What's wrong with welcoming back married priests?

The February Sounding Board by married priest John Horan called on the Catholic Church to welcome back married priests. The following is a sampling of reader's responses to the article.

"LET'S WELCOME BACK married priests" is a practical solution to the growing, if not dire, need for a sufficient number of ordained ministers to serve the People of God. Every poll of the faithful offers clear proof that the people are eager for this to happen, that they see no God-given reason for the limitation of the priesthood to single, celibate, male members. It is the papacy and hierarchy who are disinclined to heed the wisdom of the faithful. Perhaps they believe the Holy Spirit is reserved for their number and enlightenment.

I do believe it will change, but don't hold your breath waiting! The swell for change continues to build, but it is not a tidal wave and shouldn't be, for such a powerful force is destructive. No, we need to pray the change--really, the changes (women)--will come about out of conviction, not necessity.

When people (government, church, society) resist change long enough, the situation becomes a crisis. When delayed further, it becomes panic.

Supplying post-change rationales lacks the true energy convictions ever rely on. This change must come from conviction, and that is the purest gift of the Spirit.

Father Mark Franceschini, O.S.M. Denver, Colo.

The problem in this country is not lack of priests, but lack of vocations. Instead of applying a Band-Aid to the problem, why not go to the root? There may be pros to a married clergy, but I think the cons by far outweigh them. If you are totally true to your chosen vocation, how can you juggle two? If a priest chooses to leave his vocation for marriage, then apparently there was not enough love for his job.

If we Catholics sincerely prayed for vocations, there wouldn't be this problem. Are we truly praying for vocations--or are we too busy complaining? Think about it.

Michael J. Arellano Houston, Texas 

Horan contributes to the discussion, which is going on throughout the world, on the need to look at the rule of obligatory celibacy in the light of the divine command to eat the flesh of the Son of Man. We all believe that the Eucharist is at the center of our Catholic faith and life.

I for one believe that the gift of celibacy is given to some and that should be honored and supported. At the same time there are many who are called to the priesthood but who do not feel the call to a life of celibacy.

Bishop Raymond A. Lucker Diocese of New Ulm, Minn.

The first or second ecumenical council determined that a married man may be ordained to the priesthood, but a priest may not then marry after ordination. If he wishes to, then he must be released from the ordination vows to return to a non-priestly state. To reject the canons of the church's ecumenical council would be to reject all of our history, bending it to whichever cause is popular.

The Protestant ministers were never priests, regardless if they were Anglican or not, until ordained by the Catholic Church. I support the pastoral provision extended to married Protestant ministers who request to become Catholic priests, but we should keep in mind that not all such men are accepted.

Daniel Joseph Barton Fayetteville, N.C.

A heartfelt thanks to Horan for his thought-provoking article about our married priests, the tragic loss of their gifts to us, and the sinful wrong that is done to them (and us) in having to choose one call over another. Thanks to Horan and all our married priests who suffer this separation while working for ordination of all people who hear God's call to priesthood.

Lisa Marcelletti Rochester, N.Y.

Horan's statement that "one time-honored premise--that celibacy is not essential to the priesthood--is currently being applied inconsistently" seems to me to be in error. I can agree that celibacy is not essential to the priesthood and that celibacy only became a "rule" in the 11th century; this is fact. What is not fact is that the situation of a married Protestant minister who converts to Catholicism is the same as that of a Catholic priest who marries.

Original promises by the celibate Catholic priests--to be celibate while being a priest--cannot be negotiated without their active status as Catholic priests ending.

We might solve the problem of priestless parishes by readmitting those who have chosen to break their vows of celibacy, but would that be a good thing? There are reasons for celibacy.

Of course, it is not an easy life, but it is one they freely chose. Have we strayed so far from commitment that there are no young, or not so young, men out there willing to commit their lives to God?

Ann Josefy Highland Haven, Texas 

The answer to more priests is not to compromise the priesthood by allowing priests to be married (or women to be priests); they are married to the greatest bride of all--the church. I think the answer lies within ourselves.

If more Catholics showed their love for their priests and helped more with the parish duties and included their priests in their lives and prayed for them just like a regular family member, I don't think we'd have such a problem with priestly vocations.

John Hughes Woodbury, Conn.

I took a leave of absence from my Oblates of St. Francis de Sales community and eventually added marriage to my ordination. There are over 20,000 married priests in the church today. If we were utilized even in a limited way, there would be no parish community without the Eucharist.

The ministry of the universal church would only be enhanced by welcoming back those of us who are married.

Philip Cerrato North, Va.

The discussion of married priests never seems to mention the fact that there are many married Catholic priests throughout the world (in full communion with Rome and not converts) in the Eastern Rites. It amazes me how some only think of the Latin Rite when they discuss this issue.

Some say, "How can a priest have a family? Who will support him and his family? Will he be able to fully give of his time? What if he and his wife don't get along? What if his children turn out bad?" and so on. Why don't we just look to the Eastern Rites for some insight into those questions.

The Eastern Rites have (almost) always had a canonical option for a married priesthood. I doubt that the faithful in the Eastern Rites would say their priests are less priestly because they are married.

The argument against a married priesthood that a man will not be able to give fully of his time is nonsense and condescending. It is an insult to every married man and woman who has worked in fulltime ministry in the church.

Perhaps the shortage of priests we perceive is the Holy Spirit calling us to devise new paradigms for discipleship, priesthood, and ministry. I don't think changes in our current models will happen in my lifetime, because they are too threatening to the current inherited system perpetuated, coveted, and protected by those in power.

Name withheld Long Island, N.Y.