Wow. That’s a lot of restrictions. If not dispensed, it really cripples a man’s ability to serve the Church outside of personal prayer and Mass attendance.
This is why discernment is very important.
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This is why discernment is very important.
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adgloriam
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The priests I have met had an extraordinary gift, their vocation was of divine calling.
Priests have a minimum 5 years in university. And several years as deacons before full ordination and final vows.
Unlike what the OP suggests, priests are very aware of what being laicized entails.
@porthos11
The restrictions in the document included -like canon law in general- have a complicate context (applying over the cultural diversity of all countries in the world) that the OP oversimplifies and are simply too broad to be explained, or for the average citizen to even imagine.
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commenter
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Keep in mind many ex priests ignore these restrictions. They serve as “priests” in breakaway groups of many different kinds, sometimes even describing themselves serving now as RC priests. Others serve in theology in colleges that claim to be Catholic, but ignore the Magisterium.
There was part of a whole generation trained, or else re trained, from the 1960s to the 1990s. This group tended to skeptical of the magisterium, but not skeptical of the media or secular trends. When they left the priesthood they didn’t feel bound by the hierarchy’s restrictions.
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tafan2
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Its not unknown for bishops to ignore these restrictions, or perhaps that is within their authority. I knew of a former priest who served as the head of Catholic schools in a diocese.
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commenter
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Not everything that is within the bishop’s authority is prudent.
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commenter
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When I was in 8th grade (1962-63) other boys were being recruited for the diocesan seminary, a boarding school, for 9th grade. 13 year olds were starting towards a commitment to celibacy, when they hardly had any idea what sex was about. They had almost no contact with females at the seminary, only saw families on weekend and vacations. Then the Church changed drastically, at least externals and procedures. Many of their teachers and spiritual directors left. They were ordained to a priesthood far more difficult than they expected, with contradictory demands by all.
So yes, pray for those who left, usually with far poorer financial prospects than they might have had if they skipped seminary, with whispers in the background, “Joe is an ex priest”.
So yes, pray for those who left, usually with far poorer financial prospects than they might have had if they skipped seminary, with whispers in the background, “Joe is an ex priest”.
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dochawk
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By '78, when I went on the tour, they noticed that they were encouraged to date . . . they also attended a co-ed Catholic high school during the day.
hawk
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Gabika50
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Because, as a priest I am very interested in why my brother priests are leaving, how many, and how (if at all) is it being addressed!
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Gabika50
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True, but we priests are bound by obedience.
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AHapka
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Well, the document does say that the Bishop has the right to dispense with the restrictions. So the local bishop there may have done so.
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Gabika50
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You are welcome- 24 years in the military as a priest it is tough, but rewarding.
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Gabika50
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Correct; the ordinary may have done so. This was the case in a stateside assignment on an Army post where the religious education coordinator was a former priest. I was there for three years and the person worked out very well and was a valuable source of information and advice.
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Gabika50
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So what is the actual figure? Not slanderous at all. Also since this annual book is well over 100$ to purchase, when I get to military bases the one they have is quite outmoded. It is also rather impractical to attempt to count up all the names of people who have actually left as many are merely listed as on leave. The intention is to have and actual figure of who left and why; since this deed is not done for some reason, we can never fully address many of the reasons my fellow priests left except for some that would maintain that they were not holy enough…
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adgloriam
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Did you ever think their reasons are theirs? They might not state the reason, nor care for having their reasons published. The priest retains a right to privacy if leaving the priesthood - perhaps more than ever at that point in time, since they cease functions as public persona. Such reasons are also to be addressed internally foremost, and thus the figure doesn’t entirely pertain to public discussion.
Probably for several reasons, and probably for good reasons. However, the figure isn’t “hidden” it’s simply not specifically compiled. (In smaller countries the figure is public knowledge, for the simple reason there are few priests and every priest is a high profile public figure. Not only that, but every priest leaving the priesthood is guaranteed to get media coverage - something the priests themselves (their families, and the faithful) at that point of their life don’t appreciate, since those leaving the priesthood want privacy during the transition - every detractor in the country having a field day of their fellow man’s life.)
The reason is probably simple: the priest wanted to leave.
And, I assume, their wish is legitimate, thought through, pondered, matured, advised both by peers and superiors. The laity could hardly advise a priest regarding the priesthood. I just don’t see how that figure pertains to the public arena - for the simple fact discussion of the matter in the public arena is indecorous of its personal nature (inevitably tending to objectivation of individuals.)
-On a side note: some time ago I read a few documents a couple of decades old, where parishioners in a small dioceses objectified themselves and their parishes - in a self-study and self-reflection effort. To some extent, I consider those documents and efforts partially fruitless since, during subsequent years, I failed to see any reversal in the trend of falling church attendance. (The origins of the problem laid elsewhere, in the generational gap that didn’t allow for a efficacious transmission of the faith from elders to youngsters, due to the fast pace of society’s changes. - I sometimes think any contemporary parish catechist would need a degree in religious sciences and apologetic.)
And I have to suppose: priests know best. Doesn’t the priesthood in its internal forums openly debate their own issues?
I’m sure its been amply addressed -and is a matter of open reflection and debate- in specialized literature.
God bless.
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otjm
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That tidal wave was not due to rapid changes in the Church; it was due to the fact that there were not only no rapid changes, but no changes in all in the area of “Celibacy or out”. There was a hope that priests would be allowed to marry; a false hope, had the ones hoping done any meaningful research, as in neither the West nor the East had the Church allowed ordained men to marry - with one minor exception; married men who are then ordained, and lose thier wife while children are under age may be allowed to remarry. Kids grown up? Nope.
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adgloriam
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Esteemed @commenter, you sir, are, indeed!: an old chap
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