Impediments to Ordination

[Roman_Catechism]

I was recieved into the Church as a former “Baptist” a few years ago. Despite the sins of my life in recent memory, I’ve thought very seriously about entering the seminary someday.

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to pursue this goal, would the fact that I was technically born out of wedlock be an unavoidable impediment to my ordination to the priesthood? I read in the Roman Catechism, (among my favorite works ) that those born out of wedlock cannot be ordained, evidently to avoid “scandal.” But the fact that I was born out of wedlock is an entirely private matter. My mother was a single mom for a few years before she met my dad. Though they are not Catholic and not even legally married, for all intents and purposes he is my father. No one would know that I was born out of wedlock unless I specifically told them so and explained the situation. It could hardly be described as a matter of “scandal.”

Certainly, I would not wish to disrespect God or make any sort of mockery of the priesthood if I were to go down that road, and I am well aware that no one is entitled to be a priest, as they must be called. Nevertheless, it would seem to me that this sort of thing should be a matter that should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Is there any chance that this discipline could be relaxed given certain circumstances?

There are other impediments to ordination, such as (I must paraphrase) men who have lived sinful and therefore scandalous lives. Without getting specific unless need arise, I have certainly done some things of which I am not proud. Would the sins of my past, even if I made every possible effort to become a holier person, really be an impediment to ordination?

Would love to hear thoughts from vocation directors and priests if possible.

 

[TheMc]

I was recieved into the Church as a former “Baptist” a few years ago. Despite the sins of my life in recent memory, I’ve thought very seriously about entering the seminary someday.

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to pursue this goal, would the fact that I was technically born out of wedlock be an unavoidable impediment to my ordination to the priesthood? I read in the Roman Catechism, (among my favorite works ) that those born out of wedlock cannot be ordained, evidently to avoid “scandal.” But the fact that I was born out of wedlock is an entirely private matter. My mother was a single mom for a few years before she met my dad. Though they are not Catholic and not even legally married, for all intents and purposes he is my father. No one would know that I was born out of wedlock unless I specifically told them so and explained the situation. It could hardly be described as a matter of “scandal.”

Certainly, I would not wish to disrespect God or make any sort of mockery of the priesthood if I were to go down that road, and I am well aware that no one is entitled to be a priest, as they must be called. Nevertheless, it would seem to me that this sort of thing should be a matter that should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Is there any chance that this discipline could be relaxed given certain circumstances?

There are other impediments to ordination, such as (I must paraphrase) men who have lived sinful and therefore scandalous lives. Without getting specific unless need arise, I have certainly done some things of which I am not proud. Would the sins of my past, even if I made every possible effort to become a holier person, really be an impediment to ordination?

Would love to hear thoughts from vocation directors and priests if possible.

Someone more knowledgeable should back this up (or not), but on a purely practical level, I don’t think you’d be impeded for something you didn’t even have a part in. But again, don’t take my word for it.

 

[KarrollKid04]

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (the one that is currently in effect) lists the impediments to the priesthood in Canons 1040-1045. Being born out of wedlock is not an impediment.

 

[Roman_Catechism]

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (the one that is currently in effect) lists the impediments to the priesthood in Canons 1040-1045. Being born out of wedlock is not an impediment.

I was not aware of this, as I have no real knowledge of canon law. Thank you. Perhaps I should not base my questions on such an old work.

 

[KarrollKid04]

I was not aware of this, as I have no real knowledge of canon law. Thank you.

No problem! I too have heard about the “born out of wedlock” impediment. Perhaps it was an actual impediment in a previous code of Canon Law, but the current code does not list it as an impediment. God bless!

 

[tee_eff_em]

Though the current Code addresses legitimacy in a handful of canons, the canonical effects of legitimacy appear to be precisely: zero.

tee
Who Is Not A Canon Lawyer

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I suggest you get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

[Roman_Catechism]

I suggest you get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I have one. Haven’t read it in a while and didn’t recall what it said, if anything, specifically about this subject. But next time I will be only too glad to remember to check it first.

 

[Digitonomy]

As others have noted, the Church no longer considers illegitimacy to be an impediment to Holy Orders. I think you are correct that scandal was one of the main issues for that impediment in the first place. If it were still in the law, the fact that it was private probably wouldn’t carry much weight. An impediment is an impediment, and you would have needed a dispensation to get around that. I don’t know if bishops were qualified to grant such a dispensation, or if it was reserved to the Holy See.

Thankfully these days we are a little more accepting of people on their own merits. Family past is considered in evaluating you for admission to seminary, but I think it’s more to get a feel for you as a person - did you and your brother like to torture small animals, etc.

For future reference (I’m sure you’ll have more questions as time goes on), I agree with the recommendation to read the Catechism - it is an excellent work to get the Church’s view on out of wedlock births and heaps of other issues, although it is much deeper in its coverage of Western as opposed to Eastern approaches to these topics. However, it’s a poor source for researching canon law, which is what matters here.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

As others have noted, the Church no longer considers illegitimacy to be an impediment to Holy Orders. I think you are correct that scandal was one of the main issues for that impediment in the first place. If it were still in the law, the fact that it was private probably wouldn’t carry much weight. An impediment is an impediment, and you would have needed a dispensation to get around that. I don’t know if bishops were qualified to grant such a dispensation, or if it was reserved to the Holy See.

Thankfully these days we are a little more accepting of people on their own merits. Family past is considered in evaluating you for admission to seminary, but I think it’s more to get a feel for you as a person - did you and your brother like to torture small animals, etc.

For future reference (I’m sure you’ll have more questions as time goes on), I agree with the recommendation to read the Catechism - it is an excellent work to get the Church’s view on out of wedlock births and heaps of other issues, although it is much deeper in its coverage of Western as opposed to Eastern approaches to these topics. However, it’s a poor source for researching canon law, which is what matters here.

I agree, the CCC is not good at researching Canon Law, you can find that on the internet.

I suggested the CCC for the sole reason that the OP said;

I think one needs to read and be aware of the current Catechism before they go into older catechisms as they will not be up to date with the Church and the current disciplines.

Especially if one is going to work though any sort of vocational discernment and possible seminary education.