Posted on 10/30/2009 12:45:10 PM PDT by SmithL
One of the hardest things Ed Donaghy has ever done was leave his ministry as a Catholic priest. For months, he agonized over his conflicting desires to have a family and serve as a priest in the Sacramento Diocese.
In the end, Donaghy felt he had no choice. The priest, who served in Woodland, told his bishop he had to leave.
That was four decades ago.
"It would have been wonderful to be married and be a priest," said Donaghy, 73, now retired as an insurance agent. "I loved the work and would have continued."
Donaghy is one of more than 75 men in the Sacramento area who have left active ministry in the priesthood to marry. Many of them, say Donaghy and others, "would have returned in a minute if the rules changed."
That is not likely to happen soon.
But the possibility that someday Catholics may see married priests in the pulpit was raised last week. That's when Vatican officials announced an arrangement that welcomes Anglicans into the Catholic Church, including their married priests.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
If this happens, it’s gonna tick off a lot of priests who would LOVE to be married and raise a family. Others it might not.
None of the apostolic Churches have ever allowed priests to marry to my understanding. Many of these Churches do allow married men to become priests though, including some rites of the Cathoilc Church.
Freegards
If you go back and look, the celebacy provision was not part of the early church. Rather, it was politically inspired. Subsequent decisions have wrapped the image of doctorine around it, but it was a cold-blooded political decision.
That is not likely to happen soon.
I would simply abbreviate that statement to the following " That is not likely to happen. soon.
Typical media beat up of a story where the headline doesn't match the facts.
I wish him and his wife well. “For it is better to marry than to burn.”
Nothing to worry about, just a secular attack on Catholicism.
...A reporter who is trying to make an issue where there is none.
How many priests do you know that would LOVE to be married?
It’s is a willing sacrifice that faithful priests make.
Exactly - the history of celibacy stems from the middle ages when the local priest was very powerful and very wealthy. Too many priests were having families and distrubitng wealth to their heirs that the church thought should be hers. There never was any biblical foundation to the concept. The story that priests are celibate so as to emulate the apostle Paul is part of the folklore.
Yes, I was told that many years ago, or read it...can’t recall, but you’re right as far as I know.
Pre-nup agreements might solve the majority of perceived problems.
I agree. There was no biblical mandate for it. It was a pure political power play. Men subjugating men. The age old game.
I disagree, I think celibacy is a valuable discipline. That doesn’t mean married priests are worse priests, though. My point was that at no time did any Church allow priests to marry, so this guy in the article would be out of luck in any case.
Freegards
Hardly, but maybe if everyone says it often enough it will be true.
Try 1 Cor 7, the Council of Elvira in Spain (AD 324), etc.
You might also stop to reflect that Jewish priests were forbidden from cohabiting with their wives during their temple service, so the practice even predates Christianity.
The Jewish priests only served in the temple a couple of weeks a year and during the High Feasts. They rotated the office, thanks to King David. So your argument is apples and oranges.
The Apostle Peter was married so that's not true either.
Was he married before or after he became a priest?
Freegards
...My point was that at no time did any Church allow priests to marry, so this guy in the article would be out of luck in any case.
“The Apostle Peter was married so that’s not true either”
Actually Peter was married already. So, that is irrelevant to your point.
It’s still a requirement for sexual continence associated with priestly service, albeit a temporary one. Not apples and oranges at all.
You guys’ ignorance never ceases to amaze me! Celibacy is a gift from God. Usually those who advocate married priesthood are the same folks who say that:
1. abortion is a choice
2. women should be priests
3. the church should bless same sex unions
4. birth control is okay
Do you suppose that this ex priest was more faithful to his marriage vows than he was to his priestly vows?
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