Married priests in Italy

[twf]

While the episcopal conferences of the Anglo world seem to be open to the ordination of married men (eg. married Latin / Anglican Ordinariate priests in the UK, Canada, US, Australia), it is well known that the Italian conference has opposed even the presence of married Eastern priests ministering to their own flocks within Italy. On another thread I asked whether the Italo-Albaian Greek Catholic Church ordains married men to the priesthood. If so, does this create tension between the Greek eparch and his Latin neighbours? Or is it understood that this one particular region of Italy is “Byzantine” and simply “different” from the rest of the country?

 

[MorEphrem]

I cannot speak in particular to the Byzantine Churches in Italy, but it is not an Italian-exclusive anecdotal situation. The OCA exists in the USA for a reason.

 

[twf]

I cannot speak in particular to the Byzantine Churches in Italy, but it is not an Italian-exclusive anecdotal situation. The OCA exists in the USA for a reason.

True, but I am talking about the present day, not the past. There are dozens if not hundreds of married Catholic priests in the USA. A married Catholic priest even sits as the equal of bishops on the USCCB (Monsignor Steenson, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter). The Italian conference, as I understand it, continues to oppose all married priests of any stripes within Italy…so I was wondering how this works with the Italo-Albanian Greek Catholic Church.

 

[innertide]

True, but I am talking about the present day, not the past. There are dozens if not hundreds of married Catholic priests in the USA. A married Catholic priest even sits as the equal of bishops on the USCCB (Monsignor Steenson, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter). The Italian conference, as I understand it, continues to oppose all married priests of any stripes within Italy…so I was wondering how this works with the Italo-Albanian Greek Catholic Church.

How it works is called double standards and or hypocrasy but the words are changed to suit the powers that be so they can sleep better at night.

 

[twf]

How it works is called double standards and or hypocrasy but the words are changed to suit the powers that be so they can sleep better at night.

So you are saying that, in answer to my original question, the Italian Bishops’ Conference doesn’t have a problem with the ordination of married priests in Italy within the limited confines of the traditional territory of the Italo-Albanian Greek Catholic Church, but opposes married priests ministering anywhere else in the country?

 

[malphono]

So you are saying that, in answer to my original question, the Italian Bishops’ Conference doesn’t have a problem with the ordination of married priests in Italy within the limited confines of the traditional territory of the Italo-Albanian Greek Catholic Church, but opposes married priests ministering anywhere else in the country?

I think it involves jurisdictions. IOW, the Italo-Greek GCC (OK, I’m using the traditional name, so call me anachronistic but whatever) has several eparchial jurisdictions in Italy. Within those jurisdictions, the traditions of the GCC are observed. It appears to me that the objection of the Italian Bishops Conference involves those who do not have a defined jurisdiction in Italy. I recall a while back there was a brouhaha about the Romanians importing a married priest to serve in Italy, but I don’t think there is a Romanian GCC eparchial jurisdiction in Italy. I’m not saying it’s not either a double-standard or hypocritical, but merely stating what I think the rationale may be.

 

[Nestor_kea]

Among all the catholic churches only four are celibate: Malabar, Malankara, Coptic, and (most of) Latin. Italo-Greeks have always been married and what I know also with the name Italo-Albanians they keep continuing to get married. In Italy they have two eparchies and one abbey. Monk-priests are not married but the eparchial ones are, even so many of them are married that it happened (at least it is circulating) it was a difficulty to find a new bishop. I don’t know if it is really truth but when I was once travelling with Sicilian couple in train they told me this.

 

[twf]

Among all the catholic churches only four are celibate: Malabar, Malankara, Coptic, and (most of) Latin. Italo-Greeks have always been married and what I know also with the name Italo-Albanians they keep continuing to get married. In Italy they have two eparchies and one abbey. Monk-priests are not married but the eparchial ones are, even so many of them are married that it happened (at least it is circulating) it was a difficulty to find a new bishop. I don’t know if it is really truth but when I was once travelling with Sicilian couple in train they told me this.

Could not the two eparchies draw their bishops from the monastic ranks of the abbey?

 

[malphono]

Could not the two eparchies draw their bishops from the monastic ranks of the abbey?

The Exarchial Monastery of Grottaferrata is, I believe, the last remnant of the true Italo-Greek Church. The other eparchies are, IIRC, titled Italo-Albanese.

 

[UbiCaritas15]

I feel pretty strongly that a major woman’s role missing in the Church is the wife of the priest. Nuns are really missing everywhere, I hate not having a convent in driving distance or seeing nuns in my community. But definitely the wife of a priest (obviously only men and women called to this, because I think there is also a certain need for unmarried priests) is missing. So other than worries of possible divorce or scandal related to changing tradition, I don’t know why this issue exists.

 

[Peter_J]

Among all the catholic churches only four are celibate: Malabar, Malankara, Coptic, and (most of) Latin.

Interesting, I didn’t even know there were celibate churches.

Kidding, of course, I know what you’re saying but I couldn’t resist.

Anyhow a question: do you mean the “most of” only for the Latin Church or for the other three as well?

 

[Nestor_kea]

Well, by “most of” I was refering to ex-Protestants who are now Roman Catholics or to validly and allowed consecrated married priests in some ex-communist states, but it should also be applicable e. g. to ex-OO Copts who are now Catholic Copts a.s.o.