Posted on 05/11/2009 3:36:29 PM PDT by tcg
You have seen him everywhere by now, on television, in the newspaper and all over the internet. That young, handsome, photogenic priest named Fr. Alberto Cutie. One sample morning article from MSN gets right to the heart of the real problem, poor reporting. The headline reads Celebrity priest backs celibacy, but may marry and is then followed by a teaser line right below it in bold type Fla. clergyman known as Father Oprah says he may leave Catholic Church. The claim is not true.
Father Cutie has never said he was going to leave the Catholic Church. He is defending the Catholic Church in interviews. He is also defending the call to consecrated celibacy. In a CBS Early Show interview he made it very clear,We want to do things right, but sometimes we fall short. And I fell short." This fallen priest has taken a leave of absence with the approval of his Bishop. He is considering leaving the priesthood, a process under Canon law which is sometimes the best approach in situations like this. Such a process is undertaken only under pastoral care which Fr. Cutie is receiving.
The real story behind this fall in the life of this celibate priest is the media feeding frenzy. The secular press has used it to attack the countercultural witness of consecrated celibacy in Catholic life.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
The media is just in a snit because he chose a woman.
How many times is this story going to be posted? /rant off
Yes, the media luvs this scandal because it fits with their rampant liberalism and demands to have a married priesthood.
I believe that the Catholic Church should allow its priests to marry. The rule forbidding them to marry is not Biblical. Priestly celibacy is a “doctrine of devils,” according to the Apostle Paul (I Tim. 4:3).
This is an interesting observation because if it were not for the discipline of celibacy he could date and marry this woman and continue his ministry. Hard to understand how celibacy has nothing to do with this.
To the best of my understanding, this priest was a diocesan and thus took no vows. Only Religious priests usually take vows. He made a promise of celibacy and accepted that discipline, but there were no vows.
The situation is best discussed when accurate terms are used.
Good comment, because it proves there are at least a few heterosexual priests under 65. Let's be careful that when we blame the media we are not blaming the messenger and ignoring the message.
It is daunting to consider that priests should have social distractions such as "dating" and responsibilities of raising children in addition their church duties and functions. It is a tremendous sacrifice for priests, but they know what they are getting into with their pledge of fidelity to God and the Church, and celibacy, and this policy has withstood the test of time.
If people think that Episcopalian's have it right, they are free to go to a church that has a married ministry, along with homosexual "reverends," and bishops... There are many within that Protestant church that are now fighting those elements, but it is, as many would agree, a slippery slope once you step off the ledge....
You missed this from the Gospel according to St. Matthew:
For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother’s womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.
Which Cutie himself is a willing participant in.
"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
If you need further edification, let me know.
Incorrect, Once ordained a Priest, either Religious or Diocesan, one is not free to date and marry and remain in the clerical state.
A promise of chastity to a Bishop for a Diocesan Priest is equivalent to a vow of celibacy for a Religious Order Priest, a fact confirmed by Canon Law.
The situation is best discussed when accurate terms are used.
The situation is best discussed when people actually know what they are talking about.
He has also committed a sacrilege has he not?
Concerning leaving the Priesthood, he may, but a marriage would never be be sanctioned buy the Church because it is a Conon Law or is simply morally impossible??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.