Should Priests be able to marry?

[Bballer32]

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!

Ok that is a good point… gave me a chuckle

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.

St. Paul chose celibacy for a reason. He wanted to be like Christ. This is probably the most legitimate reason why priests should also be celibate. I have found very few legit reasons for married priests. But what do i know? I’m only a teen.

As for you being Eastern Catholic, I respect your tradition. As we both recognize the pope, i will continue to follow his teachings. Am i against married clergy; yes, i think a single male will be easier to move around, easier to trust, etc. If the pope woke up tomorrow and said that men could be married then become priests, i would respect that. But as a young teenage discerning the priesthood, i’ve come to realize that i need to be single in order to be the best priest i can be.

And there may not be a legitimate document claiming priests to be married to the Church, but in the long run, i see it being the most reasonable that celibate priests are married to the Church. I’ll double check with my priest and talk to him more about this.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

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.”

At some level there is a difference between a vocation and a “state of life.” The priesthood is clearly a vocation. The Church likes to talk about marriage as a vocation, but it also has the characteristics of a state of life. Would we say that a married doctor has 2 vocations - a doctor who manages to be on call 24/7 - or that his vocation is marriage and medicine is just a job? Or a married deacon? I see nothing inherently contradictory about the idea of the married state co-existing with a religious vocation.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

At some level there is a difference between a vocation and a “state of life.” The priesthood is clearly a vocation. The Church likes to talk about marriage as a vocation, but it also has the characteristics of a state of life. Would we say that a married doctor has 2 vocations - a doctor who manages to be on call 24/7 - or that his vocation is marriage and medicine is just a job? Or a married deacon? I see nothing inherently contradictory about the idea of the married state co-existing with a religious vocation.

Neither does the Eastern Church.

 

[koolpc]

If the Catholic church were so strong on celibacy and non marriage of priests why would they allow Anglican married priests to become catholic priests?

 

[Ohana]

If the Catholic church were so strong on celibacy and non marriage of priests why would they allow Anglican married priests to become catholic priests?

Why would they accept these men into communion with the Catholic Church, then kick them out of the priesthood? their preparation and ordination were similar and there is such a need for priests. I think this is another example of the diversity in Mother Church. They are interested in bringing all who stray away back into communion. Witness the extreme right wing sects that they are trying to bridge build with.

 

[koolpc]

My point is, if they can allow an Anglican priest to become a catholic priest even though he is married then should also allow catholics who are married to become priests or catholic priests to marry.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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