Yes, I know. Ordaining married men to the priesthood is the norm in the traditional territories of several Eastern Catholic Churches, but the official law on the books is that married men, Eastern or otherwise, can only be ordained in the Americas with permission from Rome. If Pope Francis has told the bishops of the Americas not to worry about this, it would be a change (for the better IMO).
I haven’t heard that, but even if it’s true, how much difference would it make? I won’t say anything regarding the Slav Byzantines, but it’s more than likely that the Melkite bishop would do it anyway. The Maronite bishops, of course, will always and forever beg for permission on an ad-hoc basis (at least until such time as “cum data fuerit” is formally abrogated).
It could indicate a willingness to formally abrogate it…if the rumors are true. Rome moves very slowly, and even the Pope doesn’t rule on a whim (usually).
At present, almost all of the married Roman Rite priests are former protestants; the bulk are at present the Anglican Ordinariate priests, but there are former Lutherans, former Methodists, former Baptists amongst them, and these number almost as many. The handful of exceptions are former Orthodox. (It does, from time to time, happen that an Orthodox priest comes into communion with Rome, and asks for permission to function as a Roman Rite priest. Usually, when an Orthodox cleric comes into communion with Rome, they are ascribed to the parallel Church Sui Iuris, and may be permitted to function within it.)
“Cum Data Fuerit,” was approved by Pope Pius XI on February 9, 1929 for 10 years, with article 12 requiring that “priests of the Greek-Ruthenian Rite who wish to go to the United States of North America and stay there, must be celibates.” It was renewed in 1939 and then revised in 1940 for 10 years, and revised with Crebrae allatae 1949 and sollicitudinem nostram 1950 of Pope Pius XII. Later the Eastern Canon Law took place of this with CCEO 758.3 which states taht “The particular law of each Church sui iuris or special norms established by the Apostolic See are to be followed in admitting married men to sacred orders.” The Byzantine Catholic Metr. Ch. Pittsburgh particular law is 758.3.2 “Concerning the admission of married men to the order of the presbyterate, the special norms issued by the Apostolic See are to be observed, unless dispensations are granted by the same See in individual cases.”
This is why it rubs me the wrong way when people suggest that Orthodox could easily reunite with the RCC using the model of the Eastern Catholic churches.
It should rub every Catholic the wrong way too, considering that the Vatican has officially rejected that particular model for Catholic-Orthodox reunion.
There is an Anglican Priest in my immediate area who was admitted to the Roman Catholic priesthood a few years back. He has a wife and family and apparently the diocese has purchased them a condo. He pastors two small churches in this area and, last I heard, there were people leaving by the dozens. I was raised in the Latin Rite tradition and I believe that a priest should be celibate for many reasons, the most important being that his primary goal is to serve those in his parish, not his wife, not his children. Since it appears vocations are considerably small, our Church might be somehow coerced into allowing “priests” from other Christian denominations (Episcopalian, I’m sure there are others) to “sign up” and be ordained. But anyone over age 45 is going to have a HUGE problem with this. Why are OUR priests, those who vowed chastity, left in the dust when we all know how difficult chastity is for a man (and a woman, but I think more so for a man, given the biological structure)? Are they supposed to live without the companionship, mental, psychological, emotional and physical, of a woman while others who fill the shoes of a “priest” because vocations are not being answered do NOT have to suffer? I say: resoundingly: NO NO AND NO. If the Church suffers from a lack of vocations, then that is a result of the continuing decline in Humanity of its pursuit of God, its belief in God, and its struggle to find its place in the world with God. Jesus asked if He would find any faith upon His return. WHY? Because he will find very little. STOP ordaining Episcopal or any other sort of “priest” from any denomination who are married with children, YOU ARE creating a travesty of this Church.
This thread is about ordaining married men in the Eastern Catholic Churches. For us, it is part of our tradition, and most certainly not a travesty.
The Church has been ordaining married men to the priesthood since the time of the Apostles. Certainly not a travesty. Perhaps you should become more familiar with your own Church’s traditions before you post?
First of all, you confuse “chastity” (the proper integration of one’s sexuality according to one’s state in life, including as married persons) with “celibacy” (being unmarried and refraining from sexual relations.)
When I last visited the seminary, there were three married seminarians. Two were ordained for the Eparchy of Phoenix (and one is my pastor now). The other one, I believe, is still on school for the Eparchy of Parma. Word on the grapevine is that another of Phoenix’s seminarians is graduated and discerning marriage. I have heard that more may be coming in the future. We will see!
Agreed, 100%!
If you’re referring to Eastern Orthodox bishops, you’re absolutely correct. If you’re referring to Eastern Catholic bishops…you’re still absolutely correct (well, at least imho
.)How do you know he doesn’t? The Eastern Catholic Church is (part of) “his own Church”.
I apologize and I may be in error however; I am not aware of any such need for Papal approval for the ordination and I know, several, several married Easter Deacons that were elevated to Priest over the years. The thought that Papal approval is needed is inconsistent with the Suri Juris nature of the Ukrainian-Byzantine Church (and I speak only on behalf of that Church).
What does Rome have to do with it?