[old and tired]

If Deacon Cornelius is making a promise to be continent after ordination, then that is entirely of his own initiative - and all the more praiseworthy because of it.

Forgive my ignorance, why is a married man's promise to be continent praiseworthy? I can only see it as a good thing if his wife hates relations, otherwise, I think he's being unfair to her. Of course, I'm not in their marriage, but neither is anyone else, so why announce their decision to the world?

[metmom]

I can only see it as a good thing if his wife hates relations,.....

Considering that she's giving her blessing to his decision, that is the only conclusion one can arrive at.