Should Priests be able to marry?

[thesmiter1]

I must also add that the former pastor at the parish I used to attend was a married former Anglican priest. He was a holy man, and his marriage did not seem to take anything away from that.

I do not believe priest marriage would necessarily be a bad thing. But, like I said before, the leaders of the Church with their Apostolic commission are the ones that make this call. They have good reasons for requiring priestly celibacy, and faithful Catholics will be obedient to their decisions.

 

[KP3243]

In a culture of disordered sexuality, it’s refreshing to encounter people who honor vows of celibacy!!!

AMEN:thumbsup:

 

[Bballer32]

I say a big NO

All people are called to one vocation. This may be the one they are called to their whole life or there may be the occasional married then widowed then religious life.

But for someone to have 2 vocations at once!!! That’s pretty ridiculous. Priests need to be available 24/7 and not have to worry about children or a wife getting in the way. Paul also states that

“The unmarried man is anxious of the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord, while the married man is anxious of the affairs of the world, how to please his wife.”

 

[ConstantineTG]

All people are called to one vocation.

Nowhere does the Church teach this, nowhere did the Apostles teach this, nowhere did the Early Church Fathers teach this.

But for someone to have 2 vocations at once!!! That’s pretty ridiculous. Priests need to be available 24/7 and not have to worry about children or a wife getting in the way. Paul also states that

This is not true at all. So many celibate priests are not available 24/7. To make a claim that priests need to be available 24/7 is ridiculous. And haven’t you heard of policemen, firemen, doctors, technical support engineers? These people need to be available 24/7 and they have no problems being married. I am an IT guy, I have worked in 24/7 operations before. And as an Eastern Catholic my current priest is married, as well knowing a number of married priest. I will tell you this, demands on my time are much greater than on them.

 

[Bballer32]

There are so many strong feelings about this issue. I believe this choice should be between a priest and God and celibacy should not be imposed. Advocates of celibacy say it brings the priest closer to God and closer to the likeness of Christ. But what about the rest of us- a severe priest shortage leaves millions of people without a priest and far from God.

The solution to this.

Get kids away from TV’s, away from computers, and away from the ways of this world. Get them away from all this immodest stuff and teach them the ways of prayer and the Church.

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS AND SOLUTION SOLVED!!!

 

[johnnyjones]

Yes, one married my sister last week.

 

[koolpc]

I really think a priest should be able to marry. Nobody knows for sure that Jesus wasnt married. I am sure it would be a good thing.

 

[Bballer32]

Nowhere does the Church teach this, nowhere did the Apostles teach this, nowhere did the Early Church Fathers teach this.

But Constantine understand this. As Catholics we do not allow polygamy since that is basically wrong in all ways. So, would that not be the same as a priest being married? He is married to TWO women: the Church and their wife. I don’t know about you but i think that this would be considered spiritual and earthly polygamy.

In the Bible it states that “the two shall become one flesh.” Right? Well, married couples become one flesh so no where does it say in the bible “the three shall become one flesh.” No, a priest is married to the Church and becomes flesh with her.

 

[Church_Militant]

Imposed priestly celibacy is unbiblical. Neither Jesus nor St. Paul declared that is should be enforced. They highly endorsed it, but neither made any statement saying that it should be the rule.

Only in your opinion which is apparently guided by you forcing (or should I say. “enforcing”?) your personal interpretation onto clear statements from Our Blessed Lord. For instance note the following.
Matthew 19:10-12
"10 His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry.11 Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it. "
According to your remarks, the church should make no provision for those “to whom it is given”. Nothing is “imposed”, that why there is so much discernment devoted to the priestly vocations. If one discerns that celibacy is not his calling, but that the priesthood is, then there are certainly other avenues for that to be pursued within the context of Catholicism. The Latin Rite is not the only option and the disciplines vary by rites. Regardless, your assertion is biased and actually is the scriptural one.

Nowhere does the Church teach this, nowhere did the Apostles teach this, nowhere did the Early Church Fathers teach this

Really? Better tell St. Paul then because your statement is proved categorically untrue.
1st Corinthians 7:6-9
“6 But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that. 8 But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. 9 But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.”
(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

This is not true at all. So many celibate priests are not available 24/7. To make a claim that priests need to be available 24/7 is ridiculous. And haven’t you heard of policemen, firemen, doctors, technical support engineers? These people need to be available 24/7 and they have no problems being married. I am an IT guy, I have worked in 24/7 operations before. And as an Eastern Catholic my current priest is married, as well knowing a number of married priest. I will tell you this, demands on my time are much greater than on them.

This is just you grasping at straws to attempt to support your remarks and it an http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h244/corona_stellarum/Smilies/emo-epicfail.png especially in light of the following excerpt to my article which was sent to me by a Franciscan friend here at CAF.

*I’m reading this with a smile on my face. We have two sides here. One side wants to prove at all cost that celibacy is a heresy. The other side wants to prove that it’s not a heresy, but that it’s good for the person.

Has anyone thought to ask any of us thousands of men and women who are vowed to live celibate lives, who are very happy as celibate men and women, who have never violated anyone and who have no desire to be married – has anyone asked us about our faith journey and how celibacy has helped us along that journey?

It’s so interesting to watch those who have no stake in the matter try to decide for us what is right and wrong with the way that we live, but without ever asking us and without knowing us as persons. Most of us are very happy being celibate.

Is it non-biblical? I’ll let you be the judge of that. I’ll give you my daily schedule and you tell me if it’s non-biblical.
*
4:45 Divine Office - Matins

5: 15 Lectio Divina

5:45 Divine Office - Lauds

6:15 Holy Mass

7:00 Breakfast

7:30 We speak for the first time this day and we clean up breakfast dishes, etc

8:00 Divine Office - Mid-Morning Prayer

8:30 Leave for ministry

12:00 break for bread and tea

12:15 Continue ministry

2:30 Divine Office - Mid - Afternoon Prayer

3:00 Quiet Time (study, pray, read, write letters, check email or nap)

4:00 Divine Office - Evening Prayer

4:30 Rosary

5:00 Silent Prayer in chapel

5:30 Supper

6:15 Clean up

6:45 Ministry

8:45 Community Recreation

9:45 Divine Office - Night Prayer - begin grand silence and bed if you want to

12:00 am. Divine Office - Midnight Office

12:30 back to bed *On top of that schedule of prayer, fraternal life and service, there are the three vows: obedience, poverty and consecrated celibacy.

1. I, Brother N, Vow to obey the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Rule until death.

1. I vow to live according to the poverty of the Most High Lord Jesus Christ Crucified, without any property of my own, without wishing or desiring anything for myself except the salvation of my soul, and without seeking any place other than the last place for myself, according to the Holy Gospel.

1. I vow to voluntarily surrender the only possession that I truly have, the right to marriage and fatherhood, realizing that it is a pearl of great value and I return it to almighty God in reparation for my sins, in praise of his glory and love, and for the greater good of my brothers. Instead, I hereby bind myself to these my brothers as Christ prayed that all might be one, as he and the Father are one, and I solemnly vow, at the risk of losing my immortal soul that I will love my brothers as Christ loved his Apostles and will, to the best of my abilities, strive to fulfill Christ’s greatest wish that we might all be one as he and the Father are one, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

And in conclusion, I vow to obey our Holy Father Francis and his canonically elected successors so that totally stripped of all things, including my will, I may conform to Christ who was obedient even unto death. To this, I consecrate all the days of my life and I ask you my brothers to pray with me, that God may have mercy on my soul.

---

PS. That’s the formula for vows for the Franciscan Brothers… The wording varies from one community to another, but they’re the same vows and the effect is the virtually the same.

---

Which part is not biblical, the daily life or the vows?

What married man can live this life?

I wish someone would ask me if this celibacy is Anti Biblical?*

 

[RyanBlack]

But Constantine understand this. As Catholics we do not allow polygamy since that is basically wrong in all ways. So, would that not be the same as a priest being married? He is married to TWO women: the Church and their wife. I don’t know about you but i think that this would be considered spiritual and earthly polygamy.

In the Bible it states that “the two shall become one flesh.” Right? Well, married couples become one flesh so no where does it say in the bible “the three shall become one flesh.” No, a priest is married to the Church and becomes flesh with her.

You are terribly, terribly wrong in making this unfounded accusation of spiritual and earthly polygamy. There are in fact many Eastern Catholic priests (in communion with Rome) who are married, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges the fruitful ministry of the married priesthood among the Eastern Churches. Furthermore, the Western Church at one time permitted married priests, and still does, although in very limited circumstances.

 

[RyanBlack]

But Constantine understand this. As Catholics we do not allow polygamy since that is basically wrong in all ways. So, would that not be the same as a priest being married? He is married to TWO women: the Church and their wife. I don’t know about you but i think that this would be considered spiritual and earthly polygamy.

In the Bible it states that “the two shall become one flesh.” Right? Well, married couples become one flesh so no where does it say in the bible “the three shall become one flesh.” No, a priest is married to the Church and becomes flesh with her.

Where does the Church teach that the priest becomes one flesh with the Church? Please direct me to the official teaching.

 

[Michael_Francis]

You are terribly, terribly wrong in making this unfounded accusation of spiritual and earthly polygamy. There are in fact many Eastern Catholic priests (in communion with Rome) who are married, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges the fruitful ministry of the married priesthood among the Eastern Churches. Furthermore, the Western Church at one time permitted married priests, and still does, although in very limited circumstances.

Where does the Church teach that the priest becomes one flesh with the Church? Please direct me to the official teaching.

Ryan is correct BBaller. Your analogy is flawed. Ryan could probably also point out the Eastern disciplines regarding celibate and married priests as well.

 

[Church_Militant]

Ryan is correct BBaller. Your analogy is flawed.

 

[Bballer32]

Forgive me of my flaw. I was trying a point which apparently didn’t make sense after being stated.

To Ryan

Priests marry the Church. Why wouldn’t they become one with the Church

 

[RyanBlack]

Forgive me of my flaw. I was trying a point which apparently didn’t make sense after being stated.

To Ryan

Priests marry the Church. Why wouldn’t they become one with the Church

Where is the teaching that priests marry the Church? Please point me to the actual Church teaching.

 

[Bballer32]

Where is the teaching that priests marry the Church? Please point me to the actual Church teaching.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 796

In this Section it explains how Christ is married to the Church.

Now, a priest acts “in persona Christi” becoming Christ on earth right? Therefore, the priest must be married to the Church in order to be “in persona Christi”

Also read these

[BIBLEDRB]1 Corinthians 6:15-17[/BIBLEDRB]

[BIBLEDRB]Ephesians 5:31-32[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[RyanBlack]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 796

In this Section it explains how Christ is married to the Church.

Now, a priest acts “in persona Christi” becoming Christ on earth right? Therefore, the priest must be married to the Church in order to be “in persona Christi”

Also read these

[BIBLEDRB]1 Corinthians 6:15-17[/BIBLEDRB]

[BIBLEDRB]Ephesians 5:31-32[/BIBLEDRB]

None of this translates into priests being married to the Church. No, the priest does not have to be “married to the Church” (a pious tradition, not actual Church teaching) in order to be in persona Christi. All Christians, by virtue of their baptism, participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Furthermore, all Christians participate in Christ’s ministry by virtue of baptism (and the ordained do so in a particular way). However, this does not make any of us married to the Church.

Also, read post 45 in this thread, by Friar David, O.Carm.

 

[Bballer32]

Ryan and Constantine

Please read this on Clerical Celibacy and its importance.

newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm

Also to Ryan

Look at this through God’s eyes. Why wouldn’t the priest be married to the Church?

 

[RyanBlack]

Again, can you produce an official Church teaching that states that priests are married to the Church? Christ, and Christ alone, is wedded to the Church. All Christians participate in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection by virtue of baptism, and priests, by virtue of ordination, participate in Christ’s ministry in a particular way. However, none of us–not even a priest–is Christ. By the way, the logic you used to suggest that a priest would be guilty of polygamy if he were to be married, because he is married to the Church really makes no sense, unless you also want to say that the Church herself is polygamous for having so many husbands!

As for the importance of clerical celibacy, I’m not really interested in what the Catholic Encyclopedia has to say. I’ve studied Church history. What happened was that the theological justifications were added after the Church decided to enforce clercial celibacy for what were entirely practical, non-doctrinal reasons. Clerical celibacy was adopted in order to address a need of the time. Should legitimate reasons arise (I personally believe they have), the Church certainly has the option of permitting a married priesthood. Furthermore, I’m Eastern Catholic, and in the Eastern Catholic tradition, we value and honor a married priesthood.