Married Catholic men may be allowed to become priests, say Pope Francis

[True Dough]

Note the distinction here: the pope isn't saying existing priests can marry, he's saying he's considering allowing men who are married to become priests.

For the Catholics among us, do you agree with this prospective change? Disagree? Do you think those who are already priests should be allowed to have a spouse?

Pope Francis has said he is open to married men becoming priests to combat the Roman Catholic Church's shortage of clergy.

In an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit, Pope Francis said the lack of Catholic priests was an "enormous problem" for the Church, and indicated he would be open to a change in the rules governing eligibility for the priesthood.

"We need to consider if 'viri probati' could be a possibility," he said. "If so, we would need to determine what duties they could undertake, for example, in remote communities."

Viri probati is the Latin term for "tested men" or married men of outstanding faith and virtue. The option would allow men who are already married to be ordained as priests. But single men who are already priests would not be allowed to marry, according to the Pope.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/10/europe/pope-married-men-priests/

[Angry Dragon]

1. So many rules in the RCC that the message of Jesus gets lost in the details

How many souls have they saved today??

[Me.]

2. But Never Women

[True Dough]

3. Maybe by 2030?

Yeah, it seems backwards to me, but what do I know.

I'm no adherent but I admire Pope Francis for being a forward thinker, relatively speaking, when it comes to the clergy. Maybe if it were up to him he would allow women to be ordained, but that's a really tough one to get the cardinals to agree to.

[Me.]

12. The 12th Of Never

[jehop61]

5. Thank you

for bringing that up.

[trotsky]

4. Keep in mind, this is *solely* because of the incredible shortage of priests.

The RCC will not change unless they are absolutely forced to. The massive drain in their church membership in recent years delayed somewhat the crisis in the number of priests, but now they have to do something.

If more Catholics were willing to leave or at least hold back their money, other anti-progressive policies could change too.

Don't be fooled by the FOX News guy's PR campaign - the current pope is just as conservative as those who have come before him. Remember, despite his words, NOTHING has officially changed with church policy. Women are still considered 2nd class. Homosexuality is a sin. Etc., etc.

[drray23]

6. Interestingly enough there is already a small number

Of catholic priests who are married.. years ago, the catholic church had a program (dont know if they still do) whereas Episcopalian priests could join the catholic church. If they were already married they could stay married and yet be ordained by the vatican.

[drray23]

7. Here is an article about it.

https://cruxnow.com/church/2014/08/05/married-priests-and-the-catholic-church/

[The Sand Reckoner]

14. Exactly..this is nothing new in principle

But the Vatican's PR machine would like you to think so, as part of their campaign to paint the current pope as wonderfully progressive and open to change. He is not. Not in any way that matters.

[Doreen]

8. Actullaly under certain circumstance some priests are already married.

If I am getting this right, if a Lutheran pastor and I think also Episcopal pastor decides to change over to Catholic and they were already married they can remain married. This has been going on for awhile already though I am not sure how long. It just looks like they are expanding the rule for those who are not already married pastors. I think this is good. Now, if they would also do that for nuns because at this time I do not think women who are married can become a nun. What am I thinking this is the Catholic Church.

[Heddi]

9. I posted an article about this yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218245159

He's only suggesting a possibility of married me in rural areas where there is a priest shortage, not for most priests, and not for most areas.

[True Dough]

10. Sorry about that, Heddi

I glanced around and also did a keyword search for "pope" and "married" so it didn't pick up your thread title. Missed that.

[Heddi]

11. No problem --- not criticizing, just putting up an additional link

I think people are gonna be like SEE HE"S CHANGING but the caveats he's adding to the kind of sort of thinking about possibly maybe one day contemplating a change....

[No Vested Interest]

13. The Catholic Church has many deacons who are also married men.

I could see these men easily moving onto the next step of priestly ordination.
Deacons are empowered to baptize and perform wedding ceremonies, and to read the gospel and give homilies. Deacons do not hear confessions or say Mass.
The deacons have spent a number of years in preparation, studying at a seminary, presumably taking the same courses as those preparing for the priesthood.
It is my understanding that those deacons who are married take a vow or promise not to remarry should they be widowed.