Wife of a priest

[Alexander_Roman]

I like your argument up until this point, I dont believe we should take this attitude that it is unbefitting. The master was never married or fathered children, although he was God, but the point remains. There is always the aspect of imitating Christ.

But of course if everyone imitated Christ and didnt marry or have healthy sexual relations with others then the human race would cease to exist so meh!

OK, point well taken.

One could also say that there is only one true Priest Who is Christ Who is God Incarnate. Although celibacy is encouraged in the Scriptures, it is never imposed or made mandatory, but from each according to his strength.

Married people, and women as well are all members of the lay Priesthood of Christ through baptism and confirmation/chrismation. We are a priestly society, the Catholic Church is.

One could also see an imitation of Christ in terms of Christ’s relationship with His Bride which is the Church - the perfect model for marriage!

Also, is not marriage and family life a reflection on the Life of the Most Holy Trinity? Do we not worship a God Who is not a celibate, but Who is Three Persons?

A priestly wife does MUCH more than simply provide a sexual outlet for a priest. I know because I grew up in a married priest’s family. The wife provides a comprehensive support system for the priest in his challenges and ministry. The wife shares in all that too and she is esteemed in the parish for her role.

My grandmother herself considered all this to be a cross, but to arm herself for the job, she prayed for over an hour morning and night, said two Rosaries (including the Chaplet to the Wounds of Jesus at three o’clock daily - which I will never forget), and went to Mass to the local Latin parish nearby when she could still walk by herself.

In her life, she fed prisoners of war, was almost shot dead twice by German and Russian soldiers, and actually stood in front of people meant to be executed by a communist soldier who was already pointing a gun at them, telling him, “These are my friends, if they must die, then I must die with them” (which gave the man pause for reconsideration).

I guess I’m emotional about this subject.

My grandmother had very little confidence in young unmarried priests. When I told her I wanted to be a priest, she told me, “But a married one, Alex - God prevent you from being a celibate, you are too handsome!”

Now, if we want to talk about ugly candidates to a celibate priesthood . . .

Anyway, I think you get my drift as I drift along . . . (like the married couple who bought a water bed and found they were drifting apart . . .)

Alex

 

[ConstantinePX]

Your points are well taken as well, I do believe in married clergy, but I also believe that, God bless them, sometimes young people simply do not know WHAT they are getting into. Being married is a very big responsibility. Being married and a priest? Cataclysmic in comparison.

I believe that MARRIGED CLERGY, e.g, a Man who wants to be a priest that is already married, must be at least 35 years old and to have been married for a few years so he knows that marriage is not just a walk in the park.

The last thing we need is priests, fresh out of Seminary at 25 with families becoming priests and then becoming overwhelmed because they didnt know what they signed up for.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Point and match sir!

Also, many of our married priests marry women from families of married priests. The whole culture of a married priesthood is something that generates more married priestly vocations.

My two female cousins who came from married priestly families decided they wanted to marry (only) priests and they did. They were well prepared (cultural/familial conditioning) for the experience and are “so happy they don’t know how miserable they are” (“Fiddler on the Roof”).

Their husbands likewise come from priestly families and knew exactly what they were getting themselves into. I guess if Pope Benedict changed the law in this regard next week (look for the Vatican press release! ), then that would be different as it would take some generations for this to occur.

My cousin who married a priest continually urged me to become a priest (“Life is short you know, don’t waste it - if you have the calling, go for it and I’ll find you a wife . . .”).

I recently met the wife of an EC priest who was so very pleasant and modest. During our conversation, I realized she was very well read in the Fathers. When she made a little joke (that was very cute really), I had to say, "Now you really are so very wonderful! Her husband came over to see why we were so happy with one another . . .

On my honeymoon, we met a Roman priest who was also on his honeymoon - with the parish secretary whom he married.

We visited some Orthodox monasteries in Greece where he presented himself as a Roman priest to some monastics.

When they saw his wife (which he also introduced), they beamed from ear to ear to say how wonderful that Rome had changed the law on priestly celibacy!

Both of these monastics, living austere lives, came from Orthodox priestly families.

I know there are some who will say that married priests create a “priestly caste.” And that is sheer nonsense.

That priestly vocations are engendered iin priestly families - that is a fact. But none of my uncles or father became priests. Instead, they put lots of pressure on me to become one . . . but that is grist for another thread-mill.

Nice to converse with you sir!

Alex