In the bible it tells us that people have different gifts, different callings...You have any scripture that tells us only single, celibate men are called to the ministry??? So your religion can reject a person who has been called by God to the ministry??? It's not your religion that hands out the gifts...
Great point! Interesting how Catholics always shift the focus just enough to attempt to divert us from what scripture says concerning a subject.
No. Not that's not what we believe, that "only single, celibate men are called to the ministry." That is not the teaching of the Church.
Just looking at today's church bulletin from my parish. The ministries listed on the front page: two celibate priests, three married deacons, nine people on the parish staff in paid pastoral associate or ministries positions. Of those, two are single and seven are married.
It's obviously not true that there's some Catholic dogma that "only single celibate men are called to the ministry."
"So your religion can reject a person who has been called by God to the ministry??? It's not your religion that hands out the gifts.."
This is silly stuff, Iscool. Is your church obliged to hire any and every applicant for Pastor? Your church has no authority to reject somebody who wants to be Choir Director? You can't turn anybody away who feels called to be an Elder or Deacon or whatever you've got?
In our church, a vocation (from God) has to be "discerned" by the Church. It has to be that way. Otherwise, you couldn't exclude a gay guy who claims "a calling from God" for Youth Ministry ---now could you?
Of course ecclesial vocations have to be approved by the Church.