Is it a sin to dissway a man from becoming a priest?

[Mannyfit75]

Is it a sin to discourage a man from becoming a priest?

 

[catholicsem]

If he’s called by God to the priesthood, then yes, absolutely it is a sin. He should be encouraged in his vocation.

 

[Joyousguard]

Is it a sin to discourage a man from becoming a priest?

I guess that would entail what you mean by “discourage”? My guess is that you are worried that they are not making the right decision or have not though it through.

Discouraging and perhaps simply pointing out things that person may have overlooked are not the same thing. If a person is truly called to the priesthood I doubt very much that your pointing out the “cons” of such a decision would do anything but strengthen their conviction.

Entering the seminary is by no means saying that you are going to be a priest or some sort of door that only opens one way. The life of a seminarian is one of discernment. many seminaians have not decided that ordination is right for them. That’s part of the reason why a seminarian’s formation is so long because they want to make sure that you have plenty of time to reflect and pray about it. Entering the seminary gives them the time and ability to descern for themselves what God is calling them to. A seminarian is essentially looking for a time and guidance to make this decision. Not all those who enter the seminary get ordained.

If it helps any, this person who may have a desire for the priesthood is merely decideing to further their own education and spiritual understanding at this time. Entering the seminary does not necessarily mean you must become a priest and those in the clergy at in seminary know this very well. A seminarian will never be forced into any decision but will make it for themselves.

Hope that helps if not PM me and Ill see if I can explain it better

 

[Maynoothman]

If they truly have a vocation they probably wouldnt be easily convinced against entering the seminery so dont worry about it!

 

[puzzleannie]

i don’t think sin/not sin enters into it, but certainly if one knows the candidate well and has reason for grave reservations about his desire to become a priest, it would be one’s duty as a friend to express those doubts, give reasons, and suggest he meet with his spiritual director for further discernment. I would go so far as to say if one has absolute certain knowledge of anything that would prevent the candidate from being ordained and fulfilling the duties of the priesthood, he has the further obligation to inform the bishop or vocations director about that knowledge (previous marriage for instance, or deep psychological disorder).

 

[Noobasaurus_Rex]

No it’s not a sin if he isn’t a priest yet and dependent on which stage of the process.

If he hasn’t entered the seminary, then definitely not a sin. If he is in the latter parts of the seminary, do not discourage him. The rest, highly dependent.

 

[catholicsem]

I feel compelled to respond again given some of the responses to this topic.

Speaking as someone who is in the seminary and is pretty sure he is called to the priesthood, I think it is most definetely wrong to discourage someone from becoming a priest if they are truly called by God. It can be very harmful, trust me. A surety in one’s vocation doesn’t do away with all human weakness. It can be an avenue for temptation to walk away from one’s vocation. There have been times in my discernment, where, in my own weakness, I have taken someone elses discouragement of my vocation to be a sign that I have to leave. It’s not very hard to convince yourself that you should leave when the world outside of seminary and priesthood looks very appealing. Certainly, people who are strong enough in their convictions will brush off any discouregement, but that’s not a reason to put that temptation in their face anyway.

If this is an issue of a person who has shown signs that he isn’t called to the priesthood, or has obvious impediments to becoming a priest, then discouragement may very well be necessary and obligatory. However, often times, it’s best to leave that to the vocation directors, bishops, or those in charge of that person’s formation.

 

[onmywayagain]

Is it a sin to discourage a man from becoming a priest?

Only God calls people to Priesthood. And for anyone to try to stop the called is to go against God’s plan for that person. I would consider that a sin.

 

[Homebrew_roots]

Well, coming from another guy in the seminary, I would say that its an issue that is kind of relative the the situation. Its impossible to say it is wrong/right without looking at the given situation.

If its a guy who has some of the same problems that any other guy goes through, I personally wouldn’t say anything. That can be left up to bishops,vocations directors, the seminary administration…etc.
If he isn’t called to the priesthood, it’ll probably show up eventually during seminary. Keep in mind, folks, that while in seminary, every single little detail about a person is scrutinized and examined, so all the bad stuff USUALLY comes to the surface.

BUT, if there happened to be an issue that you knew this guy is hiding from the Church in order to get into seminary, then of course I would say something to him. One on one, and in privacy of course. And it would have to be a pretty serious issue. Like murder. maybe not murder, but you get the point. Otherwise, I would just chill and let God work it all out.

And keep in mind, that if its just something from the guy’s past, he could very well be over it by now. But again, it all depends on what it is that you happen to think should keep him out of seminary.

 

[Woodstock]

I originally read it a way others here haven’t commented on. I read it to mean “Is it a sin for a woman to discourage a man from becoming a priest so that he will instead marry her?”

I further thought of a loving father who wants his only son to take on the family business and pass on the family name.

Or maybe it is a friend who sees potential in another life area (doctor, writer, electronics technician) and doesn’t want to see the man “waste” his talent.

Or it could be someone who is commenting on the priesthood as a profession and not the suitability of the man for the job. It might be the priest scandals, the pressure the priest scandals have placed on all the good priests, the long hours, the errant bishops, the state of the rectory, celibacy, the poor retirement, or any other practical issue about living the life of a priest.