Posted on 02/28/2019 5:03:18 PM PST by marshmallow
ROME - When the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon rolls around in October, the long-debated possibility of ordaining mature, married men to the priesthood in areas where there are priest shortages will be brought to the table, according to one Brazilian theologian.
Speaking to Crux, Jesuit Father Francisco Taborda, a professor of theology at the Jesuit university in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and an author of numerous books on the sacraments, said one of the primary pastoral challenges in the Amazon region is access to Mass, especially for indigenous populations who often live in rural areas that are difficult to reach.
“The Eucharist is central in the Christian life,” Taborda said, and lamented the fact that many communities in the Amazon only receive the Eucharist at most four times a year, which is “a very big problem.”
“There is a shortage of priests,” he said adding that this can lead “to a re-thinking of how it can be done so that every community…can have the Sunday Eucharist.”
Asked if this “re-thinking” included the ordination of so-called viri probati, meaning mature, married men who are strong in their faith and who would usually be considered as candidates to be ordained deacons, Taborda said “that’s what this is about.”
“In the final analysis, the solution that could be seen is this one,” he said, explaining that the topic will come up in the synod hall.
On the way back from World Youth Day in Panama, Pope Francis voiced openness to the idea, telling journalists that while he believes priestly celibacy “is a gift to the Church” and is “not in agreement” with making this optional, it could be considered a possibility in areas where there is a pastoral need.
(Excerpt) Read more at cruxnow.com ...
I think it’s time for earnest discussion of this policy to begin.
Just what we need! Married pastors play around and do many of the same thing that many unmarried priest have done. If that is true, then what will married priest do?
They should be forced to marry the boys they diddle.
Given the massive number of homosexual priests, all this means is that when marriage is sanctioned by the Vatican, you will have massive numbers of priests "marrying" other men.
People don't believe that? Then they are fools, and not paying attention.
Mark my words. This is what will happen.
Which duty of the church is the more important?
Conducting religious service or ... or ...
what duty does celibacy fulfill again?
At least they play around mostly with adults, who are in a position to refuse sexual advances. That would be a huge improvement over the current situation.
Like Amoris Latitiae, Bergoglio resorts to stealth incrementalism to advance his “mess”.
Did you know that Jesus ( an Essene) was against marriage and not one of his 12 disciples was married. That is a fact. The Essenes actually died out by 70 A.D because they had no children. BTW they were all “healers”.
not one of his 12 disciples was married
;)
I thought Peter was married.
Peter had a mother-in-law, so he was married at some point in his life.
I guess it is still an open question whether or not he was widowed at the time Jesus tapped him.
I believe “rabbi” Jesus was a Pharisee.
The Gospels do not mention a wife, only the mother-in-law. Some non-Biblical ancient texts mention a living wife, sometimes called Petronilla, which is Latin for “Peter’s little woman,” and therefore unlikely to be an actual name of an actual historic person.
In regard to St. Paul, some writers observe that it was almost mandatory for Pharisees to be married, usually by age 20 or so. It is possible that St. Paul had been married long before his experience with Jesus.
Women died a lot in those days. It’s reasonable to assume that St. Peter’s wife and St. Paul’s (hypothetical) wife were dead.
Especially while they were giving birth to children.
Yep, it was bad.
The way Pope Francis is trending, married priests will be permitted - but only gay married ones.
Yes,I agree.
I've always been curious as to why "marriage" would make a male pedophile or ephibophile all of a sudden become "attracted" to adult women.
And want to marry them.
These creatures love little boys.
They clearly don't want females of any stripe.
This is not new.
The Eastern Rites allow for men who are MARRIED FIRST before they enter the seminary to study for the priesthood.
Also the Western or majority Latin has what is called “permanent deacons” who more often then not are MARRIED.
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