Double trouble:
Married priests responsible for two families

There are those who would allow priests to be married. The Catholic Church has long held that priests must remain celibate. The reason is quite simple. In marriage, a man and woman vow to place each other second only to God. Each gives him/herself completely to the other.

A priest also takes a vow in the sacrament of Holy Orders. In this sacrament, the priest "is called to consecrate [himself] with undivided heart to the Lord…" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579). A married priest could find himself torn between a commitment to his family and to his congregation. In a very real sense, the congregation IS the priest’s family.

An example: Let us assume that Fr. X is married. As Christmas approaches, the wife of Fr. X asks him if it would be possible for the two of them to visit her family on Christmas Day. Her family lives six hours away.

What is the proper thing to do? Fr. X has taken a vow to honor and cherish his wife. They are one, and family is important. Yet, Fr. X has an obligation to his congregation, one that demands he share the holy day with them.

To allow the marriage of priests, the Catholic Church would have to change what is considered to be a significant element of the sacrament of Holy Orders:

Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. (Catechism 1579)

A married priest surely would find it difficult to consecrate himself "WITH UNDIVIDED HEART." It is true that the Eastern Orthodox Church allows married men to become priests (though they do not allow single priests to get married) and that the Roman Church will allow a married Episcopal priest to convert and become a Catholic priest while remaining married. However, the Church continues to emphasize the importance of celibacy even when there is a choice: "Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God." (Catechism 1580).

Furthermore, the Church would have to change the manner in which it instructs its members regarding vocations. In CCD classes and in Catholic schools, children are taught that they are all called to a vocation: single, married, OR religious life.

Then why do people seek to change the Church in this way? Simple. Our society has taught us that we cannot be happy alone. Recent statistics have shown that nearly 90 percent of all adults will marry at some point. Being single is depicted in movies and on television as an imperfect state. A single person is somewhat less than another who has found a mate.

But, is that a proper reason to change the Church’s teaching? Of course not! The Catholic Church is based upon a system of truth, not on the desires of society. Indeed, what makes being a Catholic difficult is the sacrifice involved. We often are forced to sacrifice what we most desire for the sake of what is good.

The call to allow priests to marry is a change that denies the truth as spoken in the sacraments for the sake of the desires of society. It is an attempt to make priests more similar to that 90 percent of adults who marry.

By remaining celibate, priests can enter into Holy Orders with an undivided heart, fulfilling the sacrament as it was intended.

On a personal note

Not too long ago, our parish priest, Fr. Gene Sweeney, spoke to our 10^th grade CCD class about the priesthood. One thing I and my class found interesting was his discussion about cloistered priests.

Imagine, if you will, becoming a priest or a nun who takes a vow of poverty and decides to live a cloistered life. You do not go out in public. You communicate only minimally with others. You make a living by perhaps making hosts for masses. Your every day is spent in silent prayer and work. Can you imagine any other lifestyle more conducive to wholly reflecting on God? I can’t.

Chris Mosmeyer
March 15, 1998

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