It could be like the Greek orthdox. That they may be married before they are ordained but cant after.
priests were able to married in early church. Christ did not pick single men for his apostles most of them were married. So marriage didnt bother Him. Its a man made law and can be changed.Peter the first pope was married and so were many others. If the law is change then your right that its none o four business if a priest is married or single.
I have often heard this thing about the Apostles (Peter) being married…but the only reference I know of is Peter’s MIL in Scripture…but this could mean that Peter was widowed. Do you have other sources for this assertion that most of the Apostles were married?
Celibacy has nothing to do with anyone being “bothered by” marriage.
In addition to the strong witness of a celibate clergy, there is the practical matter of avoiding the expense and the potential troubles and distractions of family life that could cause a priest to lose focus on his sacerdotal mission and dignity. There is nothing more important than being a mediator between God and man, and offering the daily Sacrifice, and forgiving sins. How regrettable to suggest that anything more need be added to a priest’s life to make him “whole.”
This is NOT Church law, nor has it ever been. It’s a matter of voluntary discipline. Only Latin Rite Priests most obey it (that I’m aware of). None of the other 27 Rites have this discipline. Therefore, it is a discipline of the Latin Rite, not Universal Church Law. Again, if you do not agree with the discipline, join a different Rite.
Yes the traditional thought about St Peter is that he was widowed. Understanding Jewish society at the time along with the reference to his MIL who was ill, would certainly support this view. It is also supported by everything we know about Peter in scripture and tradition (eg do we really think he would have left his wife and family, or the Jesus would have wanted him to, and why would he be the only married apostle when the rest were not?0. It is only in modern times, by those who favor a married priesthood, that people have put forth the hypothesis that Peter was married, which is my mind borders on the absurd.
I think married people should not join priesthood because they chose marriage and not priesthood. so they rather stay married since it is the vocation they took.
I think the Church’s ancient practice should be maintained. Priests of any church or rite should not be allowed to marry.
That’s pretty much where I stand on the issue. Also, I’m also not sure from an organizational standpoint if the Church is ready to handle married clergy.
The Church has never permitted those who are ordained to get married after ordination. One must be married before being ordained a deacon if he wants to be a married priest.
