Posted on 02/21/2014 6:25:32 AM PST by Weiss White
Q: What does canon law say about Catholics eloping? I understand the issue from the perspective of the sacramental theology of the Church, but was wondering if canon law had anything to say about it. –David
A: When we speak of “elopement” today, we usually envision a young couple running away in the middle of the night to be married in secret, and without the consent of their parents—usually by a justice of the peace in a civil wedding ceremony. Is it ever possible for a Catholic couple (or a couple including only one Catholic) to marry under such circumstances? There are actually several different components of the question that merit a closer look from a canonical standpoint.
(Excerpt) Read more at canonlawmadeeasy.com ...
“You still don’t understand. An annulment is not a declaration that you’re not married. It’s a declaration that in spite of appearances, you were never married. Why is this of concern to you?”
Never mind, you cant grasp the question. anyway it’s already been answered...
I just read that. There is no requirement that priests must be celibate in that passage. In fact priests in the Bible were married men. Mandatory priestly celibacy was institutionalized by the Catholic Church centuries after Jesus. You’re manufacturing things out of whole cloth. The Lord commands us to be fruitful and multiply. He created Eve because He did not want Adam to be alone. A married priest with a wife and children is no less holy than a single celibate priest.
Certainly not an expert, but I am pretty sure you are incorrect. A civil ceremony for a Catholic is referred to as being performed under “absence of form” and does not require annulment.
If either party now looking to be married in the Church has been previously married in a religious ceremony, that marriage must be examined in order to determine if it is subject to annulment.
It is my understanding that the Church in recent years is doubling down on preparing young people for a planned marriage so that there are not as many down the road looking toward annulment of a Catholic marriage. IOW, they want to lay a strong foundation so that the marriage is on solid ground forever.
Its not an impossible life. It is actually a means for opening gates of grace that would not be possible in a married state. There still are plenty of men willing to give up a family life for the sake of the people they serve.
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Yes, there are. God bless them and keep them. Our priests need our prayers now more than ever.
You’ve obviously narrowed out the scriptural arguments to fit only “requirement” criteria.
You should recognize that the arguments for celibate clergy are not based on arguments of “requirement.” That is why it is based spiritual fruits for fruitfulness in ministry.
Since you are not clergy, why do you even consider this to be important? There is no shortage of those willing to make the sacrifice to be a priest.
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