Hot Topic (12/27): Should Catholic priests be allowed to Marry? (w/ Poll)

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Catholic priest caught between love for a woman and love for church

 

In this 1999 file photo, Father Alberto Cutie speaks to his congregation during service at St. Patrick's Church in Miami Beach, Fla.

 

He is the priest with the girlfriend, caught by paparazzi on a Miami beach and now caught, he says, between love for a woman and his church.

Only the Rev. Alberto Cutie, a celebrity among Hispanic Catholics for his good looks, media savvy and advice about relationships, can't have both. As Cutie decides between clerical collar and wedding ring, he is sure of one thing: He doesn't want to be "the anti-celibacy priest."

The scandal enveloping Cutie since compromising photos of the couple hit the press May 5 has jump-started conversation about mandatory celibacy for priests.

But among Hispanic Catholics in the U.S., there is little appetite to change the status quo, polls show. That's significant because it differs from the views of more liberal white Catholics — and because Hispanic Catholics are a fast-growing demographic reshaping the U.S. church.

 

Hispanic Catholic opinions on celibacy and the Cutie soap opera provide a glimpse at some of the community's values. Among them: a respect for authority but tolerance when someone falls short and a machismo culture and love for family that both colors attitudes toward the priesthood and dissuades many Hispanic men from taking the vow.

Karla Benitez, 58, a Catholic who attends Mass weekly at a church in Hialeah, Fla., said she admires Father Albert's good works but feels he has failed his church and his followers.

Asked whether Cutie's case could lead to change in the church's celibacy rules, Benitez said she couldn't understand the correlation.

"This should reinforce the rules of the church, not challenge it," she said. "Why should this incident force us to tolerate this kind of behavior by the clergy? It doesn't matter if the rule was from God or not. A priest must be faithful to a promise they made."

 

 

What are your thoughts?

Should Catholic Priests be allowed to Marry?

[JillianF]

I think it is unnatural for an adult to abstain from sex.  I think their would be alot less problems with some of the molestation in the Catholic Church if priest were allowed to have a healthy sex life and get married.  I really don't think it makes them any less affective as a spiritual leader if they are married, in fact it might make them better leaders as they can relate to their parishners.  Just my thoughts.

 

[cherry41089]

yes they should and if I'm not mistaken the catholic church made that rule becuz when the priest died he would leave his property to his family(wife or kids) so the church made that rule so they would get the property.

[tericared]

Yes I think they should be allowed to marry.. 

[Goodwoman614]

Quoting JillianF:

I think it is unnatural for an adult to abstain from sex.  I think their would be alot less problems with some of the molestation in the Catholic Church if priest were allowed to have a healthy sex life and get married.

This is a serious misunderstanding.  Pedophilia has nothing to do with a priest's long term abstinence, or absence of a "healthy sex life." 

The molestation of children happens when a person who is a pedophile has access to children.  These sick individuals will often put themselves in positions that allow ease of access to children: teachers, coaches, clergy, etc.

[onecuteladybug2]

My understanding was that they didn't want to risk church property being left to descendants. I would think that if a pre-nup was involved, it would protect the interest of the church.

Quoting cherry41089:

yes they should and if I'm not mistaken the catholic church made that rule becuz when the priest died he would leave his property to his family(wife or kids) so the church made that rule so they would get the property.

[allycally]

It is my understanding that through the sacrament of holy order they commit their life to the church only,as do nuns...There are deacons who are married.A priest can always leave the priesthood if they cant give their whole selves to the church and worship of god.Also pedophiles are everywhere they are doctors,nurses,neighbors,etc...

[Goodwoman614]

Quoting onecuteladybug2:

My understanding was that they didn't want to risk church property being left to descendants. I would think that if a pre-nup was involved, it would protect the interest of the church.

Umm wtf?  So if you are going ot marry a catholic priest, you should be prepared to sign a prenup saying that when he dies, you won't contest the church getting all his property?

Quoting cherry41089:

yes they should and if I'm not mistaken the catholic church made that rule becuz when the priest died he would leave his property to his family(wife or kids) so the church made that rule so they would get the property.

[bakebiscotti]

I think the biggest reason I do not advocate for priests marrying is that they cannot be wholly committed to 2 things.  There is always the worry of family in the back of their minds.

There is some biblical foundation for it also.  Paul spoke of celibacy as a more perfect state from which to lead a holy life.  Celibacy in the Latin rite is a sort of discipline, the ability to devote one's life completely.

t]he unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife"

There really is nothing nefarious about the whole thing.

[morningdove831]

Quoting bakebiscotti:

I think the biggest reason I do not advocate for priests marrying is that they cannot be wholly committed to 2 things.  There is always the worry of family in the back of their minds.

There is some biblical foundation for it also.  Paul spoke of celibacy as a more perfect state from which to lead a holy life.  Celibacy in the Latin rite is a sort of discipline, the ability to devote one's life completely.

t]he unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife"

There really is nothing nefarious about the whole thing.

I tend to agree.  If a priest decides later he wants to marry, then he can always convert to the Anglican or Episcopal church, which are very similar in their tradition. 

[stormcris]

Yes, I think they should. It is an antiquated way for the church to amass property, and goes entirely against several biblical principles, which to me should make it wrong since that the governance of the Christian faith. They are not supposed to believe in birth control or divorce yet they force their priests not to marry and set the highest example.

Had to add: Many people are wholly committed to God then family under the ascribed umbrella in which God comes above the person and family below.