Priest married to whom?

[mayxanh]

Many people here told me that priests are married to the Church, not to Jesus.

Do you have any quotation from trusted sources?

We have discussion on this topic. In my originial country, people belive that priests are married to Jesus which gives grounds for atheists mocking about homosexuality of priests!

Thank you

 

[cargau]

The Church is the bride of Christ. Since the priest stands in the person of Christ, she (the Church) is his bride also…

 

[mayxanh]

I found this from EWTN.com

source: ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=315464&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu=

*Are non-celibate priests “married” to the Church?
Question from Becky on 3/26/2002:

Dear Catholic Answers,

A friend of mine says that when a priest is celibate, he is “married” to the Church. If this is the theology behind celibacy in the priesthood, how does it apply to priests who are not bound to celibacy (e.g., Eastern Rite priests and those who converted from Protestant denominations once they were already married)?

Thanks for your time.

Becky

Answer by Catholic Answers on 3/27/2002:
Dear Becky,

Celibate priests can be said to be married to the Church in the way we might say that certain people are married to their work. We don’t mean that they are litterally married to their work. It’s just that they spend so much time at it.

The only spouse a celibate priest has is the Lord*. So one could say that he is married to the Lord. But he is not in any way more related to the Church than those Catholic priests who are married.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P

COPYRIGHT 2013

 

[TimothyH]

Priests are not married to the Church.

Marriage is a covenant relationship which creates a family. Two become one flesh. This is not the relationship between the Church and the priest. The sacrament of Holy Orders through which one becomes a priest does not create a marriage relationship.

And what about deacons? Deacons recieve the sacrament of Holy Orders as well. Are deacons married to the Church? Although some deacon’s wives might argue the point, I don’t think that this is what the Church teaches. .

If priests are married to the Church then priests who are married to a woman are polygamists.

-Tim-

 

[mayxanh]

Priests are not married to the Church.

Marriage is a covenant relationship which creates a family. Two become one flesh. This is not the relationship between the Church and the priest. The sacrament of Holy Orders through which one becomes a priest does not create a marriage relationship.

And what about deacons? Deacons recieve the sacrament of Holy Orders as well. Are deacons married to the Church? Although some deacon’s wives might argue the point, I don’t think that this is what the Church teaches. .

If priests are married to the Church then priests who are married to a woman are polygamists.

-Tim-

TimothyH,

Thank you for your reply. Just a little curious question. Are you Catholic? (you did not specify your religion in your profile). Thank you