Of course, some Catholic priests are already married. Anglican priests who convert to Catholicism while married are almost routinely accepted by Rome for re-ordination as Catholic priests.
They are not alone. Priests in Eastern Rite Catholic churches may also marry prior to ordination. Roughly half of the Catholic priests of the Maronite church of Lebanon elect to marry.
Eastern Rite Catholics like the Maronites and Melkites are following rules that would be familiar to any Greek Orthodox Christian. Priests may marry prior to ordination, but not after. If their spouse should die, they may not remarry. Furthermore, bishops are chosen from the ranks of celibate clergy.
However, the vast majority of Roman Catholics follow the Western or Latin Rite. These Western Rite Catholics have not been served by married clergy -- except for Anglican converts -- for a very long time.
2007-12-02 14:30:47 · 14 answers · asked by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are correct and Peter P you are an idiot
2007-12-02 14:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by Angel Eyes 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
yes I'm aware of that because I'm catholic as well.
i think many non-catholic misunderstand it to be a doctrine rather than the Church's requirement for those seeking the priesthood. frankly i think it says a lot for males that so many willingly sacrifice their human desire of having a partner and family to answer God's call to serve Him in the Catholic priesthood.
as every one knows celibacy isnt the easiest of choices yet many men and women do so joyfully for the love of God.
the question that shud be asked by non-catholics is why would a male who felt called to the priesthood choose the Roman Catholic Church to answer that call instead of converting to protestantism therefore have the choice to be celibate or not.
as a catholic born and raised i love the fact that our priests do not have these worldly concerns that come with having a family. However a married catholic priest is not differentiated from a celibate priest. Catholics respect the priesthood not because a priest is celibate but because God instituted the priesthood.
2007-12-03 05:50:51 · answer #2 · answered by Orita 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have in our area, a Coptic priest as pastor in a parish and he is allowed to marry - this is an eastern rite. I have noticed in the Orthodox Church where the priest is married, he seems to have more understanding and integration into the community he serves - by his being married and having children. He has a better understanding of married life, children, the joys and sorrows, worries and ups and downs of family life. While the priest is the Shepherd, he is still one of the Sheep and humble. Of course a married priest needs to discern prior to marriage a woman for his wife who will understand and share his faith, have a good healthy understanding of his ministry and that he could be called away at various times in his work for God and souls. Doctors, lawyers, police, coroners all need wives too that understand their work because they also could be called away at any moment to serve the people. In terms of saving souls, every little bit helps; God is not marking papers as to how many were saved, but the sincere effort we put into it and our commitment to Him!
2007-12-02 23:48:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know this because a former Episcopal priest from my parish left the church because he did not like the changes in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. He became a Roman Catholic priest. He's married and has four kids.
2007-12-02 22:37:18 · answer #4 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, i personally know an Anglican Use RC priest and Ukrainian Catholic married priests who are publically ministering with the Pope's blessing!
2007-12-03 19:50:29 · answer #5 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And yet the Bible insists bishops must be married. It is a qualification to be one.
1Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
pbb1001 - read the verses. It says a bishop must be the husband of one wife (hence he must be married). In addition his children must be well behaved. If a bishop cannot rule his own house how can he take care of the church of God? Bishops in the catholic church do not fit the requirements set forth by God to hold the office.
2007-12-02 22:37:03 · answer #6 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Thus the reason I seek my ordination in the Orthodox Anglican tradition. It's all the Catholicism without those pesky rules of obsessive compulsive popes.
2007-12-02 22:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by jntlmnjm 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
yea i knew that deb-in the beginning most were married also that change came about later----just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the night
2007-12-02 22:36:57 · answer #8 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I thought this was common knowledge. I guess some people are not well read and did not know it
2007-12-02 22:47:11 · answer #9 · answered by Sara M 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most Atheists know that. Most protestants choose to ignore that.
2007-12-02 22:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Thanks for pointing this out. Peter P, you are an idiot.
Edge, learn to READ, will you? How can God require ANYONE to get married, no matter in what capacity he/she intends to serve? STUPID.
2007-12-02 22:45:15 · answer #11 · answered by pbb1001 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋