I was just wondering how many people out there think that catholic priests should be allowed to get married I know that if a vicar decides to change from CofE to catholic and they are already married they can be priest ... seems so unfair
2007-01-16 21:50:35 · 15 answers · asked by carol p 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to voodooblu married vicars have been allowed to be priest since 2004 and yes i am catholic
2007-01-16 22:31:38 · update #1
It amuses me to see how many people believe that marriage is 100% about sex!
Anyway, Ordination and Matrimony are both Sacraments as well as Vocations. Although it is possible to live out two (or more) Vocations, it's very difficult, always stressful...and usually not very successful.
Both the Vocation of Matrimony and the Priesthood are intense and very often take 100% of ones time and effort to be fruitful and successful.
A good example is my situation...right now. I'm married with kids. I need to be at work right now but my wife is sick. So I'm gonna be two hours late for work because I have to do the school car pool...and three other Catholic families are depending on me being there. Meanwhile, if I were also a Priest, I'd have to do the Daily Mass which occurs during the middle of the car pool...and dozens of fellow Catholics are depending on me for that! Then, there's a funeral to be done one hour later...which I'd probably be late for...etc., etc. One person can only take on so much responsibility.
So traditionally, we are asked to choose one or the other.
Similarly, it's possible to be a successful brain surgeon and trial lawyer...but it's highly improbable. Most people would choose one or the other in the hope of being better at one.
Priests know this when they sign up, just like I know Ordination was out of the question for me when I got married. That's not unfair. I made the choice...nobody made it for me.
As you've pointed out, there are exceptions to the rules of Ordination, and that's fine. My Parish had a married ex-Episcopalian Priest for a couple of years and it seemed to work out pretty well. But he decided to retire at age 65 because of family demands. This is fine, too...although it's fairly unusual for a Priest to retire that early, and for such a reason.
2007-01-16 22:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's hard for me to judge the Catholic religion as I've never been a member. As they seem to be clinging to this concept of celibacy, there must be some reason that it is desirable. And I KNOW that celibacy was a new concept back in the middle ages that enabled the church to hold onto inherited wealth, but that no longer seems to be an issue. Modern wills have put an end to that. Perhaps a Catholic will be willing to enlighten us. They would be the most qualified to explain it.
This is a choice that many catholics (of both sexes) make. They must feel a reason. Unlike many, I don't see it as "wrong" because no one is forced to make this decision. There are many ways to serve the church without becoming a priest or nun.
2007-01-17 05:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many of us stereotype the lifestyle of a priest. There are clarifications about them.
1) Catholic have taken the old tradition meaning of priest from Old Testimony. Like the Jews, Catholic thought their religion need a holy priest. Everything was retricted for the ceremony and understanding of sin.
2) There is no way for human to be a 100% holy. We all are born with sin. No ritual or ceremony can fully clean their sin.
3) Jesus Christ substitute the role pf priest. That's the reason after Christ we don't need to follow the ritual of priesthood as the Old Testimony did.
4) That's the reason there is no priest in Christianism. But, pastor to teach and deliver God's word in their ministries.
5) People that made themselves priest are human of same nature of you and I, why they cannot marry and have a wonderful life of love with his wife?
6) Exposing as a priest role model, will you really follow his role model? Why don't you be a priest ?
2007-01-17 06:12:23 · answer #3 · answered by xsquash 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Catholic Priest cannot be married. If they are a CofE vicar and they are married, they cannot become a priest. Thems the rules!
2007-01-17 05:53:18 · answer #4 · answered by voodoobluesman 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in Heaven".
These are the words of Christ.About 800 yrs ago priests were allowed to marry (St Peter was married), but it was noted that priests were marrying for personal gain.The Church then decided that celibacy was the answer, to cut a long story short.
2007-01-17 06:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is all down to the church being greedy they dont want the priests estate going to anyone else other than the church when the priest choughs it.
when the Cof E was formed the big selling point to draw away the priests was the fact that they could marry and have kids.
2007-01-17 07:22:16 · answer #6 · answered by reevesy314 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I didn't know that, that is unfair! And very wrong ... I think Catholic priests should be allowed to be married, I think gays should be allowed to be married too.
2007-01-17 05:53:54 · answer #7 · answered by Orla C 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
No one is forcing anyone to embrace celibacy or entering a monastery.
It's a free choice and it's supported and encouraged by Jesus and St Paul and the Church.
2007-01-17 06:03:00 · answer #8 · answered by carl 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't see why not.
2007-01-17 05:58:16 · answer #9 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only reason why marriage for priests is not allowed is because when a priest dies he leaves his possessions to the church rather than his family.so yes they should once again be allowed to merry.
2007-01-17 05:56:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋