If a priest leaves the church then decides he made a mistake, can he come back to be a priest if he kept all his vows? If a priest becomes possessed, leaves the church then goes through and exorcism, is he still allowed to return as a practicing priest?
2007-10-26 03:58:32 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Each case is individual. As a general rule, no coming back.
Priests don't have vows, unless they are religious.
There is nothing sinful in being possessed, nor being tormented by the devil. However, after demonic possession is clearly over, one would need to speak to his local Bishop for permission prior to celebrating in public again. This is an extremely personal matter between the priest and his bishop.
2007-10-27 22:13:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Priests are always priests, even if they are not actively functioning as priests.
If a priest becomes laicized (leaves active ministry) and then decides that was a mistake, his bishop may or may not take him back depending on the circumstances. The bishop might require additional formation/intensive study or whatever.
If a priest goes is possessed, he would go through exorcism RATHER than leave the Church, and then he would more than likely return to some form of active service, although whether or not that would be pastoring a church would be up to the Bishop.
If a priest excommunicates himself from the Church for any reason, then he would not be permitted to return to the priesthood ever. We have a fellow in my town who was a priest and became laicized so that he could marry a woman he had fallen in love with. He became a college professor, but later excommunicated himself by adopting renegade views. Unfortunately, he does not recognize the authority of the Bishop, who pronounced him excommunicated, nor the Vatican, which has upheld the Bishop's understanding. The poor guy causes all sorts of trouble and has even deigned to follow the Bishop up to the altar himself to steal the Eucharist, because he can't accept the fact that he no longer entitled to receive it.
The Bishop hopes this man will return to the Church, but even if he does, he will never be restored to the active priesthood because he is too unreliable.
2007-10-26 11:22:37 · answer #2 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A priest is a priest forever. No matter what he does in life he is still a priest. Ordination is like baptism. A person cannot be "unbaptized", and a priest cannot be "unordained". A local bishop can suspend a priest's right to minister the sacraments in a particular diocese for a very serious reason. But he is still a priest.
2007-10-26 11:29:22 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the ordination of a priest leaves an indelible mark on the soul just like baptism and Confirmation so they are a priest forever ---either to their shame or their glory but, if they leave the priesthood they are forbidden to say Mass and I think the only thing they can do is in an emergency (natural disaster or something) hear a confession. I think the Pope may be able to turn it around if he chose to do so.
2007-10-26 11:11:22 · answer #4 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a priest in you local area.....most i can say to those questions is.......i don't know....maybe
2007-10-26 11:07:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you need a priest at all?Ever read the book of Hebrews?
2007-10-26 11:02:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Once you give your vowels you are always a preist, but if you leave then you just cannot say Mass.
2007-10-26 11:02:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if he does not pay the church for the exorcism on time, he will be repossessed.
2007-10-26 11:05:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i don't think vowels have anything to do with it, vanna.
2007-10-26 11:03:47 · answer #9 · answered by eelai000 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋