Catholics possibly will end celibacy requirement for priests

[flavio]

I think this is WAY overdue. They should allow women priests too.

Catholic priests, who've left the priesthood for married life may possibly be permitted to return to their calling. Pope Benedict will meet tomorrow with top Vatican officials to discuss lifting the celibacy requirement for priests seeking to marry, or who have already married.

Volunteer TV's Gary Loe spoke with East Tennessee clergy members, and what impact this could have. The practice of celibacy by Catholic priests is ancient, deeply rooted in Biblical history and written in scripture.

"It is a radical choice to make to give up something so precious," Father Vann Johnston said.

Father Vann Johnston, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, says priestly celibacy reflects the way Jesus lived. Pope Benedict XVI called a meeting to examine the implications of the disobedience of archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, the Zambian excommunicated in September for installing 4 married American men as bishops.

The Vatican stresses the pope's meeting would not open a general discussion of the celibacy requirement for priests. It would instead only examine requests for dispensation made by priests wishing to marry and requests for readmission made by clergy who had married recently.

"I don't ever foresee a point where priestly celibacy would ever be totally done away with," Johnston said.

Sevier Heights Baptist Church officials on Alcoa Highway focus much of their work on strengthening marriages. Brother David Harkins says having married clergy members in any religion may be helpful, in that respect.

"I would guess that they're probably a lot of people who would consider the priesthood if they knew that they would not be excluded from it by being married," Harkins said.

Father Johnston says several former priests, now married, live here in East Tennessee and if permitted, might consider a return to the priesthood. Those men were not available for this news story because the church asks former priests to remain low key and not draw attention to themselves in this regard.

Father Johnston points out the Catholic church has ordained married men in good standing. Most recently, an increased number of Protestant ministers have become Catholic priests.

Text

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Only when Holy Mother The Church embraces gay marrige and NAMBLA will there
be celibration amoungst a celibate clergy 😛

Thanks for the post but it's far too little, way too late.


...Galvanized

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: flavio
I think this is WAY overdue. They should allow women priests too.

I agree on both counts.

Things that most people would agree are good points:
1) It'll help solve their problem of lack of priests.
2) It'll help solve their problem of sexism.
3) It'll help solve their child molestation problem.
4) The priests can finally set good examples for their congregation with regard to how to act properly in a marriage.

Something that I like but will be controversial.
5) It'll eventually weaken their hard-line stance against gays.

 

[tokie]

I don't think this is a good thing (as an atheist). If a religion is to hold any value or possibility of being "real", then it should have the same traditions and standards as it practiced previously, and hold to them, no? Changing positions about such things lessens the authenticity of the church.

 

[dmcowen674]

Well another Priest was caught having underage sex in Colorado.

At least this time was a 16 yr old girl and not a boy.

He actually turned himself in, more details to follow.

 

[Feldenak]

Weren't Catholic priests allowed to marry way back when?

 

[techs]

So what's the deal on nuns?
Will they be able to screw around too?

 

[JBarr]

For this to actually happen, the holy Catholic church would have to admit they were wrong for centuries, and that's simply not going to happen in your lifetime.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Originally posted by: tokie
I don't think this is a good thing (as an atheist). If a religion is to hold any value or possibility of being "real", then it should have the same traditions and standards as it practiced previously, and hold to them, no? Changing positions about such things lessens the authenticity of the church.

Pssst! hey dude!

Get yourself a book, read about Christianity... atheism is no excuse for ignorance...

In the Christian Orthodox system (Eastern Europe and Middle East), all priests can marry... in fact, they CANNOT obtain the right to be full-fledged ministers, i.e. officiate mass in a community church, unless they are married.

A much better system than the Catholic one, getting rid of sodomy, child molesting and other practices frowned upon socially...

This is the main reason why the Orthodox will never unite with the Catholics. This and the Pope.

 

[Aisengard]

I think it's great for religions to change and adapt with the times.

I don't understand the atheist who says it's 'wrong' for a religion to change. You would rather priests continue to molest altar boys because they are sexually repressed by their own religion?

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: techs
So what's the deal on nuns?
Will they be able to screw around too?

dibbs on the one wearing black. 😱

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: flavio
I think this is WAY overdue. They should allow women priests too.

I agree on both counts.

Things that most people would agree are good points:
1) It'll help solve their problem of lack of priests.
2) It'll help solve their problem of sexism.
3) It'll help solve their child molestation problem.
4) The priests can finally set good examples for their congregation with regard to how to act properly in a marriage.

Something that I like but will be controversial.
5) It'll eventually weaken their hard-line stance against gays.

This has nothing to do with #3.

Replace #3 with alcoholism. It's a fairly big problem among Catholic priests. They get lonely, they drink.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: bamacre
This has nothing to do with #3.

Replace #3 with alcoholism. It's a fairly big problem among Catholic priests. They get lonely, they drink.

Put a law that job XYZ can not have married people. Job XYZ will therefore attract ONLY two types of people (a) people who just never want to get married and (b) people who can't get married due to their sexual tastes and thus they have a great excuse whenever they get asked daily why they aren't married. Part (b) could be homosexual, pedophiles, or whatever. Trust me, part (b) is a significiant number of people.

There isn't anything wrong with people in part (a) and possibly nothing wrong with people being in part (b). But, the reality is that job XYZ will have a much higher percent of sexual deviants than other jobs, including pedophiles. Then lets say job XYZ requires significant time alone with unsuspecing and unprotected children.

High % of pedophiles + unprotected children + years of celebacy building up frustrations = the Catholic church's problem.

Allowing marriages will drastically reduce people in the priesthood in part (a) and (b). They'll be replaced mostly by sexually healthy people. They'll be replaced mostly by sexually healthy people who aren't repressing themselves and have a legal and moral sexual outlet.

No, it won't end all molestation by priests. But it'll drastically reduce the percent of pedophiles in the priesthood and it'll give the priests a legal and moral outlet for their sexual frustrations. Bingo! Instant drastic drop in the amount of molestation going on in the priesthood. There will be some deviants left, but it just won't be nearly as prevalent.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: bamacre
This has nothing to do with #3.

Replace #3 with alcoholism. It's a fairly big problem among Catholic priests. They get lonely, they drink.

Put a law that job XYZ can not have married people. Job XYZ will therefore attract ONLY two types of people (a) people who just never want to get married and (b) people who can't get married due to their sexual tastes and thus they have a great excuse whenever they get asked daily why they aren't married. Part (b) could be homosexual, pedophiles, or whatever. Trust me, part (b) is a significiant number of people.

There isn't anything wrong with people in part (a) and possibly nothing wrong with people being in part (b). But, the reality is that job XYZ will have a much higher percent of sexual deviants than other jobs, including pedophiles. Then lets say job XYZ requires significant time alone with unsuspecing and unprotected children.

High % of pedophiles + unprotected children + years of celebacy building up frustrations = the Catholic church's problem.

Allowing marriages will drastically reduce people in the priesthood in part (a) and (b). They'll be replaced mostly by sexually healthy people. They'll be replaced mostly by sexually healthy people who aren't repressing themselves and have a legal and moral sexual outlet.

No, it won't end all molestation by priests. But it'll drastically reduce the percent of pedophiles in the priesthood and it'll give the priests a legal and moral outlet for their sexual frustrations. Bingo! Instant drastic drop in the amount of molestation going on in the priesthood. There will be some deviants left, but it just won't be nearly as prevalent.

You make an excellent point. But I disagree with what's in bold...

High % of pedophiles + unprotected children + years of celebacy building up frustrations = the Catholic church's problem.

I just don't think that has anything to do with pedophilia. Porno, prostitutes, sure, but not pedophilia.

I also wanted to point out the alcohol problem, because not many people are aware of it. Catholics are allowed to drink, of course, and lonliness and alcohol don't mix well.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: bamacre
You make an excellent point. But I disagree with what's in bold...

I won't argue the bold part. I believe it, you don't. Even without the bold part, my point still stands:

High % of pedophiles + unprotected children = the Catholic church's problem.

I also wanted to point out the alcohol problem, because not many people are aware of it. Catholics are allowed to drink, of course, and lonliness and alcohol don't mix well.

I just don't know much about the alcohol problem (ie how prevalent it is), so I cannot comment on it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Vatican says no way

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? The Vatican on Thursday reaffirmed the requirement of celibacy for priests after a summit led by Pope Benedict XVI that was spurred by a married African archbishop who has been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.
"The value of the choice of priestly celibacy, according to Catholic tradition, has been reaffirmed," the Vatican said in a brief statement summing up the three-hour meeting of top Vatican prelates for "joint reflection" with the pope.

 

[Jaskalas]

The biggest failures I?ve seen in religion have been two things.

1: The prospect that heaven only resides through them.

2: Perversion of sexuality, a natural aspect of being human.

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: flavio

The Vatican stresses the pope's meeting would not open a general discussion of the celibacy requirement for priests. It would instead only examine requests for dispensation made by priests wishing to marry and requests for readmission made by clergy who had married recently.

"I don't ever foresee a point where priestly celibacy would ever be totally done away with," Johnston said.[/L]

I dunno. This seems pretty bogus. "Priests wishing to marry"? How does THAT work? I mean, doesn't a priest have to date for awhile and have a few romantic interludes before he decides he wants to marry? So are priests now free join internet dating sites? Will they be permitted to stand in line a movie theaters, holding hands and locking lips with some sweet young thang?

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Weren't Catholic priests allowed to marry way back when?

The "real" reason for requiring priests to be celibate was to prevent the wife/family from being a financial burden on the church. There have been periods of time in history where it was not uncommon for the upper levels of the clergy to have mistresses and children.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: shira
I dunno. This seems pretty bogus. "Priests wishing to marry"? How does THAT work? I mean, doesn't a priest have to date for awhile and have a few romantic interludes before he decides he wants to marry? So are priests now free join internet dating sites? Will they be permitted to stand in line a movie theaters, holding hands and locking lips with some sweet young thang?

What is wrong with any of that? A priest could date responsibly and morally. Plus, there are in-between states. Priests who were married before becoming priests were discussed in the articles linked above.

Originally posted by: aka1nas
The "real" reason for requiring priests to be celibate was to prevent the wife/family from being a financial burden on the church. There have been periods of time in history where it was not uncommon for the upper levels of the clergy to have mistresses and children.

Now that women work, that isn't a problem any longer.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Jaskalas
2: Perversion of sexuality, a natural aspect of being human.

It's not that sexuality is perverse. The perception of being "anti-sex" has been exaggerated, by both the non-religious and the religious. There is nothing wrong with sex itself, it is a gift in fact. The difference is the act in and outside of marriage. You can't deny the problems society has run into with rampant outside-of-marriage sex.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: flavio
I think this is WAY overdue. They should allow women priests too.

Catholic priests, who've left the priesthood for married life may possibly be permitted to return to their calling. Pope Benedict will meet tomorrow with top Vatican officials to discuss lifting the celibacy requirement for priests seeking to marry, or who have already married.

Volunteer TV's Gary Loe spoke with East Tennessee clergy members, and what impact this could have. The practice of celibacy by Catholic priests is ancient, deeply rooted in Biblical history and written in scripture.

"It is a radical choice to make to give up something so precious," Father Vann Johnston said.

Father Vann Johnston, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, says priestly celibacy reflects the way Jesus lived. Pope Benedict XVI called a meeting to examine the implications of the disobedience of archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, the Zambian excommunicated in September for installing 4 married American men as bishops.

The Vatican stresses the pope's meeting would not open a general discussion of the celibacy requirement for priests. It would instead only examine requests for dispensation made by priests wishing to marry and requests for readmission made by clergy who had married recently.

"I don't ever foresee a point where priestly celibacy would ever be totally done away with," Johnston said.

Sevier Heights Baptist Church officials on Alcoa Highway focus much of their work on strengthening marriages. Brother David Harkins says having married clergy members in any religion may be helpful, in that respect.

"I would guess that they're probably a lot of people who would consider the priesthood if they knew that they would not be excluded from it by being married," Harkins said.

Father Johnston says several former priests, now married, live here in East Tennessee and if permitted, might consider a return to the priesthood. Those men were not available for this news story because the church asks former priests to remain low key and not draw attention to themselves in this regard.

Father Johnston points out the Catholic church has ordained married men in good standing. Most recently, an increased number of Protestant ministers have become Catholic priests.

Text

Sorry to break it to you...but it will never happen!!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: flavio
I think this is WAY overdue. They should allow women priests too.

Catholic priests, who've left the priesthood for married life may possibly be permitted to return to their calling. Pope Benedict will meet tomorrow with top Vatican officials to discuss lifting the celibacy requirement for priests seeking to marry, or who have already married.

Volunteer TV's Gary Loe spoke with East Tennessee clergy members, and what impact this could have. The practice of celibacy by Catholic priests is ancient, deeply rooted in Biblical history and written in scripture.

"It is a radical choice to make to give up something so precious," Father Vann Johnston said.

Father Vann Johnston, chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, says priestly celibacy reflects the way Jesus lived. Pope Benedict XVI called a meeting to examine the implications of the disobedience of archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, the Zambian excommunicated in September for installing 4 married American men as bishops.

The Vatican stresses the pope's meeting would not open a general discussion of the celibacy requirement for priests. It would instead only examine requests for dispensation made by priests wishing to marry and requests for readmission made by clergy who had married recently.

"I don't ever foresee a point where priestly celibacy would ever be totally done away with," Johnston said.

Sevier Heights Baptist Church officials on Alcoa Highway focus much of their work on strengthening marriages. Brother David Harkins says having married clergy members in any religion may be helpful, in that respect.

"I would guess that they're probably a lot of people who would consider the priesthood if they knew that they would not be excluded from it by being married," Harkins said.

Father Johnston says several former priests, now married, live here in East Tennessee and if permitted, might consider a return to the priesthood. Those men were not available for this news story because the church asks former priests to remain low key and not draw attention to themselves in this regard.

Father Johnston points out the Catholic church has ordained married men in good standing. Most recently, an increased number of Protestant ministers have become Catholic priests.

Text

Sorry to break it to you...but it will never happen!!

Pandora's box was opened once in mythology.

A male dominated/controlled Catholic church will never stand for such a challenge that could then occur.

 

[magomago]

This is a smart move. We were never ever intended to be celibate like this. There is something fundamentally wrong when you are allegedly a speaker of God yet cannot raise your own children and share a bed with your own wife

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Aisengard
I think it's great for religions to change and adapt with the times.

I don't understand the atheist who says it's 'wrong' for a religion to change. You would rather priests continue to molest altar boys because they are sexually repressed by their own religion?

AFAIK, the Church made a requirement a long time ago that they be celibate because of corruption in handing things down to their children....

This isn't adapting to the times....more like getting rid of old requirements that were problematic in the first place