Catholics only Please: Do you think that by pushing the envelope?

Question

Like Millingo did in Africa by marrying that they will really do anything about the laws against marriage in the Clergy? I don't. I think it is proof they were not of us to start with..They don't believe that God is in control of the Vatican through the Pope

To Earl D. I requested Catholics only

Answer 1

Look, the Church doesn't get pushed around. The discipline of celebacy in the Latin rite is deeply rooted in Scripture (See 1 Sam 21:5, IS 52:11, Lev 21:6-7, 1 Tim 3:2-4, Mt 19:11-12. 1 Cor 7:1-7 & 1 Cor 7:32-38). It's worked for over a thousand years, there is nothing new that can make it impossible to live with.

Answer 2

Of the two major branches of the Catholic Church, the Latin Rite and the Eastern Rite, one does not allow married men to become priests, while the other does. So in fact there are a great many married Catholic priests. It isn't a matter of doctrinal belief, just church discipline. The Church could change such rules tomorrow if they thought it was in the best interest of the Church and the priesthood. Saint Paul didn't think it was a good idea if it could be avoided. In any case, the Church does have the right to make rules governing its clergy, does it not? Does it have to have a "biblical mandate" in order to make a simple rule of order??

Interesting too that Protestant clergy have one of the highest rates of divorce. Maybe Paul knew what he was talking about. Incidentally, Millingo did not marry. He merely went through the motions of marrying. As an ordained priest he is not eligible for marriage, and his "marriage" is therefore invalid, de facto.

Answer 3

I'm not a catholic, I do have somewhat of an understanding of the religion.

Originally Priests were allowed to marry and somewhere along the line on of the Popes stopped that. This was possibly one of the reasons for breaks with some of the other Orthodox relgions that are distant cousins, who still let Priests marry (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox).

The primary idea by the structure of the Catholic Church is a supreme ruler, the Pope. All rules and Biblical interpretations come from this one source, good, bad or indifferent.

Now, if you look at Protestants, who decentralized and became localized with individual responsiblity for interpretations, their views on things in general are quite diverse. Some, for example, condem not only homosexuals, but whole nations that protect them. Others marry them and accept them fully.

In order to believe in a faith you have to believe like the peers do. Pentacostals, for example, speak in tounges. While it's not quite a demand or requirement, you have to accept it. They also are into adult baptism and that is a requirement.

If you don't play by the rules, good, bad or indifferent, you aren't a true part of the faith. You are some other type of faith.

It took 1,970 years for Cathloics to allow local language to be used in the Liturgy and rituals. If this was 1960 and you were a Catholic you'd be praying and speaking in Latin in the Church each Sunday.

It took about the same amount of time to allow Catholics to eat meat on Friday. That used to be a sin.

Now, how long do you think it's going to take to allow divorce, birth control, women Priests or marriage of Priests.

Remember the term Catholic is Greek for Orthodox or holding stead fastly to traiditions and not changing with the wind.

Orthodox Jews can't eat meat that isn't Kosher (front half of the animal) nor eat meat prepaired in any area or utensil where milk products were also prepaired. It is against their rules to eat a cheese burger and chocolate shake.

Orthodox Muslims are completely robed and women must wear veils and show only eye slits.

There are liberal varieties of both Muslims and Jews, but they are often deemed not true to their faiths.

The cornerstone of faith is you either live with the rules or your find another faith or create another faith with different rules.

I'm sure one day the Catholics may let Priests marry, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it, you'll turn blue and die!

Answer 4

Celibacy is a relatively recent teaching in the history of theology in the RC church. Married Anglican priests have been accepted into the RC priesthood. It was not at all uncommon for priests in the early Church to be married. Today, the average age of a priest is about 71. As the elderly priests die off, it is inevitable that in order to bring young priests into the fold, the Church will have to relax its teaching in this area.

Answer 5

I don't think that instance in particular is going to push the Vatican into anything, but I think you are wrong about it being "proof that they were not of us to start with." Celibacy in the priesthood is a terrible idea with no biblical mandate. I think the Vatican needs to start changing it now.

Answer 6

I think the law of the church won't change, but I thinkthat it was a good idea to let deacons get married in my opinio priest them selfs should not marry