Married Priests?

Last updated on: November 15, 2006 at 3:14 am by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Married Priests? 2006-11-15T03:14:00-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Tomorrow there will be a Vatican meeting to discuss mandatory celibacy after the renegade Archbishop Milingo ‘ordained’ four married men. Pope Benedict has called a meeting to discuss the implications of Milingo’s actions. I expect Rome will take a hard line and continue to insist on mandatory clerical celibacy. To do anything else would look like they were actually taking Milingo and his band of activists seriously wouldn’t it?

On the other hand, could the Pope actually be considering a change in the rules? As I am a married man–about to be ordained and celebrate my first Mass exactly one month from today–I’m not a little interested in the question. There are already over 200 married former Anglican priests who are now Catholic priests. The Eastern rite Catholic churches have married priests. It’s possible. If Rome were to change the rules what are the options?

1. Maybe Rome will allow ‘viri probati’ to be ordained. ‘viri probati’ are respectable, older married men. Probably not. This option was rejected by a synod of bishops in 2005.

2. The Church will allow priests to apply for a dispensation from their vow of celibacy to marry. This is very unlikely.

3. Perhaps Rome will allow dispensations from the vow of celibacy by priests who left to get married. As far as I understand, this would be possible as long as each individual case were examined, the priest was laicized properly and there was no scandal associated with his marriage.

4. Married deacons may be dispensed from the vow of celibacy to be ordained as priests. This could happen, but it would undermine the already existing ministry of the permanent deacons and the whole concept of the permanent diaconate would have to be re-examined. Furthermore, permanent deacons have not been trained for priestly ministry–many would need to be re-trained.

The whole question of mandatory celibacy is worth studying. Donald Cozzens’ new book tries hard to be balanced, but can’t help pushing an agenda. At the other end of the argument is Cochini’s book Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy. A good summary of this line of argument is Fr Ray Ryland’s (himself a married former Episcopal priest) recent article in Crisis magazine.

Cochini’s book makes a strong case for celibate priesthood being the norm far earlier than the twelfth century. On the other hand, Cozzens shows that not only priests, but numerous bishops and popes were not only married, but were actually canonized by the church.

At the end of the day several things have to be kept in mind. First, there are Scriptral arguments and ancient traditions on both sides. Second, neither side of the argument over mandatory celibacy must push to raise this issue from a discipline to a doctrine. Thirdly, if this is the case, Holy Mother Church has the authority to change the discipline as the Spirit leads.

Conservatives have to remember that things can change and do change. The Spirit does continue to lead the Church into the fullness of Truth. The life of faith is full of surprises. We have to be prepared to accept change and be open to the Holy Spirit’s lead. On the other hand, those who wish for change should remember that change that simply follows fashion is empty and vain. Who marries the spirit of the age will soon be a widow.

As for me…I face my own imminent ordination to the Catholic priesthood with fear and trembling. I am unworthy and ask, if you are reading this note, to pray for me.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 14, 2006

The Anglican Right

Next Post

November 16, 2006 Druid to Meet Pope

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz