[boatbums]

Thanks for the response.

Well, no, actually it doesn't answer my question totally. You previously stated:

It is CURRENT law in the Catholic Church that all clerics observe perfect, perpetual continence. This includes those who are permitted to be ordained even though married. I.e., it includes deacons, and those who have been ordained priests after converting from another ecclesial body.

And now you state:

In the Western Church, all clerics are bound to celibacy, with some exceptions (deacons, and some converts from other ecclesial bodies). All clerics are bound to perfect and perpetual continence.

So, deacons are an exception regarding "no sexual activity" ever...yes or no? The reason I ask is I know of Catholic deacons who are married and have children.

[Arthur McGowan]

Deacons who are married when they promise celibacy remain married. Their promise of celibacy means they can never contract a NEW marriage. (That is, if the deacon’s wife dies.) They are, however, because they are clerics, bound to practice continence.

The deacons you know who are having sexual relations are violating the law. I guarantee you they are totally unaware of this fact.

This is one example of the lawlessness and chaos in the Church in the past 50-some years.

[Arthur McGowan]

Notice that I said that there are exceptions to clerical celibacy. There are no exceptions to clerical continence.

[Arthur McGowan]

BTW: If you ask any priest or deacon about what I said, he will tell you I’m crazy.

Since the restoration of the permanent diaconate fifty-some years ago, the law on clerical continence has not been altered. It has quite literally and simply been ignored.

Google or Bing: edward peters clerical continence