Posted on 03/01/2014 4:51:07 AM PST by Gamecock
Although a married presbyteriate and diaconate are allowed in Eastern Churches, the episcopate must all be celibate. (The following is the part that I want to get verified by NYer) To my understanding, the reason for this is that taking monastic vows, including celibacy, is a requirement for being elected to the episcopate.
You are absolutely correct. It is also my understanding that married priests (in the Maronite Church), serve in an auxiliary capacity. Here in the US, the Maronite Church, like the Latin Church, suffers from a shortage of priests. To resolve this problem, the bishops have an agreement with a monastic community of missionaries in Lebanon whereby they solicit volunteers from their community to serve for a 10 year term in the US or other country. All of these priests are celibate.
The situation at St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral is also quite unique. The newly ordained priest is Lebanese (hence, he grew up in a culture where married priests serve), he previously (to his marriage) attended Holy Spirit University in Lebanon and Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington DC. He and his wife have been married for 10 years and he has served at the Cathedral in the capacity of a deacon. This is a very large parish and probably places a great strain on one priest. Essentially, all of the elements normally applied in the Maronite tradition for a deacon to be ordained, were present in this particular situation. Perhaps that is why Pope Francis approved it, without lifting the rule for celibate priests.
Keep in mind that regardless of which Eastern Church, the sequence of vows is followed. Hence, a married man ordained a priest, must place his marriage vow first. For that reason, a celibate priest serves in the position of pastor. That is my understanding. Hope this clarifies the matter.
“Catholics are always hypocritically accusing non-Catholics of having a profusion of differing theologies and denominations, when the Catholic Church is no different.”
This isn’t about theology. Also, we have no denominations. We have Churches. There’s a difference.
all of the people of different “theologies and denominations” within the Catholic Church can pray together and take communion together and profess a common creed together. I don’t think all the Protestant denominations do that.
This?
http://history.hanover.edu/texts/trent/ct24.html
CANON X. -If any one saith, that the marriage state is to be placed above the state of virginity, or of celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony; let him be anathema.
I don't know of any Evangelical churches that restrict partaking of communion to members only.
I don’t know of any Evangelical churches that restrict partaking of communion to members only.
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod endorses closed communion.
Ok. And the rest of the “30,000”?
Is that Evangelical anyway?
Nevertheless, non-Catholics are free to celebrate communion in other churches.
The implication and contention that it is unique to Catholicism and an indicator of the superiority of the Catholic faith in its alleged unity, is disingenuous.
CANON X. -If any one saith, that the marriage state is to be placed above the state of virginity, or of celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony; let him be anathema.
I don't understand what your point is.
Both Jesus and St. Paul commend celibacy, and would be in agreement with this canon, wouldn't they?
So... What are you trying to say about the topic of the thread?
Bishops have always been celibate, in all Catholic Rites, AFAIK. Both celibate men, and men married prior to ordination, have been admitted to the priesthood to varying degrees, in all Rites, since the earliest times.
There are even some married priests in the Latin ("Roman") Rite today. Most are Anglican priests who converted.
I was merely responding to your “I don’t know of any Evangelical churches that restrict partaking of communion to members only.” LCMS restricts partaking of communion. Whether other Evangelical churches restrict communion, I do not know.
I believe Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is evangelical.
I agree that shared communion is not unique to Catholicism. What is unique is the full union among the 22 Catholic Churches under the authority of the Pope. This is different from the independent authority that individual bodies within the Lutheran church, or the Methodist church, or other churches have.
I do not see this as any kind of superiority, however. It’s just the way that different churches have decided best works for them.
They’ve always been able to be married and become a Maronite priest. Nothing to see here, move along.
The novelty is that this gentleman was ordained and will serve in the United States, rather than in Lebanon.
But he’s no different than other married priest from another faith that becomes Catholic. Their wife comes with them.
It has always been that way. If she dies he can not get married again.
Correct.
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