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MJE
Guest
With all the talk about a married clergy what do the stats show in terms of what Catholic priests think. Do they want to be married? I don’t have any data but I would guess NO would be their answer.
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Milliardo
Guest
The only thing I know is that there are those who left the ministry to get married, and want to continue in the ministry. I am not sure how many of them are there, but those who spoke are sad that they cannot continue on as active priests.
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BLB_Oregon
Guest
Our old parish priest told us once that he got a questionaire asking if he thought priests should be allowed to marry. He said wryly “I wrote in: only if they can use birth control. I would hate to be the priest’s kid.” Obviously, he thought the celibate priesthood, although difficult for the priests, was better than shifting the great burden onto their families. He did say, though, that a celibate priesthood requires that it be a true brotherhood, that the parish or religious community be a sort of a family. I’ve heard Dominican priests wonder aloud how diocesan priests do without that greater community of religious that they have.
I don’t know how the priests as a whole feel about it. I would not have a problem with allowing the discipline of the Eastern Churches… they allow the ordination of married men, but not the marriage of men who are already priests. Still, as you imply, I think it is a matter best left to the Holy Father and his brother priests.
I don’t know how the priests as a whole feel about it. I would not have a problem with allowing the discipline of the Eastern Churches… they allow the ordination of married men, but not the marriage of men who are already priests. Still, as you imply, I think it is a matter best left to the Holy Father and his brother priests.
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mommy
Guest
Our priest laughed at the prospect and asked that we not push for this on his behalf, that a wife and kids would be the last thing he needs.
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Deacon_Tony560
Guest
The priests that have commented know that they could never marry. If the married priesthood in the Roman Rite was brought back, it would only apply to those not yet Ordained. In the Roman Rite, marriage is not an impediment to the priesthood, but Ordination is an impediment to marriage. Church law has always been that after Ordination there can be no marriage. This goes back to the time when there were married priests in the Roman Rite. Our bishop made this clear before he Ordained my deacon class, by having us all sign a legal document.
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didymus
Guest
Deacon Tony560:
They certainly seem to have kept that a secret, except for special cases like Anglican priests who have converted.
I would think that married men, especially if their children were grown, or nearly so, would be excellent priests.
“Marriage is not an impediment to priesthood”???
They certainly seem to have kept that a secret, except for special cases like Anglican priests who have converted.
I would think that married men, especially if their children were grown, or nearly so, would be excellent priests.
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Steve_Grondin
Guest
My wife is blessed with having several priests in her family - uncles and cousins on both sides.
At one family get-together, we talked about their views on celibacy. One common thread was the freedom it provided them to respond to God’s call without consideration of what it might mean to a wife and children. A small sample size, but I think you might find it representative.
At one family get-together, we talked about their views on celibacy. One common thread was the freedom it provided them to respond to God’s call without consideration of what it might mean to a wife and children. A small sample size, but I think you might find it representative.
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Pentecost2005
Guest
didymus said:
Right. That’s exactly what he was referring to.
Why?
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Ignatius
Guest
Even if the discipline changed to permit ordination of married men to the priesthood, the existing ones couldn’t get married. No Catholic or Orthodox Church has ever permitted marriage subsequent to ordination.
God Bless.
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demolitionman65
Guest
Can’t serve two families at once; the “home family” and the “church family”. There is not enough to go around.
When I was a Catholic school principal, the family demands made my job impossible. . .and a priest has MUCH more responsibility than that. Our church priests’ calendars suggest regular 12-hour days, packed weekends. . .not time for family.
When I was a Catholic school principal, the family demands made my job impossible. . .and a priest has MUCH more responsibility than that. Our church priests’ calendars suggest regular 12-hour days, packed weekends. . .not time for family.
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gelsbern
Guest
Tell that to our eastern rite brothers, and to the 100 or so married priest in the U.S. Tell them they can’t do what they are doing.
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Exporter
Guest
I appreciate the comment that married men with grown children can be good priests…BUT.
One does not just run down to the Priest License Office ( like getting a drivers certificate or License). Do you know how many years of training/formation it takes to form a Priest. I dont think most married men could leave home to study for the Priesthood.
One does not just run down to the Priest License Office ( like getting a drivers certificate or License). Do you know how many years of training/formation it takes to form a Priest. I dont think most married men could leave home to study for the Priesthood.
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RichT
Guest
About the same time it takes to become a doctor. I know many doctors who get married after their training. Anyway, please forgive my sense of humor. The parish I was confirmed in had a married priest. He was not assigned to the parish, but instead had a position in the dioces office. He did celebrate mass at my parish as it was his home parish.
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fin
Guest
celibcay is not required right? so a priest can opt not to ta ke those vows
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