Priests to knock boots?

Fritz · 08-19-2003, 09:01 AM

http://www.msnbc.com/news/954371.asp?0cv=CB10

Milwaukee priests seek celibacy end

160 sign letter urging dialogue on Roman Catholic prohibition

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 19 — More than 160 priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee have signed a letter arguing that married men should be allowed to enter the priesthood. The letter marks the first time since the mid-1970s that a group of priests has spoken out in favor of loosening the rules on celibacy, said Dean Hoge, a sociologist at Catholic University of America.

“WE JOIN OUR voices to those of so many others at this time, voices urging that diocesan priesthood now be open to married men as well as to celibate men,” the letter said.
The priests hope the letter will prompt a dialogue about the issue of optional celibacy because of the shortage of priests, said the Rev. Tom Suriano, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Whitewater.
Catholic priests must take a vow of celibacy and the church forbids priest to be married.
The Rev. Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, said he would request that the letter be discussed by the Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, a subcommittee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will chair that committee, beginning in November, Silva said.
Archdiocesan spokesman Jerry Topczewski said Dolan did not attempt to stop the priests from circulating the letter. Topczewski also did not expect any fallout for priests who signed the letter.
Copies of the letter were mailed to 442 retired and active diocesan priests living in the 10-county archdiocese, and 128, or 29 percent, returned signed copies, the organizers said. Another 35 religious order priests signed copies.
“Given the present context of the scandals of the last several years, many see optional celibacy as something that needs to be discussed. It opens up the pool of candidates for the priesthood,” Silva said.

ice4277 · 08-19-2003, 09:23 AM

Wouldn't that fly in the face of what the priesthood represents in the Catholic Church? I can't see how it would get the approval it needs.

Alf · 08-19-2003, 09:25 AM

It would avoid hidden children and pedophily...

Fritz · 08-19-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alf
It would avoid ... pedophily

how?

ice4277 · 08-19-2003, 09:38 AM

Pedophiles will still be pedophiles, allowing them to be married would not 'cure' them of that.

CamEdwards · 08-19-2003, 09:46 AM

Yeah, it's not like priests right now think "hmmm... can't get married. Might as well bang a little boy."

Not being a church scholar, I'm not entirely sure of the reasoning behind the vow of celibacy, but I believe it was put in place in the middle ages. I've heard two reasons given: 1) to make it a little harder for the aristocracy to become priests, seeing as they'd have to forego family (what I learned in Catholic High School). 2) to help the Church accumulate wealth from unmarried aristocratic priests who willed their money to the Church, since they had no families.

I don't really have a problem with priests being allowed to marry. It's either that or one day replace priests with animatronic padres, since the number of priests is declining.

ScottVib · 08-19-2003, 10:37 AM

There actually are some married Catholic Priests. This is allowed when a married priest of another religion converts to Catholicism, they are allowed to practice in the Catholic church, while continuing to maintain a normal marriage (sex and all) with their wives.

ScottVib · 08-19-2003, 10:39 AM

dola, Celebacy became a requirement for Catholic priests in 1139. I always thought it was supposed to ensure that the priests were forever "pure".

MrBug708 · 08-19-2003, 12:46 PM

So, if "Civil Unions" are allowed....how will that fair on this issue?

Shkspr · 08-19-2003, 02:03 PM

Seems to me that we've already got a term in the Catholic Church for priests who marry. We call them "Protestants".

Tasan · 08-19-2003, 02:06 PM

No no no, its "Episcopalian"

CamEdwards · 08-19-2003, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tasan
No no no, its "Episcopalian"

Which is Greek for "priests who do it in the butt".

Fritz · 08-19-2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamEdwards
Which is Greek for "priests who do it in the butt".

I thought that was "Subby ."

Shkspr · 08-20-2003, 12:47 AM

If it's Greek, I imagine the "in the butt" part is assumed.

Chief Rum · 08-20-2003, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fritz
I thought that was "Subby ."

The "in the butt" thing sounds right, but Subby as a priest? Sounds like a pickup line.

CR

08-19-2003, 09:25 AM	#3
Alf Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rennes, France	It would avoid hidden children and pedophily... __________________ FOFL - GML - IHOF - FranceStats

08-19-2003, 09:46 AM	#6
CamEdwards Stadium Announcer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burke, VA	Yeah, it's not like priests right now think "hmmm... can't get married. Might as well bang a little boy." Not being a church scholar, I'm not entirely sure of the reasoning behind the vow of celibacy, but I believe it was put in place in the middle ages. I've heard two reasons given: 1) to make it a little harder for the aristocracy to become priests, seeing as they'd have to forego family (what I learned in Catholic High School). 2) to help the Church accumulate wealth from unmarried aristocratic priests who willed their money to the Church, since they had no families. I don't really have a problem with priests being allowed to marry. It's either that or one day replace priests with animatronic padres, since the number of priests is declining. __________________ I don't want the world. I just want your half.

08-19-2003, 02:06 PM	#11
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	No no no, its "Episcopalian" __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

08-19-2003, 09:23 AM	#2
ice4277 Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkley, MI: The Hotbed of FOFC!	Wouldn't that fly in the face of what the priesthood represents in the Catholic Church? I can't see how it would get the approval it needs.

08-19-2003, 09:38 AM	#5
ice4277 Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkley, MI: The Hotbed of FOFC!	Pedophiles will still be pedophiles, allowing them to be married would not 'cure' them of that.

08-19-2003, 10:37 AM	#7
ScottVib High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: My Computer	There actually are some married Catholic Priests. This is allowed when a married priest of another religion converts to Catholicism, they are allowed to practice in the Catholic church, while continuing to maintain a normal marriage (sex and all) with their wives.

08-19-2003, 10:39 AM	#8
ScottVib High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: My Computer	dola, Celebacy became a requirement for Catholic priests in 1139. I always thought it was supposed to ensure that the priests were forever "pure".

08-19-2003, 12:46 PM	#9
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	So, if "Civil Unions" are allowed....how will that fair on this issue?

08-19-2003, 02:03 PM	#10
Shkspr College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX	Seems to me that we've already got a term in the Catholic Church for priests who marry. We call them "Protestants".

08-20-2003, 12:47 AM	#14
Shkspr College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX	If it's Greek, I imagine the "in the butt" part is assumed.

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