Married Priest

[charwisc]

A gentleman I know through our diocese was a convert to Catholicism about 3 years ago. He is married and was a Lutheran minister before converting. He told me last week that he has been accepted to pursue studies to become a Catholic priest. How does this situation work since he has a wife? Are there some rites in Catholicism that do not acknowledge his marital status? I’ve heard that the Latin rite will not allow him to say Mass nor will he be recognized as a priest. I feel happy for him and his wife but I am wondering how celibate priests will feel about this “new priest and his wife”? Do you think there’s any resentment there for him by the celibate priests? How many married priests do we have nationwide?

 

[JoeyWarren]

A gentleman I know through our diocese was a convert to Catholicism about 3 years ago. He is married and was a Lutheran minister before converting. He told me last week that he has been accepted to pursue studies to become a Catholic priest.How does this situation work since he has a wife?

A wife is no barrier for a convert, thanks to JP2.

Are there some rites in Catholicism that do not acknowledge his marital status?

If they exist then they are not in communion with Rome.

I’ve heard that the Latin rite will not allow him to say Mass nor will he be recognized as a priest.

It’s not up to the Latin Rite, it is ultimately up to the Rome and the Holy Father.

I feel happy for him and his wife but I am wondering how celibate priests will feel about this “new priest and his wife”?

You should feel happy. As for the Priests, they should feel the same. More so with the ever dwindling numbers of those entering the Priesthood.

Do you think there’s any resentment there for him by the celibate priests?

Resentment is sinful.

How many married priests do we have nationwide?

Quite a few. Most are ex-Episcopalian.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Don’t forget, there are many married priest in Eastern Churches in communion with Rome.

There are three alone in my city.

 

[Aramis]

In the Roman Rite Archdiocese of Anchorage, there is a Married Priest of the Roman Rite. Rev. Scott Medlock was a Methodist, and converted, was ordained to the deaconate, and then when Rome gave approval, to the priesthood.

He was not permitted to be a Pastor for several years, but by the same token, neither was another priest, who was celibate. Both now pastor parishes. Both spent their first two years as Assistant Pastors at large parishes. Both spent this time under the watchful eye of the Vicar General, as well…

 

[Freshman88]

Don’t forget, there are many married priest in Eastern Churches in communion with Rome.

There are three alone in my city.

Yeah but that’s a different tradition.

 

[kleary]

A gentleman I know through our diocese was a convert to Catholicism about 3 years ago. He is married and was a Lutheran minister before converting. He told me last week that he has been accepted to pursue studies to become a Catholic priest. How does this situation work since he has a wife? Are there some rites in Catholicism that do not acknowledge his marital status? I’ve heard that the Latin rite will not allow him to say Mass nor will he be recognized as a priest. I feel happy for him and his wife but I am wondering how celibate priests will feel about this “new priest and his wife”? Do you think there’s any resentment there for him by the celibate priests? How many married priests do we have nationwide?

1. His marriage is valid on the face of what you say. Lutheran marriages are “valid marriages”…if they are two non-Catholics - now a Catholic and a Lutheran in a Lutheran community without authorization by a Catholic Bishop and Catholic Bishop, priest or deacon in attendance witnessing the action …it is invalid.
2. I am aware of quite a few Lutheran ministers who are married with children who have converted to the Catholic Faith and the minister going to Seminary and being ordained a priest. The Church does make such exceptions for Latin Rite priests.
3. I do not think there is resentment…but true admiration…how he can handle raising a family and being a priest in his parish as well…I have 3 and 1 on the way and I do not even have the time these days to help run a chicken barbecue at my parish.

 

[Aramis]

The rule is “Once validly ordained, no further valid marriages can be attained” (at least without special release, and usually laicization (the return to being a layman)).

Even a permanent deacon is so bound. This is true in ALL the catholic churches in union with Rome.

 

[m134e5]

Priests who are married aren’t the norm in the Latin Rite. This is a discipline, not a doctrine- and sometimes there is a need to dispense from discipline- as seems to be the case with these converts. Each case should be- and is- reviewed individually. Again, I am talking about the Latin Rite only (not that other rites do things differently, necessarily- I don’t know enough about them to really diiscuss them). Celibacy is a good thing (to those who are called to it), and is a great gift to the Church. The witness of a celibate man is truly valuable, if he is true to his vocation (as are the witnesses of married people- we need variety). In our culture, where we are told that we’re somehow “incomplete” if we aren’t married or dating someone, celibate men are needed now more than ever.

 

[drafdog]

I’m sure that we are all glad to have him aboard the barque of Peter. Welcome to our new brother.
That being said, there is an religious order, Friars of the Atonement, if I recall correctly, that was founded by converts from the Anglican church, some of whom were priests and were allowed to continue to serve as priests. They came out of the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church.

Matthew

 

[Caesar]

I’m sure that we are all glad to have him aboard the barque of Peter. Welcome to our new brother.
That being said, there is an religious order, Friars of the Atonement, if I recall correctly, that was founded by converts from the Anglican church, some of whom were priests and were allowed to continue to serve as priests. They came out of the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Church.

Matthew

They were not allowed to continue to serve as priests as the Anglicans do not have valid priests. They had to be validly ordained after converting.