First off, I am not Catholic.
However, doesn’t this bother anyone, other than me? Doesn’t this shift in policy seem more inspired by the demands of ‘man’ rather than the commandments of ‘God’? What does the Catholic church stand for? What is the next change?
The time for priests to be able to marry is long past due. If this policy is adopted, I think it will also cut way down on the child abuse that has so plagued the various churches and faiths over the past few decades.
Well, that’s what happens when an influential power group of Anglicans stray too far from Orthodoxy and try to drag the church with them, i.e. homosexual priests, gay marriage, female ordination, etc. The faithful head back to Rome where they are welcome.
Welcome home, brother and sister Anglicans!
There already are hundreds of married former Episcoplaian priests in the RC church in the US.
A cousin was married by one, in the Church, and he brought his wife and kids to the reception. Fr. Frank and Sister Sophia even won the Lindy dance contest!
One world religion, now forming up to the left.
” the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church”
Only by the peculiar interpretation of the Catholic theologians.
There has always been a provision to re-unite Priests from other traditions (mainly Orthodox) who accept the authority of Rome but who were in previously existing marriages at the time. Obviously the Church cannot bust-up a family by insisting that he leave the marriage as a result, so they’ve made the best possible accommodation. Such priests cannot remarry once thay have accepted Catholic priesthood.
If ths spouse dies they must remain celebate. So they are really just extending to Anglicans the same deal that they’ve had in place with other sects for a long time.
That being said...the perception of this is going to be very, very difficult for them. It looks so hypocritical on it’s fact that it is going to break open a whole kettle of worms again over the issue of celibacy. The average person is just going to see a Priest with family in tow show up in their parish one day and will not understand the nuances. Endless media coverage will no doubt stoke these flames.
Incorrect. The Pastoral Provision was approved in 1980.