can a catholic priest marry and have children ??

Question

i have a feeling this is one of those things that i should know... sorry guys but i really dont know !!

Answer 1

Not really.

A Catholic priest would have to leave the priesthood to marry and have children.

Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:
+ The practice recommended in the Bible
+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.

+++ Scripture +++

+ In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says, "Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.

+ In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."

Whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

+ Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

In heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

+ Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

Paul acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full time ministers in the Church.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."

Paul recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

See also
1 Timothy 5:9-12
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Revevation 14:4
Isaiah 56:3-7
Jeremiah 16:1-4

+++ Scriptural Examples +++

Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

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.

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

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.

A priest is "married" to the Church. Some people think that a priest who takes his duties seriously cannot take proper care of a wife and family. "A man cannot serve two masters."

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Most of the answers you have received are very bad. The truth is that there are many Catholic priests who are married. Married men in the Eastern Rites are allowed to be ordained as priests, but cannot be ordained bishops. This is because of the tremendous demands that are placed on bishops. They don't have time for families.

The only rite that normally does not allow married priests is the Roman Rite, which is predominant in the U.S. - thus the misunderstanding. There are some married priests in the Roman Rite, but not many. Most of them were once Protestant or Orthodox priests and ministers which converted. And on occasion, the Roman Rite allows a married man to be ordained.

The reason for this discipline (it's not outlawed or a doctrine) is because of the demands put on priests, as they are supposed to be spiritual fathers of the flock they tend. Also, contrary to what another answerer wrote, priests do not make much money. It's not really enough to support a family on.

All this being said, prior to the change in discipline (about 1000 years ago) many if not most priests chose to be celibate.

Answer 3

Yes but he can't stay a catholic priest.

A catholic priest could become an Episcopal priest, marry, and have children.

An Episcopal priest could marry and have children and then become a catholic priest.

Note that children has nothing to do with it. The prohibition is on marriage. I suspect that a catholic priest could have children, confess, repent, and continue to be a catholic priest. After all, pedophiles didn't get defrocked for a first offense.

Answer 4

This is not a wisecrack....
the answer is both NO and YES...how so?
Priests that have always been Roman catholic are not allowed to marry...HOWEVER...if you are an Anglican or Episcopal priest that converts to Catholicism, you may keep your wife, if already married....
sounds more than just a little hypocritical doesn't it? It is, just like fish on friday during Catholic Lent
Why is this not surprising?

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

You know a tree by it's fruit...and the RCC is a bad tree, indeed.

Answer 5

Yes...just not during the time they are priests.

Ie...a priest can leave the priesthood to marry and/or a married man w/children can take the oath of celibacy and become a priest. Both instances have and do occur.

Answer 6

In the Orthodox and Catholic churches priests cannot get married.

There are some married priests in the Catholic Church (i.e. married before ordination). they are Eastern Catholics, and some former Anglicans and Lutherans.

Answer 7

Married men can be ordained (yes, we do have married priests in the Catholic Church), but priests promise not to marry after ordination.

Answer 8

No, priests take a vow of celibacy when they are ordained, however if there is a minister of a different faith who is married and converts to Catholicism, he can become a priest and still remain married.

God bless,
Stanbo

P.S. And the fact that priests don't marry has nothing to do with priests molesting boys. Most child molesters are married heterosexual men.

Answer 9

Sure! As long he quits being a priest. At least in the Catholic church anyway.

Answer 10

The vast, vast majority cannot. They're supposed to be "celibate" (they can't ever have sex). There are a very few Catholic churches where the priest is married and has kids.