Married Priests

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

As most people know, Orthodox priests can be married provided they marry before ordination. However, RC priests cannot marry. When did the idea that priests shouldn't marry come about? Obviously, it must have been after the Great Schism. This is a question that is definitely open to RC input. I thought of posting it in OBOB, but I'm afraid to start threads in other forum groups because I don't want to stir up trouble or anything.

[Matrona]

I think it became mandatory in the RCC at the Council of Trent, but I'm not sure.

To be fair, there are dispensations for married priests who are converting from the Anglican church, and same for those who divorce themselves from Holy Orthodoxy to become uniate.

[MariaRegina]

As most people know, Orthodox priests can be married provided they marry before ordination. However, RC priests cannot marry. When did the idea that priests shouldn't marry come about? Obviously, it must have been after the Great Schism. This is a question that is definitely open to RC input. I thought of posting it in OBOB, but I'm afraid to start threads in other forum groups because I don't want to stir up trouble or anything.

I agree.

I think almost all the Apostles (except St. John the Theologian) were married men. Only after the time of St. Constantine were the bishoprics not open to married men due to nepotism; otherwise, St. Paul wouldn't have written to St. Timothy on the requirements of Bishops, that they be the husband of one wife.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I agree.

I think almost all the Apostles (except St. John the Theologian) were married men. Only after the time of St. Constantine were the bishoprics not open to married men due to nepotism; otherwise, St. Paul wouldn't have written to St. Timothy on the requirements of Bishops, that they be the husband of one wife.
Good point. St. Peter, who is often referred to as the "Rock" of the Church's foundation, was married with two daughters. Does anyone know for sure if this teaching about priests remaining unmarried came about from the Council of Trent?

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Well, as best as I can find is that this teaching popped up sometime in the Middle Ages. I was looking for info. on an RC website and BOY was it ever one sided! And there was a fair amount of misinformation. Here's one little clip:

English history is identified with the cause of a celibate clergy, was Archbishop (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01691a.htm) of Canterbury from 960 to 988, a period during which the papacy was subjected to oppression and disorder of the worst kind. In fact the practice of celibacy was almost universally enjoined long before the resolute energy of Gregory VII (Hildebrand) (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06791c.htm) built up what it has of late years been the fashion to call the papal monarchy.

They state several times that celebate priests in "the Early Church" were the norm. We know from history this isn't true. Not that celebacy isn't honored, it is still considered a high calling (monasticism), but I can't find evidence that the early church ever condemned the idea of married priests. Oh, another thing I thought was cute........apparently this website considers the Middle Ages to be early church history. ;)

[fragmentsofdreams]

The pratice of universal celibacy came around the Eleventh or Twelveth Century (IIRC). Part of the motivation was due to priests and bishops giving priveledges and church property to their children. Rites other than the Latin Rite do have married priests, and married priests and ministers who convert are generally allowed to serve as a priest and remain married.

The issue of married priests is considered a discipline. If it was determined to be prudent to have married priests (other than the current exceptions), it could be done without much difficulty.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Thanks for your input, fragmentofdreams.:)

P.S> Uh, what's going on in your avatar?^_^

[fragmentsofdreams]

It's GIR holding a rubber piggy. It's from the cancelled Nick show Invader Zim.

[Oblio]

Part of the motivation was due to priests and bishops giving priveledges and church property to their children.


I am not aware of any such abuses in the Orthodox Church, nor am I sure how one would abuse this in our Church. If that indeed is the case, would the RCC ever consider allowing married priests as the EOC does.

[fragmentsofdreams]

I am not aware of any such abuses in the Orthodox Church, nor am I sure how one would abuse this in our Church. If that indeed is the case, would the RCC ever consider allowing married priests as the EOC does.
These abuses occured in the Middle Ages. In some places, the pastor of a particular church or the bishop of a diocese was treated as a inheritable position. The bishops were often also the secular power of the region, ruling over a bishopric and the title could be treated the same as other feudal titles. These abuses would not happen in modern times due to the changes in legal and political structure.

It also wasn't the only cause. I believe there was also a strong anti-sexuality trend at the time.

There is some consideration of allowing married priests as the rule rather than the exception. John Paul II is against it, but his successor could think differently. Ultimately, it is trying to balance the need for priests with the need for priests who can give their all. When there are many candidates for priesthood, one can select those who can devote all their time to their ministry instead of splitting their time between ministry and their family. When there is a shortage, making sure that parishes have pastors becomes more important.

[The Prokeimenon!]

I work with a guy who used to be a Catholic Priest. He left the Priesthood because, well... he had a son. He has since gotten married to his son's mother. He had to wait a long time to get approval, but he got it. I suggested that he should become Orthodox, but he very politely said that he had heard that before, and was not interested. He said that he could have joined the Byzantine Rite, but he wanted to leave the Priesthood anyway, and he didn't want to scandlize a Parish by giving them a Priest who had fathered a son out of wedlock. His son is delightful and he's a great guy. We talk about religion occasionally and he has some interesting insights.

Anyway- there was no point to my story. :)

Moses

[InnerPhyre]

Actually, I believe that the Latin Rite is the only one that follows (with a few exceptions) the discipline of celibacy.