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To: NYer
It's not really fair . . . my daughter's taking NT Bible this year, and I was helping her study Acts earlier this week - and St. Peter's mother-in-law figures prominently.


26 posted on 02/10/2006 4:38:12 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother; sinkspur; Kolokotronis
It's not really fair . . . my daughter's taking NT Bible this year, and I was helping her study Acts earlier this week - and St. Peter's mother-in-law figures prominently.

As a cradle Roman Catholic, I never paid this topic any heed until I joined this forum and met Orthodox with married priests. Only last week did the light bulb turn on. Peter was married before he was called into service by our Lord. He was one of the original disciples and his first vow was to his wife. He kept it until his death.

It was an "ahaa" moment. The Eastern practice of allowing married men to become priests suddenly made sense, as did the Latin practice of following Paul's admonition, after receiving the Word from our Lord.

A vow is a vow. Once broken, there is no reconciling the differences. The Episcopal priest in this article, never took a vow of celibacy. He began with a marriage vow. Now that he has been ordained a Catholic priest, his vow of celibacy kicks in, if and when his wife dies. It all makes perfect sense. A priest is married to his bride, the Church. His children are the parishioners who look up to him for guidance and counsel. My pastor, God bless this holy man, is a celibate Maronite priest who gives his all to the parish and community at large. He has sacrificed a wife and children to care for us. And care, he does, with heart and soul, enflamed with love for our Lord.

36 posted on 02/10/2006 5:05:31 PM PST by NYer (Discover the beauty of the Eastern Catholic Churches - freepmail me for more information.)
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