Question:

Question from Jim in CT: Now that the Church has welcomed Anglicans and their married priests, should the Church welcome back its own married priests?

 

Answer:

A timely question, Jim:

When I joined VOTF 8 years ago, my only agenda was VOTF goals, which could be a lifetime avocation given the glacial response speed of our Church. Maybe the question should be will our Church ever succumb to global warming and consider inviting married priests back to ministry?

Why is this question asked if VOTF does not challenge doctrine? Mandatory celibacy is only a discipline imposed officially centuries ago. Surveys report the majority of U.S.Catholics would accept married priests. We do now. There are around 100 former Protestant clerics working in American ministry as Catholic priests. Married former Anglican priests can now become Catholic priests. Though our Roman rite does not allow married priests, the other Catholic Church rites do. I've learned a lot about the universal Church as a Ch. of Voice of Renewal/lay education.

Why the need to consider asking married priest back? Opportunity for access to Eucharist is shrinking. The number of priests available to our Catholic population is declining. By aligning pastor slots with available priests we are closing some active parishes. Is combining small faith communities into "megachurches" the solution? At this juncture, if my plainspoken Irish Nana were around, she might say "It is as plain as the nose on your face, girl.....we need priests.....if somebody had a call to be a priest, let them.