Cardinal: Married Catholic priests a possibility

[libby]

Originally Posted by Zguy28

Oh sorry, I guess I read this differently than you...

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Celibacy of the Clergy

Celibacy is the renunciation of marriage implicitly or explicitly made, for the more perfect observance of chastity, by all those who receive the Sacrament of Orders in any of the higher grades. The character of this renunciation, as we shall see, is differently understood in the Eastern and in the Western Church. Speaking, for the moment, only of Western Christendom, the candidates for orders are solemnly warned by the bishop at the beginning of the ceremony regarding the gravity of the obligation which they are incurring. He tells them:

You ought anxiously to consider again and again what sort of a burden this is which you are taking upon you of your own accord. Up to this you are free. You may still, if you choose, turn to the aims and desires of the world (licet vobis pro artitrio ad caecularia vota transire). But if you receive this order (of the subdiaconate) it will no longer be lawful to turn back from your purpose. You will be required to continue in the service of God, and with His assistance to observe chastity and to be bound for ever in the ministrations of the Altar, to serve who is to reign.

By stepping forward despite this warning, when invited to do so, and by co-operating in the rest of the ordination service, the candidate is understood to bind himself equivalently by a vow of chastity. He is henceforth unable to contract a valid marriage, and any serious transgression in the matter of this vow is not only a grievous sin in itself but incurs the additional guilt of sacrilege.

Before turning to the history of this observance it will be convenient to deal in the first place with certain general principles involved. The law of celibacy has repeatedly been made the object of attack, especially of recent years, and it is important at the outset to correct certain prejudices thus created. Although we do not find in the New Testament any indication of celibacy being made compulsory either upon the Apostles or those whom they ordained, we have ample warrant in the language of Our Saviour, and of St. Paul for looking upon virginity as the higher call, and by inference, as the condition befitting those who are set apart for the work of the ministry.

This is a non sequitur, but whatever.

A more appropriate analogy would be requiring a person to have a M.Div. to be able to pastor otherwise they are cannot.

I don't see how this is any different from the fidelity demanded of a man and woman before they marry. Men and women are free to marry, or remain single; however, once they have chosen to commit their lives they are not free to just turn back. The Scriptures themselves say that man and wife are bound until death. Under God's law you are faithful to the vows you have taken, yet you are free to not take them at all.
Doctrine is something we must believe to be in communion with the Church. Probably can be likened to the Constitution. If you choose to be a priest or be married, you have other disciplines/laws you need to follow. If you choose to have a driver's license, or own a gun, there are other laws you need to follow.
Seems no more confusing than that to me.

[RPMDAD]

Personally am all in favor of allowing Priests to marry.

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by Zguy28

Oh sorry, I guess I read this differently than you...

Yes, you did. Regardless, it can be viewed as an imposition or an enhancement, it depends on how one views it. To state that the discipline has potential of becoming an "accidental Pharisee", however, is a bit of a stretch.

Originally Posted by RPMDAD

Personally am all in favor of allowing Priests to marry.

Although it has it's pros and cons, so are a lot of us.

[onel0126]

.......and he's no longer a cardinal as of yesterday.

[Zguy28]

Originally Posted by onel0126

.......and he's no longer a cardinal as of yesterday.

Yep. Looks like he resigned according to this article:

Cardinal O'Brien "will meet justice," papal consultant says - CBS News