CathNews reports that an unlikely source, soon-to-be-retired Cardinal Edward Egan, believes the question of celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church is an open one:
Outgoing New York Cardinal Edward Egan has said that priestly celibacy is not a closed issue and is "a perfectly legitimate discussion."This story gives a younger cleric one more reason to look forward to retirement. I have no plan or desire to marry when that day comes but I do occasionally muse over what I might say and write at that point in my life...
"I think it's going to be looked at, and I am not so sure it wouldn't be a good idea to decide on the basis of geography and culture not to make an across-the-board determination," the cardinal told Fred Dicker, state editor of the N.Y. Post and host of the Fred Dicker Show on 1300 Talk Radio in Albany.
Our Sunday Visitor reports that Cardinal Egan said that many Eastern Rite Catholic Churches allow married priests with "no problem at all."
"Is it a closed issue? No, that's not a dogmatic stand," he said, when Dicker asked if he had "any hesitancy about priestly celibacy."
-ConcordPastor
Too bad that Cardinal Egan has waited until his retirement to weigh in on the topic of celibacy in the priesthood. Although, the fact that he has and the weight that his being a cardinal gives to this subject, may encourage other clergy (who have in effect been silenced by Rome)to speak out. The conversation is long overdue. I would hope that you, CP, would join in the conversation before you retire!
ReplyDeleteVegas Vatican odds for 2050:
ReplyDeleteMarried Priests 3-1
Since it was that way in the early church, less theological whiplash is involved.
Female Priests 20-1
Probably inevitable, but longer odds since the whole paternalistic theocracy would have to open an entirely new interpretation of the law.
With that said, all it takes is one Pope.
*Sigh*
ReplyDeleteI really struggle with our church not having married clergy and women clergy.
And I struggle more with the latter not even being something that can be discusses more freely.
I pray for patience a lot.
CP,
ReplyDeleteWhat's your opinion on priests being allowed to marry?
Most likely, all the apostles with the possible exception of John were married men. In the early church, bishops were married men. For about the first 1,000 years of the history of the Catholic Church, priests were married. Ministers in the Orthodox Christian Churches and other Christian Churches are married. I have no reason to think that a married clergy isn't possible for the Roman Catholic Church. It will take time to adjust to and there will be problems, but problems with celibate clergy are not something we're unfamiliar with! I don't think that a married Roman Catholic clergy will solve our vocation crisis - but it might be a healthy step in the right direction. I am certainly in support of it although it's not something I would consider myself.
ReplyDelete