The Vatican is considering allowing priests to Marry? Is this a good thing? What about women priests?

Question

I think it's human nature to have sexual urges, even if you don't want to. They should modernise (go back to the oldest version of the church where the 1st pope was married). They should really make women equal too, and let them be popes, bishops, prists, etc...

Thoughts?

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Answer 1

I haven't heard of anything new.

+ Celibate Priests +

The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 A.D. There were many married priests, bishops, and popes before this time.

First, Judeo-Christian tradition has always held that single people be celibate. This is taught by Judaism and Christianity from before the Scriptures were written down.

The question should be: Why can't priests marry?

This idea of a celibate clergy came from the Jews, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

The Jews. The Talmud argues that a person whose “soul is bound up with the Torah and is constantly occupied with it” may remain celibate (Maimonides, Laws of Marriage 15.3). For example, Yahweh ordered the prophet Jeremiah not to marry (Jeremiah 16:1-4). Moreover, the Essenes was a group that was active in Jesus’ time that practiced celibacy and thought by most scholars to be the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.

John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.

The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).

The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.

With love in Christ.

+ Women +

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.

The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3.htm#1577

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Although on the surface I don't see a problem it raises other issues. It is natural to put your family first, a priest can not do this, the church must come first. Should he have any children they can not be treated differently than the other children in the parish. This would be impossible. A priest is supposed to treat individuals equally, having the natural attachment to his own family would complicate that.
I can't say really if i like it or not. I don't think the world would fall apart. I find, however, that most women who demand equality in the church--to be priests, bishops,...usually don't want to be these things themselves. They are only trying to start a fight or argument. I personally don't care to have that right.

To the person who doesn't like catholics, above, I am not sure that you even know that much about them. A catholic who understands their religion can prove their points as well as anyone else. You don't agree with them and that is fine but much of what is said to be non biblical is in fact from the bible. There are different ways to interpret things.

Priests do not have hoards of cash. The money donated to the church does not go into the pockets of the priests. (not in modern society) They are allowed to live a regular life, not in as excess of luxery. (most not in luxery) They have a car to get around--really helps in smaller places) A wife who was left behind would not have loads of $$.

Answer 3

Great proposal - the celibate priesthood was once introduced in as a price saving degree for the period of the center a long time - earlier than that monks had been allowed to marry. During the time of the Borgia Popes an illegitimate son succeeded his father as pope so you'll inform simply how good the clergy embraced celibacy. I continually feel it reasonably unusual that celibate unmarried monks in attire think themselves certified to suggest individuals on relationships. A celibate priesthood has just a theoretical advantage of marraige and procreation.

Answer 4

I've never understood why priests weren't allowed to marry; after all, some of God's holiest people had romantic relations (if you don't believe me, look up king solomon). Giving women equality, well, I'm not going to touch that question with a 40 foot pole, I just want to say that women's equality is a very secular notion, and I'm not sure how equal women were in early christianity/judaism. *puts down the 42 foot pole and runs away*

Answer 5

First of all, there is no scriptural ban on marriage for priests. In Paul's letter to Timothy he simply states that a deacon or bishop should only have one wife and be a good head of his household.

Historical records show, without a doubt that there were married priests all the way to the 11th Century, when the Catholic Church convened two separate lateran councils on the subject.

Quite frankly, I think the celibate priesthood has turned out to be a terrible idea for the Catholics. While it does indeed allow a priest to preside over his parish without the distraction of a family, it also means there are far fewer priests shouldering unbearable work loads. As an Episcopalian, our parish of 600 families has 3 priests, all of whom are accessible for one-on-one consultation, religious instruction, etc. Meanwhile, having married into a devout Catholic family, I know that their priest presides over an enormous congregation, and only has time to marry, baptize, and bury.

Another factor is the lack of reference a celibate priest has in dealing with the real-world problems of his flock. How can a priest provide good advice on marriage and children when his knowledge is only theoretical. Our priests all have families of their own, so they fully understand the spiritual challenges one must face as both a spouse and as a parent. The advice they provide is grounded in the real world as a result.

And, of course, a non-celibate priesthood means that it's less likely that priests will channel their strong sexual urges into secretive, deviant releases.

Finally, there is scriptural evidence that the early church had women as priests. While everybody loves to quote Paul's warnings about women as teachers, they gloss over Paul's recommendation of Pheobe as deaconess to superintend the church in the city of Rome--a very important appointment. Further, Paul mentions plenty of other women in positions of authority in the Church, endorsing the excellent work they have done.

So I would submit that Paul (Who wrote his letters to deal with very specific problems in very specific congregations) was, at the least, inconsistent on the subject of women priests, and certainly did not condemn them outright. In my Episcopal church, we have had women priests before and have not had the least bit of problem with it. The ceiling didn't cave in, lightning did not strike the steeple, and the congregation continues to grow and thrive.

Answer 6

this is a beginning to look at it for those that were already married or left to marry. there is a big difference. even in the orthodoxy you have to be married PRIOR to priesthood and then can not elevate higher in the roles.

i think it will be interesting to listen as this goes along. as a female who's friends with and spent lots of time in the rectory helping in the offices -- i don't see how it would be a good marriage. a priest has to spend their time 24/7 being available to their congregation. they are called out in the middle of the night, breakfats, dinner -- you name it. they are under tremdous stress and i can't see how a marriage and then children will be a help. you have to give 100% to God in the priesthood and i think the relationships will suffer.

Answer 7

That's what is so great about the Catholic church! It changes all the time to fit needs and eliminate the need to actually sacrifice something for Gods sake!!! I think it is pretty unreasonable to assume that anybody can be celibate for their life. The Bible never said sex is a sin- only if you aren't married-

Isn't this woman moving up in the Catholic church a lesbian? Trying to promote gay marriage? I am not sure- just someone at work rtold me this.

Answer 8

The Vatican stressed the meeting would not open a general discussion of the celibacy requirement but would only examine requests for dispensation made by priests wishing to marry and requests for readmission made by clergy who had married in recent years.

Answer 9

I am very confused - the Pope and the Roman Ctholic Church already allow priests to be married.

In fact, our church had one until very recently, when he was arrested and jailed fo being a wife-beating, child-abusing drunk. (Father Bill, St. Virgil R.C. Church)

Answer 10

Priests were forbidden to marry after their spouses kept taking the property when the priest would die. The practice of celebacy was born from greed and nothing more.