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To: trad_anglican
A change from what to what?

For any church to claim to represent God on Earth, to claim that they teach God's word - one would have to assume that God has spoken, and the church is teaching his word through the generations. Now, for centuries the Catholic church has held that Priests ought not to be married, to be free from non-theologian 'distractions' such they may focus their lives entirely upon the divine. While I do not personally agree with this stance, I understand and appreciate the dedication to this stance.

Now, after many centuries; this stance has been abandoned - without any fanfare. What is next? Will the Catholic church welcome practicing Gay Priests? With the Catholic churcn marry gay couples?

This isn't the first church to suddenly change principles that have stood for a long period of time. Yes, I am a traditionalist, in that unless someone in a leadership position in the church is willing to stand up and say "God spoke to me, and he told me that it is HIS will that this be done". Anything else, is just a change based upon the wants of 'man'. The church is supposed to represent the will of 'God'; not the wants of 'man'.

13 posted on 10/20/2009 8:14:17 AM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Hodar
Now, for centuries the Catholic church has held that Priests ought not to be married, to be free from non-theologian 'distractions' such they may focus their lives entirely upon the divine

You are wrong and you have mis-read this pronouncement. Eastern (Byzantine) Rite priests have always been free to marry as long as they take their wives before ordination. They cannot remarry if their spuse dies. The same has been true about Episcopalian preists for at least 15 years -- maybe longer. They can bring their wives with them and still hold the office of priest. No remarriage if the wife dies and no marriage at all after ordination. There are former Episcopal priests serving as Catholic Priest in parishes all over America.

Let's not worry about this 'change' because it is not really a change. Just an expansion as a previous poster stated.

23 posted on 10/20/2009 8:20:20 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Hodar
Now, for centuries the Catholic church has held that Priests ought not to be married,

21 of the 22 Churches sui juris which comprise the Catholic Church, ordain, as a norm married men. Those Churches are in the Eastern Rites. The Latin Rite does not, as a norm, ordain married men.

While I do not personally agree with this stance, I understand and appreciate the dedication to this stance.

Then you disagree with Saint Paul:

"But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided." 1 Corinthians 7:32-33

Now, after many centuries; this stance has been abandoned - without any fanfare.

Incorrect.

Will the Catholic church welcome practicing Gay Priests?

"Advancement to religious vows and ordination should be barred to those who are afflicted with evil tendencies to homosexuality or pederasty, since for them the common life and the priestly ministry would constitute serious dangers."
In the audience graciously granted on 23 January, 1961, to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious, our Holy Father, Pope John XXIII, deigned to approve this Instruction and ordered that it be communicated to superiors of institutes of evangelical perfection.

Rome, the 2nd day of February, feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year 1961.

Perhaps you should do some actual research before you attempt to opine authoritatively on a topic you have little knowledge of.

46 posted on 10/20/2009 9:28:10 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham (Barry Soetoro is a Kenyan communist)
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