thats over 24,000 priests in the USA.. Over 65% of catholic laity polled believe celibacy should be relaxed/abolished.  Over 80% of catholics have used or practice a form of birth control the church says is a sin.   Most catholics don't go to mass regularily or at all. Thats a lot of discention in the catholic church would you not agree, when over half of your believers do not support the vatican in many of their teachings.   In business that would be a dismal failure.

So the real question, is why?   Why the division of catholic priests/laity regarding celibacy, pre-marital sex,  birth control, attending mass, even abortion.  Recent polls done by CNN when the pope visited that catholics favour pro choice (abortion) nearly as much as the general population.  Over 49% of catholics are pro choice.   I am pro life but has nothing to do with being catholic thats my personal choice

Western/Eastern European countries  catholic church mass attendance in some countrie is below 10%.   

 I know when I attended grade school in the 50s/early 60s that these  topics were not even issues.   Quick  changes among the laity and church stewards (priests) are occuring.   Why?

Do you have some really deep rooted hatred toward priests or the Catholic faith in general? YOUR INFORMATION IS INCORRECT AND I RESENT IT AS A CATHOLIC. You need to stop misleading people with your **** about the priests and the church. What is wrong with you??

 

[Cathdefender]

I do believe that with so many priests struggling with their vocation celibacy/sex abuse scandal etc the pope should be a little more sympathetic and personal and try and find out the root cause of the discention rather then slamming his fist down and just saying “do what I say” that only brings more discention. All I am doing is passing on information that there are more catholic priests in the USA that want celibacy abolished then priests who don’t and the numbers are rising every year. This is not my information. The information I state is easily attainable. The real question on this forum should be “why do more then half of all catholic priests in the USA want celibacy relaxed/abolished” or why are over 65% of catholic laity in favour of making celibacy optional:…they would be the better questions.

If the pope stands tuff on this issue so be it.  Devout Catholics shouldn't complain that the number of priests are diminishing quickly.  If they do then something  should  have to be done.  If you have to drive 50 miles to a church with a priest then so be it.  You can't have it both ways.

But your information you are passing along IS INCORRECT. My cousin is a priest and HE THINKS YOU ARE A WHACKO! He just tells everyone here to try and sympathize with you and to pray for you. Why are you even a Catholic, IF ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN???

 

[impalass]

Not to be disrespectful, but i dont understand how you can say that if we obey the Church and do as we were told and listen to the Pope that makes us weak. Why would obeying the word of God make us weak. Jesus is the person leading the Pope just as he was leading Peter. When the saints obeyed did that make them weak. We are told to listen to the Pope as Roman Catholics, if you dont believe that he has the gift of the Holy Spirit leading him why are you even Catholic. I thought that was the big fight between Catholics and protestants, we listen to the Pope they dont. They dont believe he has the authority of the Holy Spirit leading him. now i can see their view they dont believe, but i centainly cant see yours. OR is it yes i believe him, but i know better or what. Or if i misunderstood i apologize.

Thats your opinion and I respect that.........most catholics disagree.

 

[dosdog]

Number of Catholics and Priests Rises
Pontifical Yearbook of 2007
The Pontifical Yearbook revealed that the number of diocesan and religious priests rose to 406,411 from 405,891

The percentage increases were much higher in Asia and Africa, 3.8% and 3.55%, respectively

Africa and Asia proportionately had more priests, the Vatican statement noted: “Africa and Asia together provided 19.58% to the world’s overall number in 2004; in 2005 their contribution had risen to 20.28%.”

The Americas maintained a percentage of around 29.8%, while Oceania stayed stable, at slightly over 1% of the world’s priests,
jknirp.com/numcat.htm

St. Louis Archdiocese ordains largest number of priests in 21 years May-29-2008

catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20080529.htm#head4

 

[jmcrae]

Thats your opinion and I respect that…most catholics disagree.

“Most Catholics” don’t give a rip - they are too busy worrying about where to find clean water and safe food to feed their families.

90% of Catholics don’t speak English, don’t live in the USA, and certainly don’t participate in opinion polls. They leave the priesthood to the priests; they don’t have time for anything except minding their own business.

 

[impalass]

But your information you are passing along IS INCORRECT. My cousin is a priest and HE THINKS YOU ARE A WHACKO! He just tells everyone here to try and sympathize with you and to pray for you. Why are you even a Catholic, IF ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN???

“My cousin is a priest and he thinks you are a wacko” What does your cousin say about half the priests that want celibacy abolished? Are they all wackos? Tell your cousin to post here.

But you know what I believe you made this story up. A big LIE! Whats your cousins name? What parish is he at? What city? Waiting for your reply. A LIE from a devout catholic. Hipocracy at its best! Waiting for your reply…

 

[allhers]

Its none of your business what anyone’s name is.

 

[impalass]

Those of us who adhere to Church teaching don’t “fear” the Pope, or consider our beliefs a crutch. Thankfully, some of us broke away from the “anything goes” syndrome our culture has dictated to people, and have been better for it.

You should try it! It works!

I call them as I see them. Again when factual information is given to you, you don’t want to believe. Why are you so fearful to check it out? Please google married pope, or married priest…you might learn something. Again, this is information that is out there for all to see. Its not mine. Just passing it on.

I don’t understand why extreme right wing catholics get so upset when someone gives out information they don’t want to believe. Just like Bill Donohue the head of the catholic league of New York. He argues with everyone…and he makes himself look like an idiot!

 

[jmcrae]

“My cousin is a priest and he thinks you are a wacko” What does your cousin say about half the priests that want celibacy abolished? Are they all wackos? Tell your cousin to post here.

But you know what I believe you made this story up. A big LIE! Whats your cousins name? What parish is he at? What city? Waiting for your reply. A LIE from a devout catholic. Hipocracy at its best! Waiting for your reply…

Nobody is ever required to give personal information on the Internet, and you do not have the right to demand it in that sort of tone.

 

[estesbob]

I call them as I see them. Again when factual information is given to you, you don’t want to believe. Why are you so fearful to check it out? Please google married pope, or married priest…you might learn something. Again, this is information that is out there for all to see. Its not mine. Just passing it on.

I don’t understand why extreme right wing catholics get so upset when someone gives out information they don’t want to believe. Just like Bill Donohue the head of the catholic league of New York. He argues with everyone…and he makes himself look like an idiot!

Is Pope Benedcit an extreme right wing catholic?

 

[allhers]

I call them as I see them. Again when factual information is given to you, you don’t want to believe. Why are you so fearful to check it out? Please google married pope, or married priest…you might learn something. Again, this is information that is out there for all to see. Its not mine. Just passing it on.

I don’t understand why extreme right wing catholics get so upset when someone gives out information they don’t want to believe. Just like Bill Donohue the head of the catholic league of New York. He argues with everyone…and he makes himself look like an idiot!

Funny, that last sentence could apply to you.

 

[impalass]

Its none of your business what anyone’s name is.

You say…“none of your business what anyones name is” Why? You said you told him who I am, and YOU said he made a negative statement about me. Tell me his name? Just as I thought! Never mind I know a L I E! when I seen one. Better hit the confessional my friend. You don’t even have a cousin. Why post on this forum if you are not going to be truthful …a dishonest catholic, whats next!..what a shame.

 

[allhers]

You say…“none of your business what anyones name is” Why? You said you told him who I am, and YOU said he made a negative statement about me. Tell me his name? Just as I thought! Never mind I know a L I E! when I seen one. Better hit the confessional my friend. You don’t even have a cousin. Why post on this forum if you are not going to be truthful …a dishonest catholic, whats next!..what a shame.

No, actually your hate and bigotry are blinding you now, it wasn’t me who said that, it was just me who said that it was none of your business. It isn’t!!
I do have a cousin that is a Priest too though, God rest his soul and if he were alive on this earth, he would probably think the same thing though.

 

[impalass]

Is Pope Benedcit an extreme right wing catholic?

You say "Is pope benedict an extreme right wing catholic? I would say yes! He is certainly not liberal like most catholics in the united states, and other western cultures. I would then believe you would also say pope benedict is an extreme right wing catholic? Nothing wrong with that statement…its not a negative statement.