Is a priest able to leave the priesthood without being labeled an "apostate"?

[dje101]

Hi all,

is a priest able to “resign” if you will, from the priesthood but still be a part of the Catholic Church?

 

[laszlo]

Simply stopping the priestly obligations (not to say Masses, stop reciting the Office, leave the place where the bishop sent the priest) does not involves ipso facto excommunication, so such priest remains actual member of the Church (the bishop may impose some censures)

Attempted marriage result in automatic excommunication.

Until Paul six the only possibility to lift this excommunication was to leave his attempted wife, and turn back to the Church.

Paul VI allowed

• after 5 years of the attempted marriage,
• if the former priest was at least 40 years old,
• and he was ready and capable to marry his partner in the Church

to give dispensation from the priestly duties accepting him back into the Church as layman. Some 10,000 priest received this dispensation. One of them after his wife died and he petitioned for 10 years was accepted back to the priesthood again.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

He remains a priest forever, but his faculties to function as a priest may be suspended. This may be as a censure for serious misdeeds, or voluntary. Suspension means that he cannot say mass or adminitster the sacraments [except in case of emergency - he can hear the confession of a dying person for example.] Suspension may also remove many of his obligations as a priest. He will usually be forbidden to take any role, such as lector, EMHC, server etc which might confuse others as to his status. Depending on the circumstances he may be allowed to marry. I think this is usually granted only in cases where the suspension was voluntary and involved no wrong doing.

This is a collection of bits and pieces that I have picked up from various sources and instances. It is by no means complete or authoritative - use at your own risk.