Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church does not allow clerical marriage, with the Latin Catholic Church requiring clerical celibacy for the priesthood since the Gregorian Reform in the 11th century. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of married non-Catholic clergymen who convert to Catholicism and seek to serve as priests. Additionally, some Eastern Catholic Churches allow the ordination of married men as priests, although they are not permitted to marry after ordination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's stance on clerical marriage | The Catholic Church does not allow clerical marriage. |
| Exceptions | In some cases, the Catholic Church has allowed married men to become priests, such as in the case of married non-Catholic clergymen who convert to Catholicism and seek to serve as priests. |
| Ordination of married men | Ordination of married men as priests is allowed in some Eastern Catholic Churches. |
| Clerical celibacy | Clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church, except in the permanent diaconate. |
| Divorce | Generally, if a deacon or priest divorces his wife, he may not continue in ministry, unless the divorce is deemed to be the fault of the wife. |
| Deacon | Married men may be ordained as deacons in the Latin Catholic Church. |
| Priest | Married men may not be ordained as priests in the Latin Catholic Church. |
| Bishop | Married men may not be ordained as bishops in the Latin Catholic Church. |
| Marrying after ordination | Ordained Catholic clergy may not marry after ordination. |
| Other denominations | In some denominations, such as Anglican Communion and Lutheran, there are no restrictions on the marriage of deacons, priests, bishops, or other ministers. |
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What You'll Learn
Exceptions for married Protestant ministers converting to Catholicism
The Catholic Church does not allow clerical marriage, although some Eastern Catholic Churches do permit the ordination of married men as priests. The Latin Catholic Church has required clerical celibacy for the priesthood since the Gregorian Reform in the 11th century. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has allowed married Protestant ministers, including Lutheran or Anglican clergy, who convert to Catholicism to become priests, provided their wives consent. This exception is not available to ordinary married Protestants who convert but specifically to those who have already functioned as ministers before joining. This is because the Catholic Church considers Protestant ordinations invalid and does not recognise the ecclesiastical communities of many former Protestant ministers.
The Catholic Church makes a pastoral provision for the priestly ordination of former Protestant ministers, allowing them to continue pursuing their calling to ministry. This is especially prudent in the case of Anglican ministers who desire to become Catholic along with their parishes, as the minister has a special relationship with his parishioners that facilitates the full communion of the entire group.
However, it is important to note that even with this exception, a married former priest may not apply to be restored to the priestly ministry while his wife is still living. Additionally, the Catholic Church does not recognise the previous ordination of these ministers, and they are ordained upon their conversion.
While the Latin Catholic Church generally follows the discipline of clerical celibacy, some Eastern Catholic Churches allow the ordination of married men as priests. These include the Assyrian Church of the East, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and some Eastern Catholic Churches. However, even in these churches, married men cannot marry after ordination and must marry before becoming priests.
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Clerical marriage in Eastern Catholic Churches
The Catholic Church does not allow clerical marriage, meaning that Catholic priests cannot marry after ordination. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the Latin Catholic Church occasionally relaxes the discipline in special cases, such as the conversion of a married Anglican priest who wishes to be ordained as a Catholic priest.
Eastern Catholic Churches do not require clerical celibacy for the priesthood and allow the ordination of married men as priests. They require celibacy for bishops, but allow married men to be ordained as deacons and priests. However, they do not allow clerical marriage after ordination. This means that priests in Eastern Catholic Churches must marry before ordination and cannot marry again if their wife passes away.
The practice of allowing married men to become priests is not new and has been considered legitimate for many centuries. In the early days of the Catholic Church, priests were allowed to marry, and many were fathers of children. For example, Peter, the first pope, was a married man. However, the tradition of clerical continence developed into a practice of clerical celibacy from the 11th century onward.
The requirement of celibacy is not based on dogma but is an ecclesiastical law that was adopted in the Middle Ages. One reason for this was to prevent clerics' children from inheriting church property and creating dynasties.
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The theological reasoning behind priestly celibacy
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of priestly celibacy, with the Latin Catholic Church requiring clerical celibacy for the priesthood since the Gregorian Reform in the 11th century. While there are some exceptions, the general rule is that only unmarried or widowed men are accepted as candidates for ordination.
So, what is the theological reasoning behind this practice? Firstly, it is argued that priests, acting in the place of Christ, should emulate his chastity and devotion to the Church. By remaining celibate, priests more closely model and configure themselves to Christ, who was not married. This idea is supported by Scripture, specifically 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul recommends celibacy and urges ministers to abstain from "civilian affairs". Additionally, as Christ himself states, none of us will be married in heaven (Matthew 22:23-30), so by remaining unmarried, priests are also configured to the final, eschatological state.
Another justification for priestly celibacy is that it allows priests to be more focused and devoted to their ecclesiastical duties and service to the Church. By sacrificing married life for the "sake of the Kingdom" (Luke 18:28-30, Matthew 19:27-30), priests follow the example of Jesus Christ, who is symbolically married" to the Church, considered the "Bride of Christ" in Catholic and other Christian traditions.
Furthermore, the discipline of celibacy is seen as a form of self-giving and total dedication to God, enhancing the Church's moral authority. This idea is reflected in the Vatican II teaching that "man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." While some critics argue that mandatory celibacy distances priests from the experiences of their congregation, defenders claim that it allows for a more sincere and focused ministry.
It is important to note that priestly celibacy is not an unchangeable dogma but rather a disciplinary rule within the Catholic Church. The Eastern Catholic Churches, for example, often allow the ordination of married men as priests. Additionally, there have been calls within the Church for a new discussion and potential changes to the law of celibacy, demonstrating that this discipline is not set in stone and is subject to ongoing debate and reflection.
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History of the clerical marriage practice
The history of clerical marriage practice in the Catholic Church is complex and has evolved over centuries. While the Latin Catholic Church generally requires clerical celibacy, there have been notable deviations and varying interpretations throughout history.
Early Christianity
Some scholars argue that there is limited evidence of a widespread tradition of priestly celibacy in early Christianity. The first pope, Peter, and many subsequent popes, bishops, and priests during the Church's first 270 years were married men, and often fathers. However, others suggest that the apostles, including Peter, were married but expected to practice continence, abstaining from sexual relations with their wives during their service.
4th Century
The earliest textual evidence of prohibitions against clerical marriage and the requirement for clerics to abstain from sexual relations can be found in the decrees of the Synod of Elvira (c. 305) and the Council of Carthage (390). These decrees were reinforced in the Directa Decretal (385).
Middle Ages
The Gregorian Reform in the 11th century under the influence of Bernard of Clairvaux solidified the discipline of clerical celibacy in the Latin Church. This reform established the requirement for priests to be unmarried before ordination. However, it is important to note that this rule was not universally accepted or enforced, and resistance to imposed celibacy continued for centuries.
Protestant Reformation
During the Protestant Reformation, clerical celibacy was a point of contention. Reformers argued that the requirement for celibacy was contrary to Biblical teachings and implied a degradation of marriage. Notable Reformers, including Zwingli, Luther, and Calvin, married after ordination, and the married Thomas Cranmer became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
Modern Era
In modern times, the Catholic Church has maintained its traditional stance on clerical celibacy, with the Latin Church generally adhering to this discipline. However, there have been exceptions and deviations. In 2019, the Vatican acknowledged that the celibacy policy has not always been enforced and that secret rules were established to handle clergy who violated their vows. Additionally, some Eastern Catholic Churches allow the ordination of married men, and there have been cases of married former Anglican priests and Lutheran ministers being ordained after converting to Catholicism.
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Laicization and marriage
Laicization is the process by which a priest is granted dispensation from their obligation of celibacy by the Catholic Church. This may occur either at the request of the priest or as a punishment for a grave offense. Any subsequent marriage undertaken by the laicized former priest is considered a layman's marriage, not an instance of clerical marriage. However, such a married former priest may not apply to be restored to the priestly ministry while their spouse is still alive.
The Catholic Church generally does not allow clerical marriage, maintaining the discipline of clerical celibacy. This means that only unmarried or widowed men are accepted as candidates for ordination. An exception is made for married non-Catholic clergymen who convert to Catholicism and wish to serve as priests. In such cases, the Church may grant dispensations from the usual rule of celibacy, allowing them to be ordained while married.
Eastern Catholic Churches have allowed the ordination of married men as priests for centuries. In 2014, Pope Francis quietly lifted a 114-year-old ban on married Eastern Catholic priests serving outside their rite's home country, enabling them to serve in the United States. Additionally, there are already an estimated 120 married Catholic priests in the U.S., many of whom are former Episcopalians.
The practice of clerical marriage, allowing ordained clergy to marry, is admitted among Protestants, including Lutherans and Anglicans. Many Eastern Churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, while permitting married men to be ordained, do not allow clerical marriage after ordination. Their parish priests often marry but must do so before being ordained to the priesthood.
In the Latin Catholic Church, married men may be ordained as deacons, referred to as "permanent deacons," but they cannot become priests or bishops. Exceptions may be made for married Protestant ministers, including Lutherans or Anglicans, who convert to Catholicism and wish to become priests, provided their wives consent.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic ministers are not allowed to marry. The Latin Catholic Church has required clerical celibacy for the priesthood since the Gregorian Reform in the 11th century. However, there are some exceptions, such as the conversion of a married Anglican priest who wishes to be ordained as a Catholic priest.
Yes, Eastern Catholic Churches allow the ordination of married men as priests.
Advocates see clerical celibacy as "a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can more easily remain close to Christ with an undivided heart, and can dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and their neighbour."
