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To: don-o

The Pope has also recently signaled the Church’s policy of mandatory clerical celibacy is not a dogma or a doctrine and is always subject to change. I hope this happens. I see no reason why Holy Matrimony should be denied to those seeking vocations in the priesthood. There is NOTHING in the Bible requiring such a policy.


3 posted on 05/06/2015 7:04:58 AM PDT by Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

There are already Orthodox Churches in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church that allow married priests. The Roman (Latin) Church only instituted celibacy in the 11th Century , but it may have been as early as the Pontificate of St. Leo the Great in the Fifth Century.

Regardless, It is something I think unlikely to change soon. If it does they may find more problems than solutions.


4 posted on 05/06/2015 7:21:26 AM PDT by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
It's common right now for married men to receive Holy Orders in the Catholic Church. The Church this country already has more married clergy (permanent deacons, around 15,000) than it has celibate men in religious orders, e.g. Jesuits, Franciscan, Dominicans (at around 14,000.)

My (TN) Catholic parish has 5 clergy: 2 celibate and 3 married.

I see the Diocese of Allentown, PA just ordained 47 permanent deacons: a new record for the U.S., I think.

7 posted on 05/06/2015 7:33:22 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (All you holy men and women, pray for us.)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
I see no reason why Holy Matrimony should be denied to those seeking vocations in the priesthood.

FWIW, a couple of things to keep in mind:

There is NOTHING in the Bible requiring such a policy.

True, but such a policy is commended (not mandated) in Scripture.

For example, Matt 19:12 [12] For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother' s womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.

Likewise, Paul commends perpetual celibacy in I Cor 7 (e.g., v 7-8: For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that. But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. and v32-33 But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.)

30 posted on 05/06/2015 5:24:30 PM PDT by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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