Question on a divorced man entering the priesthood

[irishbk]

I understand a divorced man can later enter the priesthood, provided the marriage was declared null. But I have two questions to clarify specific situations:

1. If the man was previously a part of a civil marriage and divorce only (not in the Church), would he still be eligible for the priesthood?
2. If the man has children from a previous marriage, is he eligible? I have read the children must be 18 (and thus not his dependents)… but that seems indefinite. I also wonder (perhaps this is question 2a)… if the mother of the children has re-married and as such the children have another provider, does this age requirement still hold true?

From what I gather, the rules are as much guidelines left to the discretion of local authorities as firm law. Also, there exists the possibiltiies of dispensation at the highest levels, in certain cases.

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

 

[FAB]

I understand a divorced man can later enter the priesthood, provided the marriage was declared null. But I have two questions to clarify specific situations:

1. If the man was previously a part of a civil marriage and divorce only (not in the Church), would he still be eligible for the priesthood?

If the marriage was civil only then there would be no action for declartion of nullity from the Church. That doesn’t mean that the Church would not investigate the marrage based on the desire for priesthood.

1. If the man has children from a previous marriage, is he eligible? I have read the children must be 18 (and thus not his dependents)… but that seems indefinite. I also wonder (perhaps this is question 2a)… if the mother of the children has re-married and as such the children have another provider, does this age requirement still hold true?

I can’t answer this specifically, but if a man has children her would still be expected to be involed in thier lives, the question of financial support falls under civil authority. He may very well be able to become a preist even though he has minor children

From what I gather, the rules are as much guidelines left to the discretion of local authorities as firm law. Also, there exists the possibiltiies of dispensation at the highest levels, in certain cases.

I am certain that the diocese he is seaking to be ordained in will vet him completly and these things will be taken into account.
The question comes to mind if you are personally involed and are you looking for reasons to keep thei man from fulling his calling?

 

[runningdude]

If the marriage was civil only then there would be no action for declartion of nullity from the Church. That doesn’t mean that the Church would not investigate the marrage based on the desire for priesthood.

Exactly, the local bishop would likely be very wary of admitting a Priest based who attempted a civil “marriage” due to the likelihood of scandal. It wouldn’t be a formal impediment to ordination, but unless there were extenuating circumstances, the Bishop might accept him on those grounds.

As for minor children, I’ve read elsewhere a while back that for widowed men seeking ordination, the financial support for the children must be worked out in advance of ordination and installation in a parish or vows taken for a religious society. This could be in the form of a trust fund, etc, or as said before, waiting for the children to reach financial independence themselves (employed, and post college if applicable). I would assume it would be the same situation for children from a Priest’s invalid marriage.

 

[Chatter163]

If the marriage was civil only then there would be no action for declartion of nullity from the Church. That doesn’t mean that the Church would not investigate the marrage based on the desire for priesthood.

Not quite. This post makes it sound as if the diocese would investigate the putative marriage as part of the application process, but not for canonical reasons. Such a union would still need to be declared null, even if it were only a lack of form case, just as would be the case for a Catholic married outside of the Church, seeking a second marriage in the Church. It is not the same lengthy annulment process, but the union would still need to be declared canonically null through documentation.

Any such aspirant would, as a practical matter, need to be well past that stage to be considered for seminary. In other words, to allow time for healing, growth and maturation, few bishops would consider a recently divorced man.

I can’t answer this specifically, but if a man has children her would still be expected to be involed in thier lives, the question of financial support falls under civil authority. He may very well be able to become a preist even though he has minor children

Again, I would consider it highly unlikely that any bishop would consider such an aspirant. Candidates for seminary normally are to be debt-free or close to it, and the presence of minor children (even college-age children, in some cases) would allow the possibility that financial obligations might arise via civil action or otherwise. Most bishops would want to steer completely clear of such family dramas, or worse, court cases.