Women & marriage in the priesthood?

[Rob_s_Wife]

Okay, this is a general question - maybe the orthodox on here can help?

If the apostles were at some point married (before, during, after Jesus left to debate), and some exceptions are made for western catholic priests - then obviously married priests is not as big a problem as some would make it to be??

I would think it would have more to do with accomodations and church dynamics (literally) than theology? A house other than the rectory, salary to support a wife and children, etc… Difficulties raising a family, etc…

My other question/concern would be the female spouse becoming a “priest” stand-in. I know this is almost always the case in protestant churches, the wife of the minister is often taken for granted as the freebie in the “pay 1 minister salary get spouse free”. She is expected and assumed to take on lots of church responsiblities - and it becomes a big burden on the husband if she doesn’t conform to those expectations. I think this is a major reason why women felt they should just be allowed to be ordained in some protestant churches - they got tired of being the “freebie minister.”

Does this seem to be the case in those situations where married priest are allowed? Just wondering exactly how it is worked out on the parish level.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Priestly celibacy is a discipline. The Pope is free to change it if he sees fit. I doubt he will as it would just embolden the malcontents, whiners and dissidents.

Another argument for single priests was made by Our Lord Himself: “No man can serve two masters.”

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

So, when did celebacy become a requirement? Why? Was it do to any of the theories I mentioned? Personally, I’m against marriage/women in the priesthood for just those reasons.

 

[puzzleannie]

Dr. Bombay:

Another argument for single priests was made by Our Lord Himself: “No man can serve two masters.”

I don’t think marriage for priest is what he was referring to, but if he thought about it, he would probably agree with your application. That is, if he knew the wives of the apostles well.