Following this story, it’s interesting to see how the discussions about celibacy in the Catholic priesthood is starting to blossom… and they’re worried about money more than spiritual stuff. I understand what it’ll cost the parishioners to support married priests and their families, along with the fallout of any marital issues they may have but, as the article says, the Church is good at finding money when they need it.
It’s interesting that they bring this up – it makes me wonder which is the more costly thing: Paying more money in support of married priests… or paying out all that money to settle all the ongoing lawsuits?
Again, not being Catholic, I probably can’t really appreciate the impact of a married priesthood on the Church and its followers; I’m Baptist so married ministers are par for the course and often a better thing as seen in the eyes of a church’s membership – a family man has more credibility than a bachelor would.
Of course, the Church is just talking about opening discussions about this and no Papal edict has been issued or, as far as anyone knows, even thought about at this point. The article mentions that the Church is often seen as being way behind the times and out of touch with modern life – and even I can agree with this; they’re more about saving souls than they are about change and I’ve often wondered how any religious organization can continue to exist if they pretty much refuse to catch up with the rest of the world.
At the end of the article, it’s said that while marriage is seen as being good, being virginal is better as far as the Catholic Church is concerned. I don’t pretend to really understand this stance but given the high divorce rates around the world, there might be something to this. Still, the Church is going through a shortage of priests and they’re not putting as many people in the pews as before… and it could be due in part to the Church being woefully behind the rest of the world…
Kdaddy23's Blog 
lifeofalovergirl
15 September 2013 at 19:49
What about nuns? It seems only fair that they should be able to marry too, but I’m betting it will take the Catholic church a lot longer to come around on THAT than it does on priests. Allowing priests to marry would probably make a lot of people feel safer, what with all the scandal surrounding priests who were molesting young boys.
It would be a huge change for society, not just Catholics. I mean, imagine the Pope being able to marry and no more threatening to send daughters to a convent….lol It might even catch on with monks….who knows? 😉
Expecting a human being not to desire sex is holding them to an inhuman standard. However, I guess that’s the point. They are supposed to be above desiring the lusts of the flesh. Only no one really is. That is a really confusing attitude towards sexuality, making it “bad”, though that is something Protestants are known for as well.
LikeLike
kdaddy23
15 September 2013 at 20:10
From what I’ve read so far about this, nuns haven’t been mentioned and, yeah, maybe they haven’t been mentioned yet. Then again, you’re not hearing about nuns molesting anyone and bringing into question whether the lack of sexual release has turned them into predators like their priestly brethren. Religion, however, ain’t about being fair and I could see them allowing priests to marry… but not nuns.
Religion, on the whole, is against any sex that isn’t married sex…
LikeLike