Should Catholic Priests be allowed to marry?

BoozyBabe

& sorry for the bombardment, but my other thought?

Should Catholic priests be allowed to marry?

Personally I think they should be, & I even hear alot of the older generation saying this now.

I think the priesthood must be a very boring life, if they were allowed to marry, 1 I think there'd be a lot more people joining up for the priesthood, & 2, I think there would have been / would be less abuse of children etc.

Agree or disagree?

BoozyBabe

Oh, & what's your views on women priests, or do you have a view on this?

Pigman II

Does this include marrying men/other-priests as per poll #1?

Mossy Monk

yes they should be allowed marry

yes women should be allowed become priests. the priest is a dying breed in this country

biko

yes, yes, and yes (also including gay marriage rights thread)

BoozyBabe

Pigman II wrote:

Does this include marrying men/other-priests as per poll #1?

I guess so, why not?

Lux23

They could have separte orders for married and unmarried priests. But yes I think they should marry and I don't know why a woman would want to get involved in an organisation like the Catholic Church but if they want they should be able to.

Pigman II

BoozyBabe wrote:

I guess so, why not?

ok, and how about marrying a goat?

county

BoozyBabe wrote:

I guess so, why not?

lets not get carried away,this is the catholic church,this will never happen

Sleepy

The real question is: should people be allowed to become priests?

el tel

Asides from getting married, if priests were allowed to have sex, I'd say they get a whole lot of it. There'd be mile long queues around the parochial houses of Ireland. There are tonnes of middle-age priest goupies in this country who would love nothing more than to be touched by the sacred sausage before heading out to bingo.

BoozyBabe

county wrote:

lets not get carried away,this is the catholic church,this will never happen

Yea, I imagine we should try for one step at a time.

Goats????
Well it has it's advantages:- worst giving out it can do is baaa (or whatever type of noise a goat makes)

How would you describe the type of noise a goat makes?

Raiser

Its not commonly known or recognised, but the Catholic Church has always been in favour of priests being married - where it always seems to fall apart is their insistence on adding 8 yr old boys into the equation.

ashlynch

Yes I think they should, but I would say a major reason why they are not is because the church couldn't afford/doesn't want to finacially support wifes and children!!!!!

tbh

BoozyBabe wrote:

& sorry for the bombardment, but my other thought?

Should Catholic priests be allowed to marry?

yes. I think they should. They are councillors to Catholics with familys, and they advise on family life. IMO, they would be better able to do this if they had families themselves.

I think the priesthood must be a very boring life, if they were allowed to marry, 1 I think there'd be a lot more people joining up for the priesthood, & 2, I think there would have been / would be less abuse of children etc.

Agree or disagree?

well, I disagree with the fact that there would be less abuse of children. People who like sex with kids like sex with kids, its not a case of "give them somewhere else to stick it and they'll forget about kids". pedophiles join the church because it gives them access to power, and to children, and it puts them in a position of trust. Similar, I guess, to the spate of sports coaches that were caught abusing kids recently. Most of them were married, and it doesn't stop them. The only way to discourage pedophiles from joining the church is to let them know that if they do it, they'll be caught, and if they are caught, they will be punished.

tbh

BoozyBabe wrote:

& sorry for the bombardment, but my other thought?

Should Catholic priests be allowed to marry?

yes. I think they should. They are councillors to Catholics with familys, and they advise on family life. IMO, they would be better able to do this if they had families themselves.

I think the priesthood must be a very boring life, if they were allowed to marry, 1 I think there'd be a lot more people joining up for the priesthood, & 2, I think there would have been / would be less abuse of children etc.

Agree or disagree?

well, I disagree with the fact that there would be less abuse of children. People who like sex with kids like sex with kids, its not a case of "give them somewhere else to stick it and they'll forget about kids". pedophiles join the church because it gives them access to power, and to children, and it puts them in a position of trust. Similar, I guess, to the spate of sports coaches that were caught abusing kids recently. Most of them were married, and it doesn't stop them. The only way to discourage pedophiles from joining the church is to let them know that if they do it, they'll be caught, and if they are caught, they will be punished.

Pigman II

Pigman II wrote:

ok, and how about marrying a goat?

Goats can't give written consent


As for the poll, yes I think they should
since it says somewhere in the bible about men who can't mind their own families shouldn't be minding a parish, and because apparently the only reason they weren't allowed marry in the first place was because the church was losing ownership of land

Binomate

What kind of a stupid rule is that? why on earth shouldn't they be able to marry? It's almost as stupid as the no drawing muhammed rule in Islam.

thelordofcheese

AFAIK*, the priests not being able to marry was introduced way back in the day as means to stop the children of priests becoming the owners of church property [through inheritance]. It's perhaps a less sensible rule than the "no drawing Muhammad rule in Islam" because it's based on politics and retaining of power and status on earth, as opposed to having any real basis in faith.


[*= Once said, AFAIK automatically means there is about a 75% chance that I am wrong to some degree.]

St_Crispin

Binomate wrote:

What kind of a stupid rule is that? why on earth shouldn't they be able to marry? It's almost as stupid as the no drawing muhammed rule in Islam.

Do you actually know why that rule is there(the islamic one)?

As for priests, I think they should be allowed marry.

From the first letter of timothy chapter 3

This saying is trustworthy: 2 whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
2
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach,
3
not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.
4
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
5
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?




Of course, in the previous chapter he does say this

11
A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control.
12
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. 4 She must be quiet.
13
For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14
Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.
15
But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.



Women, know your place :P

netwhizkid

Yes I believe Catholic (Just to clarify) Priests should be allowed get Married and father Children if that should be their wish. There is no reason why Priests should be allowed live happy Heterosexual relationships like the rest of us. After all wasn't Clerical-Marriage allowed in the Church up until the 12th Century, when it was outlawed. I believe that the launch of "The Da-Vinci Code" film adaptation (if it is allowed that is by the courts and the copyright issues involved) will raise a lot of issues about the Church as it will bring the whole Idea of the church being based on lies into mainstream society. Whether the book is fact or fiction is debatable one thing is it will drive the Neo-Cons/Bible belters state side red mad. And will raise a lot of topics here too.

Kojak

I think the idea of celebicy/priests marrying should be optional to priests. They could marry if they wanted to or remain celibate

I realise that most, if not all, would choose to get married (or have a partner) but there could be a few who would want to keep it up.

St_Crispin

There was a survey done in the church a while back. When asked if celebacy wasn't compulsary, most priests said they'd remain celebate. And that they'd like the higher positions in the church to remain closed to ppl who hadn't taken that vow. The pope for example should be dedicated to God and God alone. He shouldn't have any distractions.
However, I think for a PP doinf parochial work, a family would be helpful.

monkeyfudge

No one is forcing them to become priests. If they want to get married... either don't become a priest or stop being a priest.

I don't get this... you either have faith in a religion or not. You shouldn't just pick and choose what bits you like and what you don't like...

If you think priests should marry, and women should be priests, and condoms are okay and divorce and abortion are acceptable...then really the Catholic church isn't for you... just find another religion... they're all pretty much the same anyway.

I just give up on the whole idea of religion altogether... or start your own.

St_Crispin

monkeyfudge wrote:

No one is forcing them to become priests. If they want to get married... either don't become a priest or stop being a priest.

I don't get this... you either have faith in a religion or not. You shouldn't just pick and choose what bits you like and what you don't like...

If you think priests should marry, and women should be priests, and condoms are okay and divorce and abortion are acceptable...then really the Catholic church isn't for you... just find another religion... they're all pretty much the same anyway.

I just give up on the whole idea of religion altogether... or start your own.

There church is a living entity (despite what some ppl say) it has changed over the years and will continue to change. SOme things will always remain the same. Homosexuality is unlikely to be accepted.

Priests marrying is different though. It is something that can change without fundamentally changing the foundations of the faith.

LegacyUser

Yeah, I think priests should be allowed to marry, and I think Nuns should be allowed to marry too.

ferdi

as someone who no longer practices the faith, i feel i have no valid opinion to give on this subject. i presume everyone who answered this thread is a practicing catholic otherwise i dont understand why they feel its their place to comment on the pratices/teachings of other peoples religion.

tbh

ferdi wrote:

as someone who no longer practices the faith, i feel i have no valid opinion to give on this subject. i presume everyone who answered this thread is a practicing catholic otherwise i dont understand why they feel its their place to comment on the pratices/teachings of other peoples religion.

its because we were asked ferdi. .

ferdi

we wernt asked specifically as catholics - who i feel are the only one's qualified to give an answer off any significance or relevance. i'm all for discussion, i just thought i'd make my point.

tbh

fair enough. I would say the majority of people who are commenting are either catholics, or lapsed catholics. IMO, lapsed catholics are exactly the type of of people who should be commenting (and the type of people the church should be asking) but I also understand the argument that the church needs to be unwavering. Its a shame, at the end of the day, the church should be a conduit to God, it seems to me all they do is turn people away.

St_Crispin

ferdi wrote:

we wernt asked specifically as catholics - who i feel are the only one's qualified to give an answer off any significance or relevance. i'm all for discussion, i just thought i'd make my point.

Next time I discuss the iraq war I'll make sure to change citizenship.

Unless you happen to be talking about actual qualifications. In which case are you talking about anyone with a degree in theology? Which would rule out most catholics.

Besides, catholics aren't allowed to change the rules either. Not your common or garden ones anyway. Only the pope or bishops can. I guess they're the only ones qualified to.

As a side note it's amazing how many catholics (at least in ireland) don't actually know that much about their religion. They have no idea of all the dogma and doctorine involved. Most haven't even read the bible.

Karoma

Yay for gay priest marriages!

ferdi

St_Crispin wrote:

Next time I discuss the iraq war I'll make sure to change citizenship.

Unless you happen to be talking about actual qualifications. In which case are you talking about anyone with a degree in theology? Which would rule out most catholics.

Besides, catholics aren't allowed to change the rules either. Not your common or garden ones anyway. Only the pope or bishops can. I guess they're the only ones qualified to.

As a side note it's amazing how many catholics (at least in ireland) don't actually know that much about their religion. They have no idea of all the dogma and doctorine involved. Most haven't even read the bible.

i think these a difference between war and married priests dont you?
back in your box.

tbh

ferdi wrote:

i think these a difference between war and married priests dont you?
back in your box.

he's got a point ferdi. I like talking about football, but I'm no midfield general.

ferdi

i see the point he is trying to make but its so flabby, stupid and weak that all the other points bully it and call it names.

angelbaby

Of coarse priests should b allowed to get married. It's so pointless that they can't.

I dont know very much about the church but in all fairness why would anyone have bothered makin up such a stupid rule.Was it sum **** years n years ago or sumtin?I just tink its pointless!

monkeyfudge

I think the idea is that they are supposed to be completely devouted to god and the church, and having a wife and kids would be a distraction from that.

bluto63

ashlynch wrote:

Yes I think they should, but I would say a major reason why they are not is because the church couldn't afford/doesn't want to finacially support wifes and children!!!!!

this is my point exactly...

the catholic church couldnt afford to support any families of the church.

I do agree thought that something has to be done in order to bring more priests into the church...maybe allow them to have sex? although technically thats cheating because they marry the church, another reason why they cant marry...

If you havnt guessed i voted no

monkeyfudge

bluto63 wrote:

I do agree thought that something has to be done in order to bring more priests into the church...

Free iPods for all newly ordained priests.

mandz

Yes i think they should be allowed to marry. As already said i think it would have reduced the abuse to a certain extent, you don't as much of it in the protestant church.

As for female priests, i think we'll see priests marry before women are ordained.

St_Crispin

ferdi wrote:

i think these a difference between war and married priests dont you?
back in your box.

Back in my box? I was making a valid point. You don't need to be an american to discuss the war in iraq. You don't need to be a footballer to discuss a match. These are discussion boards. People discuss many things. And for what it matters, I did make very valid contributions to this thread.


And for one more contribution. Afraid I can't post a source for this as I read it in the irish times and I don't have a subscription. But we are not having a shortage of priests in this country. We are at still above prefamine levels. There has infact been a surplus of both priests and churches in ireland in the last century. The catholic church are closing down churches now that were only around for a generation or two.
So if in a few years priests are allowed to marry, there won't be as many to support.

slipss

Yeah I think priests should be allowed to get married, but I would reckon 80% of
priests are probably gay and the catholic church is against homosexuality so its a bit of a catch 22 style thing.

R0ot

Isn't the reason their not allowed to marry is because the church doesn't want the priest to be passing on land owned by him to his children???

St_Crispin

R0ot wrote:

Isn't the reason their not allowed to marry is because the church doesn't want the priest to be passing on land owned by him to his children???

If I remember correctly, it was one of a series of measures that were used to bring the rank and file of the church to heel anter a couple of heresies in the 11th century. I'll look it up later, but I'm pretty certain it was after a particular heresy in the south of france.

Bodhidharma

It isn't a matter of them being "allowed"to get married. If you are an extremely holy person (whatever that means), you have a choice. You can decide to become a priest, with all that entails, or you can stay the same person, without the title of priest and get married.

Being a priest is dedicating your life to the catholic church and its followers. If you want to get married you cannot be a priest.Buddhist monks dont get married, not because of some "law" but because they have other priorites.

The problem with the catholic church isn't priests getting married. Its attracting good priests who understand their role. Those people who talk about priests getting married assume that if they are allowed to it will end the sex scandals, it wont.

Wanted Man

Yes...but only to supermodels...

mandz

Bodhidharma wrote:

Those people who talk about priests getting married assume that if they are allowed to it will end the sex scandals, it wont.

I wouldn't say it will end them just look at the amount of regular joe soaps involved in the same thing. I'd just like to think it might reduce them.

I think the church should take a business view of things. If you're business is going down hill you take stock of where you're going wrong and how you can improve it -business strategy. I think the church needs to do this and see how it can evolve with its followers instead of falling out of touch with them. I'm not saying change completely but there are a few areas that could be eased up on and it really needs to work on it PR to improve what people think of it

Siogfinsceal

they definately should. Being celibate is not natural for most people. They are panicing that there is no young priests but why would any young man want to become one if it means being aloe, never having a loving relationship, marraige kids etc.

ZiabR

I totally agree with the OP. Priests should be allowed to marry and have a family. Women should be allowed to become priests. This would attract people to join the priesthood and also would stop these terrible stories we see and hear about of the abuse people have suffered.

The priesthood at the moment is a disgrace which is why i have disowned religion.

Siogfinsceal

yup. Cant condone a church that says that sex is not a batural act its wrong. Im still a cathloic to me but I dont go to church

connundrum

Meh, only if its to other priests... or priestesses. I support female priests by the way