Which It? Pastor’s kids? Virtually a given, at least one/ family on average. Large families being an issue? Many, if not most, Catholics have ignored Humanae Vitae. Divorce, Catholics sadly divorce at the same rate as the general population. None of these would be particularly rare if there was a boom in vocations from married priests.
The point is that these are the hidden issues that Protestant ministers and their families face. The people don’t always survive, there is a high burn out rate (hence “pastor’s kids” syndrome). As the article points out, Protestant pastors are not as set apart from their congregations as priests are (ontologically or in practice). The issues would be more, not less, apparent in the Catholic Church.
The Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches do use discernment when ordaining a married man. For one both he and his wife must be already living a life dedicated to Christ, the Church and theosis. Secondly, a bishop won’t even consider ordaining a married man unless the man’s wife consents. The vocation to the married priesthood is every bit as much the wife and family’s vocation as it is the husband’s. I’m sure there are other regulations as well, but I don’t know what they are. Now, as far as Humanae Vitae goes, a bishop could not ordain a married man if the couple was engaging in any form of contraception because the use of contraceptives is an automatic excommunication (at least to my knowledge, I could be wrong). There is the possibility of the priest and his wife setting the example for their parishioners and leading those who have fallen to return to the chaste use of their sexuality (be it in the married life or in the single life). I will admit that divorce could be a problem. But again, if the couple is already actively trying to live holy lives, then the likelihood of divorce is much less.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not necessarily advocating a married priesthood for the Latin Church. Before that could happen safely I think there would need to be a change in how the priesthood is currently viewed and a shift in emphasis away from the activity of the priest.
I don’t think it’s fair to compare a married priesthood, especially as it is experienced and lived in the Christian East, to married Protestant ministers. Often times what happens with Protestant ministers and their wives is that they end up completely running their church, doing all the administrative work, preaching, fund-raising, giving spiritual direction, etc., etc., etc. This is what leads to the burn out and what leads to the “Pastor’s Kids Syndrome”. When the pastor and his wife are spending all their time trying to run their church and do everything in the community, naturally their poor children are neglected. This has not been a problem among Eastern Catholics and Orthodox. In the East the laity take a much more active role in the life of their parish church. They take charge of administrative affairs, manage the funds and fund raising, organize charitable activities, etc. Likewise, the parish priest has not always been looked to for spiritual direction. That has traditionally been seen as being the “duty” (I use that word loosely) of the monastics. Usually the married parish priest simply serves the various liturgical services and preaches, yes he, his wife and family are also involved in the other affairs of the parish, but those affairs don’t necessarily depend on the pastor and his family to be present. There is also an emphasis on the role of the diaconate in the East. The deacons also take a great burden off the priest and his family. Likewise, many parishes have several priests, which frees up even more time.
I’m merely trying to point out that comparing the married priesthood of the East with married Protestant ministers is not the best comparison to make. It’s really apples and oranges.
