Married men will always be eligible for the Melchite priesthood, within the boundaries of the Melchite church. What is happening in America is a special permission has been granted to grant Melkite eparchs authority within the boundaries of another bishop’s diocese. Multiple bishops with jurisdiction over one place, allowing Christians to potentially choose which bishops’ discipline he will accept would be very contrary to the ancient Fathers’ way of doing things.
Instead, for the unusual circumstance of the need to preserve the traditions and cultures of a misplaced people, the Patriarch of Rome has extended an invitation to other Patriarchs to have jurisdiction over their own people, even when those people live outside of their jurisdiction. But, as such, it would be highly inappropriate for those Eastern Patriarchs to undermine the discipline of the Roman Patriarch is his jurisdiction; they serve their at the Roman Patriarch’s invitation, just like the Franciscans serve in Jerusalem at the invitation of the Eastern Patriarch (I think that of Damascus?)
My temptation is to say, “Ooh, cool! I can be a priest!” But as a Latin attending Melkite masses, I do not want to be one of those test cases that pushes the boundaries of the amicable relationship between Melkite and Latin.
The Melkite eparch has his own jurisdiction that is not inferior to those of the Latin Church.
Peace between the Latins and the Byzantines in union with Rome doesn’t equal us surrendering our rights as good colonials.
There are overlapping Byzantine and Latin Rite boundaries all over the place in Eastern Europe, and the Byzantines are allowed to ordain married men there, so I don't think overlapping jurisdictions have much to do with it.
The traditions of the Eastern Church should be respected, and a married diocesan priesthood is one of those.
My temptation is to say, “Ooh, cool! I can be a priest!”
To borrow the Lee Corso line: Not so fast, my friend! You would have to do a juridical change of rite, which is actually very difficult and has to be approved by Rome.
Have you ever worked in a parish or has anyone close to you? Glamorous it ain't.
About 20 years ago I had many people "suggesting" that I become a deacon. Mrs. Chandler was a Director of Religious Education and I taught R.E., was a bouncer head usher at a teen mass, and was heavily involved in many, many aspects of parish life. It was not uncommon for us to have Easter breakfast at the rectory. I got a bird's eye view of parish life and it isn't pretty, having to deal with hundreds and hundreds of people, many of them very unpleasant.
I knew that I would never fit in as a deacon because my tolerance for bull was used up. Can you imagine what it is like for a priest?!
BTW, this is not a Catholic-only phenomenon. Ask anyone who has worked at a Christian church or at a synagogue. Then think real hard before you say it would be cool to be a priest.
Now I am an anonymous parishioner and life is much nicer.