Did anyone know...there ARE married Catholic Priests?

[WebmasterAlex]

Apperantly they will make an exception if you convert from another religon and already have a family. There are supposedly a 100 or so catholic priests across the country that are married and have families. I just find it kind of wierd that if you convert it's ok but otherwise forget it.

 

[UncleKyle]

I agree Alex...very weird...wish they would change that

 

[catsrule]

yes, I knew this. If something happens to the spouse they aren't allowed to remarry, I don't think.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, I did.

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's a new one to me. Is there an article somewhere?

 

[catsrule]

I went to a Catholic school, this is where I knew this from.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by catsrule
I went to a Catholic school, this is where I knew this from.

Me too, that's where I learned it, but I know I learned it before you did, MJ. LOL

 

[caitycaity]

yes, i did.

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

Quite honestly, I don't think I knew that. Wow, that's interesting. And strange. Hmmmm.

So what if a priest left the priesthood, converted to another religion, got married, and then converted back to the Catholic Church? Could that happen, or would the "re-conversion" not be allowed?

I guess I don't really understand why Catholic priests aren't allowed to get married in the first place. Especially with this weird loophole where some are allowed.

 

[catsrule]

Yes Dan, you did know before me, but not by too much.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I had no idea and I amd a little shocked. It is too bad that they are not allowed to marry because the priest who married me was taking care of 4 different parishes and could use the help.

I'm sure if they were allowed to marry, there would be more interest in becoming a priest. It looks like a good job and the BOSS seems pretty nice. Think of where you are sure of retiring

 

[Pin Wizard]

I knew this about Eastern Rite Catholics. But I was also informed way back there somewhere to be sure when I registered in a parish, make sure it's Roman Catholic, not Eastern Rite or any other type.

 

[Nutsy]

That is strange & weird too.............

I'm not Catholic, but I do reckon those priests should be allowed to marry & lead normal family lives just like the rest of us.......

 

[snoopy]

I went to Catholic school too, and didn't know this.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, we once had a priest in that situation. No, they are not allowed to remarry if the spouse dies.

 

[helenabear]

I knew of a priest at a church I went to now and then that was married.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I heard this on the radio edition of 60 minutes. They interviewed a bishop and he said the church and he was asked if this could be an experiment to allow more married priests. He said this has actually been going on for a very long time so it wasn't an experiment but that they were watching "closely"

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Link to the story

 

[PamOKW]

I did know this but I have never actually met such a priest. My understanding was that it only applied to Episcopal priest who converted to Catholicism. They were priests before they converted and the religions are very similar in many aspects. The primary reason was to get priests who will serve in areas that are sorely lacking in priests. Some areas have 1 priest serving several towns. This was a way to encourage more priests.

As mentioned, there are other religions that have priests and these men can be married. This is common in both the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox religions. I learned that one in high school when a classmate mentioned her father the priest. After we put our eyes back in our heads we learned something new.

 

[PamOKW]

So what if a priest left the priesthood, converted to another religion, got married, and then converted back to the Catholic Church? Could that happen, or would the "re-conversion" not be allowed?

No. Several problems with a priest leaving, marrying and then trying to come back to the Catholic Church. However, aside from that, the policy only applies to men who are Episcopal priests who are already married and then convert. A married lay Episcopalian could not become a married priest.