Things that can bar one from religious life

[DoulayKyriou]

Hello everyone,
I know that a suicide attempt can bar a man from the priesthood, but is that true of women trying to enter religious life too?

Thank you!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Hello everyone,
I know that a suicide attempt can bar a man from the priesthood, but is that true of women trying to enter religious life too?

Thank you!

It depends on the circumstances and the reasons behind wanting to commit suicide. I have a feeling that while the person may be better, it would be a great cause for concern. Several, if not all, religious orders do mental health screening with psychological tests before admitting a person to formation.

Depression is one thing because not everyone with depression is suicidal (I know because I had it and was never close to suicide). It really depends on the person and the order.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Hello everyone,
I know that a suicide attempt can bar a man from the priesthood, but is that true of women trying to enter religious life too?

Thank you!

Attempting suicide does not bar one from Holy Orders, it just makes one “irregular” according to Canon 1041. That means such a man would need a dispensation from his bishop or religious superior before he could be ordained.

 

[littletherese3]

I know that homosexual men are not allowed to become Priests (I think), but are homosexual women allowed to become religious sisters?

(I’m not homosexual- just wondering)

-littletherese3

 

[turtle18]

Most religious orders do not like to take women who have any history of depresssion or have ever been on anti-depressants. There are some exceptions but they are few and far between. But I would think that since they are so strict with the depression thing, a suicide attempt would definitely be an obstacle they wouldn’t be willing to overlook.

But it also depends on the order. If you want a traditional, habited order, they are way more strict and selective about who they will let in. I want to go to an order with a habit myself, but I have to say our non-habited sisters seem to exercise more compassion and understanding about people’s backgrounds-maybe because they are in the world more or they work more in social services. Who knows.

In any case, good luck. There can be all sorts of bars to the priesthood/religious life. I think if a man has paritcipated in an abortion, he cannot become a priest unless he receives permission from the Vatican. For women who are lesbians, they are not supposed to enter religious life but some orders do make exceptions. If you think about it, with women it is all emotional—so I often wonder, how do female religious view their vow of chastity vs men viewing their vow of chastity? (That might be a discussion for a different thread.)

 

[Cluny]

If you think about it, with women it is all emotional—so I often wonder, how do female religious view their vow of chastity vs men viewing their vow of chastity? (That might be a discussion for a different thread.)

Obviously, you know very little about male or female sexuality.

I actually know several gay men who are far more “homoemotional” than genital.

I also know lesbians who are hardly just emotional (to put it sweetly).

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

Most religious orders do not like to take women who have any history of depresssion or have ever been on anti-depressants. There are some exceptions but they are few and far between. But I would think that since they are so strict with the depression thing, a suicide attempt would definitely be an obstacle they wouldn’t be willing to overlook.

There are those who are willing to make exceptions. As someone who has a history of depression, it depends on many factors. Most ask you what caused your depression. For me, it was dealing with death early on in life. It was very difficult for me to come to grips with my own mortality. But, I have since realized that it doesn’t matter how long I live, but how I live that matters.

I was in discernment with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in the Northern Province very recently, and they were very open to the idea of allowing me as a candidate. I’ve also discerned informally with the Carmelite Nuns of Arlington, TX and the Carmelite Nuns of Savannah, GA, and both know my history. Neither said that I was barred from entering purely because of my history. The Savannah Carmelites were even willing to let me enter with medication.

Also, those who focus mostly on healthcare like the Little Sisters of the Poor or the Religious Sisters of Mercy know more about mental disorders than those who don’t do healthcare. The RSMs have actually been open to discerning with those who have depression history. Again, it all depends on the order and the circumstances behind what happened.