Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The New Priesthood . . .

has a wife.



This is a story about a transitional deacon in Kentucky who will, God willing, in a year be ordained a Catholic Priest owing to a little known canonical exception used to allow Episcopalian Priests who convert to Catholicism to also remain in the priesthood if they are married so long as they do not pastor a parish. The article says there are 70 such priests already actively in ministry within the church.

This may cause a firestorm of debate about celibacy and the priesthood. It certainly will bring us into interesting times.

Pax

4 comments:

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

70? There must be more than that, unless they meant in the Kentucky area.

I personally know 2 "married" priests who converted.

It does raise interesting questions. One here in my town is essentially the pastor, he's just not called that.

Unknown said...

There are a few priests I know who are great just the way they are, as celibate clerics. There are others who could benifit greatly from the influence of a woman in thier life.

I used to kid one priest friend that he needed a wife to knock off his rough edges and keep him in line.

Suzanne said...

Are you talking about Father Don?
Hee-hee!

Unknown said...

If a woman were crazy enough to marry him, one of them would be dead in six months. I'm betting it would be him, and she would get off for justifiable homicide.