All This Homosexual Scandal Is Getting Old

[Selah]

The Eastern Churches have had married clergy for 2,000 years and seem to be able to make it work.

 

^_^

 

My priest is married and has two sons. The wife of the priest is called the Presbytera

[organwerke]

I really do not think that the percentage of priests whom engage in these scandal are a large percentage of the entire populace of the Priesthood. It is that the minority that get more press of the majority.

 

As a young adult that has discerned hard about the priesthood. I can not see marriage and the priesthood mixing. It is two separate vocations, two separate lifestyles. And if men feel called to be a priest and don't because they can't have sex. it is not the Vocations  fault it is the man's fault for not taking up the cross of the priesthood and cowering because he can't have sex.

 

With respect, I do not agree with you.

It is true that for the first centuriest priests could marry and this wasn't a problem. Evidently the early fathers did not think that priesthood and marriage were incompatible vocations. I think that religious vocation is different, so for example of course religious priests couldn't marry, but I think for secular priests it is different.

Unfortunately I know that at least in my diocesis most priests have problems living their state. Many had/have relationships, and many of the few who haven't, have psycological problems.

I do not think it is always man's fault for not taking the cross: it is nature that gives men sexual impulse (and in fact saint Alfonso Maria de Liguori discouraged from priesthood those who found too many difficulties being continent), and I think that for secular priests it is much more difficult than for religious to live celibacy, for a series of reasons, the most significant ones are that they live in the world so they are more exposed to temptations and they are often lonely and don't have a community that helps and encourages and protects them. (Also may I ask you why you did not ended following the priesthood).

I traditionally was against married priests but now knowing all these scandals I have come to the conclusion that it is much better a married priest than a priest who engages in scandals.

Also, I think that  having married priests wouldn't prevent, of course, those who feel called to religious life to live it, and those who feel to be ordaind as celibate priests to live it.

[tinytherese]

I can see how a married priesthood might solve discourage a scandal of say a priest having a mistress. (then again, there are unmarried men who sleep around as well as husbands who have affairs with other women,) but like what Basilica said earlier, that wouldn't discourage scandals of openly gay priests since the Church only permits marriage between a man and a woman, not a man and a man.

 

Also, what about priests who have committed rape? Rape is about domination and humiliation, not lust. There are cases of married men who rape. (And married women have raped as well.) Priests are not the only ones to sexually abuse. Family members, teachers, coaches, neighbors, friends of the family, etc. have been known to do it too.

[Guest]

Priest have raped women ? I didn't know that's happened...I couldn't see a Priest molesting little kids either so what do I know...I just think Priest being open to marriage would put the Church in a good light after all this homosexual scandal...

Edited March 3, 2013 by Guest

[Oremoose]

With respect, I do not agree with you.

It is true that for the first centuriest priests could marry and this wasn't a problem. Evidently the early fathers did not think that priesthood and marriage were incompatible vocations. I think that religious vocation is different, so for example of course religious priests couldn't marry, but I think for secular priests it is different.

Unfortunately I know that at least in my diocesis most priests have problems living their state. Many had/have relationships, and many of the few who haven't, have psycological problems.

I do not think it is always man's fault for not taking the cross: it is nature that gives men sexual impulse (and in fact saint Alfonso Maria de Liguori discouraged from priesthood those who found too many difficulties being continent), and I think that for secular priests it is much more difficult than for religious to live celibacy, for a series of reasons, the most significant ones are that they live in the world so they are more exposed to temptations and they are often lonely and don't have a community that helps and encourages and protects them. (Also may I ask you why you did not ended following the priesthood).

I traditionally was against married priests but now knowing all these scandals I have come to the conclusion that it is much better a married priest than a priest who engages in scandals.

Also, I think that  having married priests wouldn't prevent, of course, those who feel called to religious life to live it, and those who feel to be ordaind as celibate priests to live it.

 

I see your points. I understand your good intent. I would like to mention where I see some flaw in some points you made.

You mentioned that many of the priests in your diocese have a hard time, on first read that seems like a large assumption of your local priests. Then you spoke of  our nature that gives us our impulses, and that is true but it is a nature tainted by sin and that we all, especially our priest, should be formed in the Virtues, such as temperance, that are there to keep our sinfulness in check. Not to mention the Grace of state that Priests are given by ordination.

you then say that diocesan priest needs a community like religious ones. and you are right one parish should not have one priest but several for that reason. If he is not called to be a hermit then he should not live a hermits life.

 

and lastly when you mentioned scandal tiny Therese spoke well.

 

Priest have raped women ? I didn't know that's happened...I couldn't see a Priest molesting little kids either so what do I know...I just think Priest being open to marriage would put the Church in a good light after all this homosexual scandal...

 

The Church's purpose is not to be in a good light to the secular world. But the be the good light to the secular world.

 

 

P.S. I am no longer perusing the priesthood because through a good hard year or so of discernment my Spiritual Directer/Novice master and I concluded it simple was not my call at that time. I am still open to the call but I doubt He will again. So for now I carry on Listening to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit trying to become a saint. 

[Evangetholic]

It is a lie that a man may not live a chaste life (even without the, umm, outlet marriage provides). Nothing to it, but to do it, or don't do it as it were. We are not cats, but humans. Renunciation is fundamental to holiness.

[Winchester]

Inlet.

[Kateri89]

I haven't read through this whole thread so forgive me if this point has already been raised but why is it assumed that men are incapable of controlling their sexual urges?  And why is it that the media focuses so much on the fact that Catholic priests have abused boys (besides the obvious media bias)?  After all, some speculate that these particular priests are homosexual and if that's the case, why isn't GLAAD also apologizing to the community for the harm inflicted?  I haven't seen any debates stating that nuns and sisters should be able to get married.  Women have sexual urges too...

 

If the Church one day decides to let priests marry, I won't care but I do think it's frustrating that this debate always focuses on that.  Just sayin'.

[Winchester]

Some rites have married priests, as well. The Orthodox need not get all uppity.

[Evangetholic]

Inlet.

 

If you had any idea how internally vulgar and coarse I am you wouldn't have said that.

[Winchester]

If you had any idea how internally vulgar and coarse I am you wouldn't have said that.

 

You overestimate me.