And let priests marry? There is a tremendous shortage of men entering the Catholic priesthood. And to be honest with you, I think a lot of the problems with pedophilia would be significantly reduced if they were allowed to.
2007-12-03 06:52:29 · 13 answers · asked by airforcewolf 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The reason there are a shortage of men entering the priesthood is that people in general are afraid of making lifelong commitments. People want to be able to change careers or jobs ever 5 years or so. This is not possible with the priesthood. Once a priest, always a priest.
Second, a pedophile is someone who is attracted to children. There are pedophiles who are teachers, coaches, scout leaders and Protestant ministers, all of whom are allowed to marry. Marriage never "cured" a person of pedophelia.
2007-12-03 10:08:46 · answer #1 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, my answer is no. I have seen so many problems with married clergy in the Protestant community. Family stress, favoritism, internal politics, low pay....the list goes on and on. So just from a pastoral position, I see benefit to a celibate clergy. I know that as a matter of discipline, it is allowed, and I have even known two married Catholic priests. But the one who had children still at home, cited all these reasons in support of the practice of celibacy.
As to your premise that "pedophilia would be reduced," I think that notion is false. First of all, for those who are inclined to it, marriage is no impediment. Many pedophiles are married (or have been). Look at rates for teachers, doctors, police officers, Protestant clergy, etc. The experience of all these populations in terms of percentage is about the same as the Catholic community. Secondly, though the issue gets a lot of press, the VAST majority of the incidents you are hearing about occurred before the 1980's. Improved knowledge of the disorder has helped keep potential abusers out of the priesthood, and has changed how cases that do arise are handled. Remember that the "treatment and move them to another place" was a standard practice in ALL segments of society. Psychology had great hopes of "cure" back then, along with a general societal resistance to discussing the issue.
2007-12-03 15:11:55 · answer #2 · answered by MaH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think it will make a difference. Sure, we may have more priests, but I think pedophilia would remain the same. They would just be married pedophiles instead of single ones. However, I do feel that celebacy should be left up to the priest to decide for himself. There is nothing against marriage in the bible. In fact, God said that it's not good for man to be alone. But then Paul says that if a man can resist marriage so he can work in the ministry, then he should. However, he goes on to say that if he can't because of lustfullness, then he should get married.
2007-12-03 15:03:41 · answer #3 · answered by David 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a monk for 5 years, so I'll weigh in.
No, I don't think priests should marry. And most of the pedophilia problems are 1) same-sex and 2) not the sort of thing marriage would help.
2007-12-03 15:04:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Protestants already made a place for the "men of the cloth" to marry. They all think Catholics should let the nuns and priests, and bishops and pope marry. It just makes more sense to them. They have their system of belief, committment and understanding; it's doubtful it will change in the Catholic church, but they can leave that and go to a protestant one and find a healthy well rounded human life again.
2007-12-03 15:00:05 · answer #5 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be the best thing that ever happened to the priesthood. The apostles were married and many priest after them. Blessed Be
2007-12-03 14:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
Heck, the Bible says that Peter, whom Catholics claim to be the first Pope, was married...are we to believe that current day priests are more righteous than Peter???
(Matthew 8:14 - to be accurate, it says Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. It doesn't explicitly say Peter had a wife but I have yet to find a person that acquired a mother-in-law without acquiring a wife...or would want to!)
2007-12-03 15:01:34 · answer #7 · answered by Antioch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm all for it. I understand the celibate thing, but we see the consequences of that. Besides, behind every good man is a great woman. Spouses hold you up.
2007-12-03 14:59:14 · answer #8 · answered by jdecorse25 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think "we" can do away with anything, but I do believe the Catholic church should do away with celibate priests.
2007-12-03 15:05:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes.
And- I believe that they should be allowed to marry other men. (since it's apparently the desire of a large percentage of Priests)
2007-12-03 14:57:24 · answer #10 · answered by Morey000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋