I am an Anglican, but I love the Catholic church

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TheMortenBay said:
And perhaps I’m also saying it might be a slippery slope to women priests.
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Not looking to start a dumpster fire but I don’t see how things are gonna jump from a married priest to a woman priest. Frankly, I think your concern is unfounded.
 
There is also the permanent deacon within the Catholic Church who is ordained and can be married. Our parish administrator is a Deacon (we only have visiting priests because we are small) who is married with several kids, two of which are a nun and a priest. He does prison ministry and has communion services and programs during the week since we can’t have daily mass. So no you couldn’t become a priest but becoming a deacon is an option once your kids are older.
 
Also if you haven’t heard of him check out Scott Hahn. He is married with a family and a Catholic speaker and “preacher” he was instrumental in my conversion.
 
Salibi said:
I don’t see how things are gonna jump from a married priest to a woman priest. Frankly, I think your concern is unfounded.
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Fair. But I’m afraid that the most liberal Catholics would see the fact that something as fundamental to the Priesthood (in the West) as celibacy could change could lead to them convincing people that more radical changes would also be in order. But hopefully, seeing as the Church seems to already be moving in the direction of celibacy: optional, I’ll be proven wrong.
 
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Qoheleth1 said:
I am not becoming a Catholic, but instead have opted for anglicanism. Here is the reason: I want to spread and preach the Word but I also feel a profound calling and passion to marry and have children with a woman I love. This has always been in my heart. I have that opportunity in my current denomination.
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If you believe the Catholic Church is the church founded by Christ, then you should join it. Period. Then let God lead you as to what He wants you to do with your life. Perhaps it would be as a married deacon.

But you are putting the cart before the horse if you are basing your decision on which church to belong to on your own plans. Where is the fullness of the truth? And which Church was founded by Christ? The answers to those questions should determine which church you become a member of.
 
I am not debating the issue. I just said that I think there are a lot of men out there who would serve, if the Church allowed for them to be married. There have been many priests who have left the priesthood to marry someone.
 
I see your point. There will always be a subset of people who would see this as an opportunity to wrest more, er, concessions from the Church. Don’t think it will happen however. The Church will never fall to heresy.
 
Come now. I may say this, but like everyone I always pass through periods of unbelief.

Praying that the Lord will strengthen your faith and mine.
 
Hey there!

Welcome to the forum and best of luck on your journey to your vocations! 🙂

I attend an Anglo-Catholic church myself and it’s absolutely beautiful liturgy and a profound respect for the Eucharist, Mary, the sacraments, and all the “smells and bells” of the Catholic faith.

In fact, when they consecrate the Eucharist, the priest holds it up and says “…this…IS…my body…!”

There’s another Anglo-Catholic parish I attend seldomly, but it’s Pre-Tridentine style which is absolutely beautiful as well. 🙂

I’m not sure where you are located, but if you’re ever in Philadelphia, look up St. Marks Episcopal or St. Clements Episcopal. Both in Center City 😃
 
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They can be married, however you must be married before you become a priest. Also bishops cannot be married.
And from what I’ve heard, the seminaries aren’t very welcoming to guys from western traditions coming just because they want to be married and a priest.
If this is really the case, the Latin rite should really just consider doing away with the celibacy discipline.
 
First, as others have said, Deacons are ordained clergy in the Catholic church. The vast majority are married, and they preach. They are ordinary ministers of the Eucharist, perform baptisms, witness marriages, and preach homilies. This really is a meaningful option. As a lay person, I have found my interaction with Deacons really great.

There are likely a few hundred threads about why Catholic priests aren’t married here on CAF. Some of the reasons why Catholic priests are not “regularly” married in these threads have actually changed my view on celibacy. I’d encourage to learn and study more on the subject. Some of the best arguments for celibacy are the fact that some men find it deeply meaningful and the best way for them to spread the teachings of Jesus. Also there are some very sincere and legitimate arguments that a married priest would cost too much, and this cost is unnecessary. How much should it really cost to be able to attend mass on Sunday? How do reach people who only have a very limited money to pay a priest?
 
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Not so fast!
  1. Ask any celibate priest. Celibacy is a gift. Should we take that away?
  2. The spouse of the priest is primarily the Church.
  3. A married man is not prevented from becoming a priest - either in the Latin or the various Eastern Rites.
  4. Why must one have a secular married life and the priesthood? Far better to make oneself a eunuch for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
  5. Every time the Church waters down a teaching or a discipline, it loses.
  6. The priesthood is a spiritual, emotional and intellectual battle. So it is with marriage. It is a rare man - almost superhuman - who can fight both fights while remaining faithful to double vocations.
No, marriage is not the issue. Submission, obedience, discernment, commitment, passion and love are what is lacking in our rotten culture.
 
One more thing the idea of older married men “viri probati” as priests is regularly discussed. It has been brought up by several Popes as a solution when there is pastoral need. I really think in some situations it is worth considering…an extraordinary form of Catholic priesthood as Pope Francis calls it.

But it should be based on a sincere need, rather a “want”, “expectation”, or “something to which men are entitled”.
 
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Thank you for your prayers and support. You should not let your desire for marriage stop you from becoming Catholic. Permanent deacons preach and evangelize.
 
Thanks for your kind words. There is an ongoing Catholic-Anglican dialogue, keep your heart open for what the Lord may ask of you. We are brothers in Christ.
 
If you truly love the Chruch you would be open to be married and a Catholic priest. Check out the Eastern church under the Pope — hoping you walk the talk. God bless you. Hoping you do your homework before you decide against being in the Catholic Church also their is a Anglican Rite in our Church to. Do they allow marriage? Would check that out too. https://ordinariate.net/q-a Some section from link above:

"T he Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter is a structure, similar to a diocese, that was created by the Vatican in 2012 for former Anglican communities and clergy seeking to become Catholic. Members of the Ordinariate are fully Roman Catholic, while retaining elements of Anglican heritage in their celebration of Mass and in the hospitality and ministries of their Catholic parishes.

What territory does the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter encompass?
Based in Houston, Texas, the Ordinariate includes communities throughout the United States and Canada. Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston is the principal church. Other large communities include St. Luke, Bladensburg, MD; Christ the King, Towson, MD; Church of the Incarnation, Orlando, FL; and St. Thomas More, Scranton, PA. Ordinariate groups and clergy are located in areas such as Maryland, Texas, California, Iowa, Alabama, New York and South Carolina; Oshawa, Victoria, Ottawa and Calgary.

Based in Houston, Texas, the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter has more than 40 Roman Catholic parishes and communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Why was the Ordinariate formed?
The establishment of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter was the Vatican’s pastoral response to repeated and persistent inquiries made by Anglican individuals and groups in the United States and Canada who, over time, have come to identify the Catholic Church as their home. Those joining the Ordinariate have discerned they are truly Catholic in what they believe and desire full membership in the Catholic Church.

In November 2009, in response to these repeated and persistent inquiries from Anglican groups worldwide, Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic constitution called Anglicanorum coetibus (pronounced Anglican-orum chay-tee-boose). This document authorized the creation of “Ordinariates.” These communities are Catholic yet retain elements of Anglican heritage and liturgical practice. Ordinariates also have been established by the Vatican in the United Kingdom (2011) and Australia (2012). …"
 
A Catholic friend of mine has been to St Clement’s and absolutely loves it because the liturgy is so superb.
 
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