Question:
Shame on each one of us, regardless of married or single priests, who never has dinner for him (or him and his family), never stop by and chat, who take care of theones who have sacrificed to take care of us. Marriage isn’t the answer because there is a call to family the same as there is to priesthood. Couldn’t agree more! A little support goes a long way! Marriage isn’t the answer – Sound strange coming from a married priest? I don’t know of any married couple that doesn’t have problems as well. The issue is about balance! Just as a married couple finds time for each other, the children, jobs, friends, etc. – a single priest needs to divide his time and energy as well. Problems develop when no family is present (actual or parish). Loneliness is a battle! In the early church very few monastics were allowed to enter the desert as hermits early in their spiritual development. Isolation can be devastating. Religious communities are just that – families living together. The lack of a spouse and children are offset by the support of fellow brothers and sisters in the community. The parish priest however, is often neglected during the week – and overworked! I wish I had a dime for everytime I heard Fr so and so only works weekends! You would be amazed at what an invitation, chat, or card of thanks can do! Married priests struggle with a whole host of different issues. Married or not – men respond to this life to serve God’s people. Although I may differ on ritual or spiritual preferences at times, I can’t say that I’ve met too many priests who did not have their people as top priority. Fr Alex
Response:
Jack, Sorry for the loss of continuity – [problem with the newsreader! My last response was directed at Garys statement regarding "Then you don’t know very many priests." I think its important that people realize all of us-even priests-have public personas. Just because Father is nice on Sunday doesn’t mean he lives without problems the rest of the week. Laity see such small snippets of priests lives that it is hard to make accurate assessments of how their doing. THIS IS NOT A NEGATIVE COMMENT. Honestly, many priest who appear content, energetic, carefree in public – could use an occasional -unexpected- "pat on the back" during the week. You asked "which Eastern Rite do you belong"… I’m a priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Diocese of St. Josaphat in Parma Ohio. Bishop Robert Moskal is the Hierarch of the Eparchy. I serve a small parish in Altoona, PA -St. Marys to be exact. (I was a Chaplain in the US Navy and was retired due to medical problems. As a chronic pain patient (Back/Nerve injury) my schedule is kept light. I assist priests and religious with technology and serve as Adjunct faculty at a local Catholic college. I’m married with a 3 1/2 son and 15 month daughter. Fr Alex
Response:
There are NUMEROUS speculations why this matter occurred in the Roman Catholic Church. The most probable and likely cause was FINANCE! Not because they couldn’t pay married priest – there was the fear of inheritance of Church property! A practical solution to a problem that honestly would not be a problem today! The line about dedication and 100% commitment – Don’t buy it! The most dedicated. HOLY, PRAYERFUL, PARISH ORIENTED priests I know are married! …
Then you don’t know very many priests.
Response:
The clergy doesn’t want to be married. That would blow their cover for their homosexual hideout.
Good thing your so open minded. I’d hate to see what you think if you were clsoed minded.
Response:
Gary, What was the date of your ordination? Diocese? Fully aware that many non-married priest are indeed HOLY, PRAYERFUL, and PARISH ORIENTED – just making a point. Unless you know both sides of the issue on an intimate level, your arguments are purely speculative. Fr Alexander
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are NUMEROUS speculations why this matter occurred in the Roman Catholic Church. The most probable and likely cause was FINANCE! Not because they couldn’t pay married priest – there was the fear of inheritance of Church property! A practical solution to a problem that honestly would not be a problem today! The line about dedication and 100% commitment – Don’t buy it! The most dedicated. HOLY, PRAYERFUL, PARISH ORIENTED priests I know are married! Look, as a catholic priest, I obviously have many celibate friends. While I spend time with my family they go out to dinner, have hobbies, find secular activities. It is critical for ones priesthood to have other "distractions". Ever hear of Clergy Burnout? Alcoholism? Other Bad habits? Its a tough life married or single! Remember, it wasn’t just because of the Apostles either! This practice continued for many centuries. Even Popes were married! If you want to argue that priest should not marry please stipulate Roman Catholic. As a validly ordained Eastern Catholic priest I take offense at such comments. I am part of a practice that dates back to the original "priests"! Furthermore – such sentiment is a violation of the Churches Teachings! It is the Church herself that recognizes this fact through Canon Law and Papal Documents. Lets learn a little and pray on this Good to hear from you! It’s nice to hear from someone living the life, that so many anti-married clergy people say can’t be done. I have two uncles who are priests and am aware of some of the trials and tribulations of being a priest. I think they (or at least one) could’ve handled being married too. God bless! Niamh
I have a close friend who is a Roman Catholic priest. He’s half-seriously considering leaving the priesthood mostly due to so much pressure, but also because he’s simply lonely and lacking in a "real" life.
Response:
Heck no. Because it is another sacrament of commitment. When you make a commitment, you must give it 100% of your time and soul. Just because the apostles were married, doesn’t mean priests today should be. They thought the sun revolved around the earth back then, that doesn’t mean I’m going to believe that. Yes, it did take a while for them to decide that priests should not marry. Jesus planted the seed so that the "flower" would grow and now that the flower is beautiful, everyone wants to trim it! Well, not me.
Huh? — "But grandfather, are the gods not just?" "Oh no, child. What would become of us if they were?" Till We Have Faces_ by C.S. Lewis
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are NUMEROUS speculations why this matter occurred in the Roman Catholic Church. The most probable and likely cause was FINANCE! Not because they couldn’t pay married priest – there was the fear of inheritance of Church property! A practical solution to a problem that honestly would not be a problem today! The line about dedication and 100% commitment – Don’t buy it! The most dedicated. HOLY, PRAYERFUL, PARISH ORIENTED priests I know are married! Look, as a catholic priest, I obviously have many celibate friends. While I spend time with my family they go out to dinner, have hobbies, find secular activities. It is critical for ones priesthood to have other "distractions". Ever hear of Clergy Burnout? Alcoholism? Other Bad habits? Its a tough life married or single! Remember, it wasn’t just because of the Apostles either! This practice continued for many centuries. Even Popes were married! If you want to argue that priest should not marry please stipulate Roman Catholic. As a validly ordained Eastern Catholic priest I take offense at such comments. I am part of a practice that dates back to the original "priests"! Furthermore – such sentiment is a violation of the Churches Teachings! It is the Church herself that recognizes this fact through Canon Law and Papal Documents. Lets learn a little and pray on this
Good to hear from you! It’s nice to hear from someone living the life, that so many anti-married clergy people say can’t be done. I have two uncles who are priests and am aware of some of the trials and tribulations of being a priest. I think they (or at least one) could’ve handled being married too. God bless! Niamh
Response:
Heck no. Because it is another sacrament of commitment. When you make a commitment, you must give it 100% of your time and soul. Just because the apostles were married, doesn’t mean priests today should be. They thought the sun revolved around the earth back then, that doesn’t mean I’m going to believe that. Yes, it did take a while for them to decide that priests should not marry. Jesus planted the seed so that the "flower" would grow and now that the flower is beautiful, everyone wants to trim it! Well, not me. Huh?
It’s Catholic, CB. You wouldn’t understand. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — "But grandfather, are the gods not just?" "Oh no, child. What would become of us if they were?" Till We Have Faces_ by C.S. Lewis
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Heck no. Because it is another sacrament of commitment. When you make a commitment, you must give it 100% of your time and soul. Just because the apostles were married, doesn’t mean priests today should be. They thought the sun revolved around the earth back then, that doesn’t mean I’m going to believe that. Yes, it did take a while for them to decide that priests should not marry. Jesus planted the seed so that the "flower" would grow and now that the flower is beautiful, everyone wants to trim it! Well, not me. Huh? It’s Catholic, CB. You wouldn’t understand.
I guess not 
— "But grandfather, are the gods not just?" "Oh no, child. What would become of us if they were?" Till We Have Faces_ by C.S. Lewis
Response:
I have a close friend who is a Roman Catholic priest. He’s half-seriously considering leaving the priesthood mostly due to so much pressure, but also because he’s simply lonely and lacking in a "real" life.
of great sacrifice just as it is as head of any family. The guilt here is with us. Shame on each one of us, regardless of married or single priests, who never has dinner for him (or him and his family), never stop by and chat, who take care of theones who have sacrificed to take care of us. Marriage isn’t the answer because there is a call to family the same as there is to priesthood. The priests that I have known who had real problems with their priesthood were those who were forced by family to be priests or who (especailly during the 60- 70) bought a lot of the "peace love and tie dye" church. Jack Pax Christi in Regno Christi
Response:
Fr. When you post pelase include a snipped piece of what you are resonding to it makes it easier to understand your response. Just curious which "Eastern Rite" do you belong? Thank you Jack Gary, What was the date of your ordination? Diocese? Fully aware that many non-married priest are indeed HOLY, PRAYERFUL, and PARISH ORIENTED – just making a point. Unless you know both sides of the issue on an intimate level, your arguments are purely speculative. Fr Alexander
– Pax Christi in Regno Christi
Response:
I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian
Only catholic priests are not allowed to marry. Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. — "But grandfather, are the gods not just?" "Oh no, child. What would become of us if they were?" Till We Have Faces_ by C.S. Lewis
Response:
The clergy doesn’t want to be married. That would blow their cover for their homosexual hideout. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian
Response:
Heck no. Because it is another sacrament of commitment. When you make a commitment, you must give it 100% of your time and soul. Just because the apostles were married, doesn’t mean priests today should be. They thought the sun revolved around the earth back then, that doesn’t mean I’m going to believe that. Yes, it did take a while for them to decide that priests should not marry. Jesus planted the seed so that the "flower" would grow and now that the flower is beautiful, everyone wants to trim it! Well, not me.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian Only catholic priests are not allowed to marry. Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.
Only the Roman Rite of the Roman Catholic Church does not permit its priests to marry. Other rites in union with the Catholic Church that traditionally (there’s that word again) allow married men to become priests (to spouses, not other priests, of course). I don’t know how to explain the Anglican priests that have converted to Catholicism with their wives. DJK
Response:
An excellent question and I don’t know the answer was why RC (Roman rite only) developed the postion of mandtory celebacy for clergy. There was a time (before the schism between RC and Orthodox) when even bishops were married or monastics. No priest in RC (Eastern rites) or Orthodox may get married they remain what they are at the point of ordination/holy orders. In both hierarches are celebate or monastics. The "Oriential" Orthodox e.g. Coptic are the same. I have not seen it produce problems or difficulty for married clergy. I have seen among Protestants that single clergy dating produce terrible problems. I have read posts from some who beleive that celebacy is the casue of the abuse cases that have occured. This is nonsense and shows a lack of understanding of the pedaphile and other sexual criminals. So why did only the Roman Rite RC decide to go this way enquiring minds would like to know? Jack – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian Only catholic priests are not allowed to marry. Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. Only the Roman Rite of the Roman Catholic Church does not permit its priests
to marry. Other rites in union with the Catholic Church that traditionally (there’s that word again) allow married men to become priests (to spouses, not other
priests, of course). I don’t know how to explain the Anglican priests that have converted to
Catholicism with their wives. DJK
Pax Christi in Regno Christi
Response:
There are NUMEROUS speculations why this matter occurred in the Roman Catholic Church. The most probable and likely cause was FINANCE! Not because they couldn’t pay married priest – there was the fear of inheritance of Church property! A practical solution to a problem that honestly would not be a problem today! The line about dedication and 100% commitment – Don’t buy it! The most dedicated. HOLY, PRAYERFUL, PARISH ORIENTED priests I know are married! Look, as a catholic priest, I obviously have many celibate friends. While I spend time with my family they go out to dinner, have hobbies, find secular activities. It is critical for ones priesthood to have other "distractions". Ever hear of Clergy Burnout? Alcoholism? Other Bad habits? Its a tough life married or single! Remember, it wasn’t just because of the Apostles either! This practice continued for many centuries. Even Popes were married! If you want to argue that priest should not marry please stipulate Roman Catholic. As a validly ordained Eastern Catholic priest I take offense at such comments. I am part of a practice that dates back to the original "priests"! Furthermore – such sentiment is a violation of the Churches Teachings! It is the Church herself that recognizes this fact through Canon Law and Papal Documents. Lets learn a little and pray on this God Bless
Response:
I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian
Response:
Brian, I am a married priest (Ukrainian Catholic) with two children. (Boy-3/Girl 16months) I was ordained an Eastern Orthodox priest and converted. I may be able to provide some unique insights into this area. If you have specific questions regarding married priest I’d be glad to help. Fr. Alexander Ganzy, PhD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am doing research paper and i was wondering if you would take your time to anwser a question for me. Do you believe priests should marry and then please tell why you feel like that. Thankyou you dont know how much i would appreciate that. Thankyou Brian
Response:
Brian: Yes, if priests desire, I beleive they should marry. Many of Jesus’ early aposltes and disciples were married. Married life does not preclude ministry. The notion of a celibate priesthood comes from later on in the Church’s history, when there was a power struggle between the single (celibate) and the married for control. The single won out, and declared celibacy the norm. Numerous groups are calling for change to this human-created rule. The RC has allowed "transfer" clergy of the Anglican (English Catholic) and Lutheran rites to remain married and ordained in the Catholic rite. This argument is at times, paired with the ordination of women. While they amy be compared, they are also different. My guess, is that we will see married clergy become the norm before we see women clergy. That is unless a retired Bishop, with nothing to loose, validly ordains a woman. Good luck. It is not enough to be compassionate……. You must act. Captain Lawrence P. Rockwood, US Army
Response:
A bishop cannot validly ordain a woman. And it will never happen. As for married priests, who knows? I wouldn’t count on it happening in our lifetime, thankfully, as the Pope has picked the cardinals and bishops to be conservative. In Christ, Paul Ambro – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Brian: Yes, if priests desire, I beleive they should marry. Many of Jesus’ early aposltes and disciples were married. Married life does not preclude ministry. The notion of a celibate priesthood comes from later on in the Church’s history, when there was a power struggle between the single (celibate) and the married for control. The single won out, and declared celibacy the norm. Numerous groups are calling for change to this human-created rule. The RC has allowed "transfer" clergy of the Anglican (English Catholic) and Lutheran rites to remain married and ordained in the Catholic rite. This argument is at times, paired with the ordination of women. While they amy be compared, they are also different. My guess, is that we will see married clergy become the norm before we see women clergy. That is unless a retired Bishop, with nothing to loose, validly ordains a woman. Good luck. It is not enough to be compassionate……. You must act. Captain Lawrence P. Rockwood, US Army
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Brian: Yes, if priests desire, I beleive they should marry. Many of Jesus’ early aposltes and disciples were married. Married life does not preclude ministry. The notion of a celibate priesthood comes from later on in the Church’s history, when there was a power struggle between the single (celibate) and the married for control. The single won out, and declared celibacy the norm. Numerous groups are calling for change to this human-created rule. The RC has allowed "transfer" clergy of the Anglican (English Catholic) and Lutheran rites to remain married and ordained in the Catholic rite. This argument is at times, paired with the ordination of women. While they amy be compared, they are also different. My guess, is that we will see married clergy become the norm before we see women clergy. That is unless a retired Bishop, with nothing to loose, validly ordains a woman.
We already have married clergy. Eastern Rite Catholics outside the US have married priests and always have. In addition, converts from the Episcopal, Anglican and some other Churches are allowed to be priests (if they were one in their church to begin with) even though they are married. This does require a special disspensation from the bishop (or perhaps the Pope?).
Response:
Please remember that in the Eastern Church -FULLY CATHOLIC- married priests are the norm throughout the world. This occurs not from conversion from another religious body – but as an acceptable practice since the time of the Apostles. The issue has nothing to do with being conservative or not! It is only because of great prejudices during the early part of this century that the practice was stopped in the United States. (BTW – Resulting in one of the greatest schisms in Church History and firmly establishing the Orthodox Church here in the US) Please also remember that it remains clearly identified in the New Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches. As a married priest, I am constantly amused that people have a notion to lump me in with the liberal agenda. Often believing I support women’s ordinations and the like – If you really know anything about the Eastern Church – that becomes ludicrous! We celebrate the same Liturgy, Spirituality and customs that have existed since the early Church. The only change that the East truly seeks is the change of heart that brings one closer to God!
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