Most people probably assume that Catholic priests cannot be
married, but this is not necessarily so. The Western Rite of Roman
Catholicism banned marriage of priests at the Second Latern Council
in 1139. Until that time there were many married priests, bishops,
and even Popes (as were the majority of Jesus’ disciples). Some
scholars feel that this change to canon law was made for financial
reasons, to keep church property from being passed along to the
families of priests upon their deaths.
Most people probably assume that Catholic priests cannot be married, but this is not necessarily so. The Western Rite of Roman Catholicism banned marriage of priests at the Second Latern Council in 1139. Until that time there were many married priests, bishops, and even Popes (as were the majority of Jesus’ disciples). Some scholars feel that this change to canon law was made for financial reasons, to keep church property from being passed along to the families of priests upon their deaths.
But there are married Catholic priests in good standing in the United States today. One group, numbering around 100, consists of former Episcopal priests who objected to changes adopted by their church in recent years and who were reordained into Roman Catholicism while being allowed to remain married to their wives.
A larger group is made up of priests belonging to Eastern Rite Catholic Churches (such as Ukrainians, Maronites, Chaldeans, and Melkites), churches which acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope but follow their own ancients traditions, including liturgies and the institution of married priests (but not bishops).
The matter of mandatory clerical celibacy is not church dogma, not an essential of the faith, but simply a rule of discipline, one which is being increasingly questioned. Some people pointed to the role of priestly celibacy during the recent scandals concerning sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic priests.
But more people question the requirement of celibacy because of the enormous shortage of priests in the U.S. today. For example, the number of men in the U.S. studying to be priests in diocesan seminaries has fallen from 17,000 in 1970 to 3,400 in 2001. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. Catholics continues to grow, and churches are being closed or forced to share priests.
Some advocate allowing Roman Catholic priests to marry in order to meet this need for more clergy. An estimated one-third of all priests in the U.S., more than 20,000, have been suspended by Church authorities and can no longer officially minister to Catholics.
A non-profit group known as CITI, headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, has been working for a decade to change this church law and allow priests to marry. Through their website they offer the services of Roman Catholic priests who have been suspended to people who are in need of their ministry.
According to a story in the “Birmingham News,” a man ordained a priest is a priest for life. The church does not recognize any subsequent marriage, but suspends him for the attempt. “A priest never loses his ability to perform [the sacraments] – he loses his permission to perform,” explains Father Richard Donohoe, moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Birmingham.
Members of CITI across the country fill the need for priests when asked: celebrating Mass in private homes, hearing confessions, performing baptisms, and ministering to Catholics who request their services for whatever reason. To learn more about this organization call 1-800-PRIEST9 or check the internet at www.rentapriest.com.
