In a surprising and unprecedented move, the Vatican may have opened the door to the possibility of Catholic priests being allowed to marry.
For centuries Catholic Church tradition has required celibacy from priests. The Canon Law of the church states, “Clerics are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, and therefore are bound to celibacy, which is a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can adhere more easily to Christ with an undivided heart and are able to dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and humanity.”
Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the incoming Number 2 leader in the Catholic Church billed to become secretary of state next month, had declared that the priestly vow of celibacy derived from an age-old rule but was not Catholic dogma.
“It’s not a dogma of the Church and it can be discussed because it’s an ecclesiastical tradition,” Archbishop Parolin told El Universal in Venezuela, where he is completing his term as Papal Nuncio.
This has been interpreted to mean that the church under reformist-minded Pope Francis I may welcome married priesthood if most Catholics so desire.
The number of priests has been declining steadily partly because of the rule on celibacy. In the United States alone, about 30,000 priests have left because they wanted to pursue a relationship.
“I think it would be an enormously welcome conversation,” Thomas Groome, a professor of theology at Boston College, USA, told interviewers. “I think Catholics, certainly American Catholics and Catholics of the world, have been waiting for this conversation.”
Groome said that the idea of complete celibacy among the clergy only started to become standard practice in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries.
He added that, “As far as we can tell from the Gospels, all of the apostles were married, with the possible exception of John.”
With so many allegations and sexual molestation cases against the catholic church, I think this move may end all similar and related controversies in the future by allowing the priests who may wish to have a family to get married. What do you think?
With so many allegations and sexual molestation cases against the catholic church, I think this move may end all similar and related controversies in the future by allowing the priests who may wish to have a family to get married. What do you think?
That's a welcoming news. It will certainly reduced the moral atrocities done by catholic preists.
ReplyDeleteMan's carnal desire can never be quenched. Once marriage is allowed, people would start longing for polygamy.
ReplyDeleteIt also means that women/girls would blatantly attempt to seduce them during sacraments.... unthinkable
Priesthood ain't for everybody. Celibacy in the priesthood dates back so many years.
Anyway I dnt think its a good idea bt its nt in d doctrine pls if u choose 2 be a priest make dat scarifice and serve God period.
ReplyDeleteThe celibacy requirement was put by man, not by God. It can be removed by man too. The priests that do not want to marry will not be forced to do so.
ReplyDelete