Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church upholds clerical celibacy for all clergy in the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons. While the Vatican allows married permanent deacons to have sex, there has been confusion since 2005 regarding whether they may do so within marriage. In the Eastern Churches, a different discipline has been in force for centuries, with married men ordained as deacons and priests, while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates. In the Latin rite, unmarried deacons must adhere to celibacy, and married deacons are expected to remain celibate if their spouse passes away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church Position | Clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate. |
| Exceptions | Ordination to transitional diaconate and priesthood on a case-by-case basis for married clergymen of other churches or communities who become Catholics. |
| Marriage | If those for whom in some particular church celibacy is optional wish to marry, they must do so before ordination. |
| Eastern Catholic Churches | Follow the same rules as the Latin Church or require celibacy for bishops while allowing priestly ordination of married men. |
| Eastern Churches | Married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. |
| Latin Rite Catholic Church | Mature married men who intend not to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons. |
| Ordination | Married men may not be ordained as priests or bishops or even as "transitional deacons", nor may anyone marry after ordination. |
| Exceptions | Exceptions may be allowed for married Protestant ministers, including Lutheran or Anglican clergy, who convert to Catholicism and wish to become priests in the Catholic Church, provided their wives consent. |
| Age | Unmarried younger men may be ordained as Permanent Deacons, though they must adhere to celibacy. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Vatican allows deacons to have sex
- Clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate
- In the Eastern Churches, bishops are chosen from celibates, but married men can be ordained as deacons
- In the Latin Catholic Church, mature married men who intend not to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons
- Married deacons must be in a stable marriage and their wives must consent to their husband's ordination
The Vatican allows deacons to have sex
Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has allowed mature married men who do not intend to become priests to be ordained as deacons. These men are referred to as "permanent deacons" and are expected to remain faithful to their wives.
The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education states, "St. Ignatius of Antioch considers a Church without a bishop, priest, or deacon unthinkable... the ministry of deacons is nothing other than 'the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before time began and who appeared at the end of time.' They are not deacons of food and drink but ministers of the Church of God."
In the Latin (Western) Catholic Church, married men may not be ordained as priests, bishops, or even as "transitional deacons". If a permanent deacon's wife dies, he must remain celibate, as he promises in writing before ordination. However, there is no requirement for celibacy or perfect and perpetual continence for married permanent deacons as long as their marriage lasts.
In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the rules are the same as in the Latin Church, or they require celibacy for bishops while allowing the ordination of married men as priests. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy, celibacy is the norm for bishops, and married men may be ordained as priests, but even if their wives die, they are not allowed to remarry.
The issue of clerical celibacy has been a matter of debate within the Catholic Church. While some argue that celibacy is a sign of dedication to the Church and God, others point out that there is no clear evidence of a tradition or obligation of priestly celibacy before the fourth century.
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Clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate
Within the Catholic Church, clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy, celibacy is the norm for bishops, but married men may be ordained as deacons and priests.
In the Latin Church, or the Western Catholic Church, mature married men who do not intend to become priests may be ordained as deacons, and these are referred to as "permanent deacons". Exceptions are sometimes made for ordination to the transitional diaconate and priesthood on a case-by-case basis for married clergymen of other churches or communities who convert to Catholicism. However, ordination of married men to the episcopacy is excluded.
Married permanent deacons are not bound to observe perfect and perpetual continence for as long as their marriage lasts. However, if a deacon's wife were to pass away, he would remain celibate as he promises in writing before ordination.
The Catholic Church's position on the topic of deacon celibacy has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that there is no clear evidence of a tradition or obligation of priestly celibacy before the beginning of the fourth century. However, others point to historical and theological arguments that only perpetual continence, which married deacons and priests were required to practice in the early Church, is proper to the clerical state.
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In the Eastern Churches, bishops are chosen from celibates, but married men can be ordained as deacons
In the Catholic Church, clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church, with exceptions for the permanent diaconate. Ordination of married men to the episcopacy is excluded. However, in the Eastern Catholic Churches, a different discipline has been in force for many centuries. While bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice is considered legitimate, and these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities.
In the Eastern Churches, celibacy is held in great honour, and many priests have freely chosen it. However, it is not a requirement for ordination as it is in the Latin Church. This tradition of admitting married men to the priesthood and diaconate has been long-standing in the Eastern Rite Churches, and there is no historical evidence that it was mandated in the early Church.
The Latin (Western) Catholic Church allows mature married men who do not intend to advance to the priesthood to be ordained as deacons, known as "permanent deacons". These men must be spiritually devoted and active in the Church, and in a mature, valid, and stable marriage. Their wives' consent and support are necessary before ordination. Unmarried younger men may also be ordained as permanent deacons, but they must adhere to celibacy.
The permanent diaconate is a restoration of an ancient tradition in the Church, with deacons being specially configured to Christ, the "deacon" or "servant". They have particular responsibilities in the home, referred to as the "domestic Church". The diaconate is not just an additional role for a Catholic husband and father; it is a sacred vocation that requires a careful balance with family life.
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In the Latin Catholic Church, mature married men who intend not to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons
In the Latin Catholic Church, mature married men who do not intend to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons. These men are referred to as "permanent deacons". However, they must be in a stable marriage and their wives must consent to their ordination. If a permanent deacon's wife dies, he must remain celibate, as he promises in writing before ordination.
The Catholic Church mandates clerical celibacy for all clergy in the Latin Church, except for permanent deacons. The Latin Church allows the ordination of married men as deacons, but not as priests or bishops.
The tradition of clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church has evolved over time. While there is evidence that priests and deacons were married in the early Church, by the early 4th century, priestly celibacy was already in place. Emperor Justinian I declared all marriages contracted by clerics in Holy Orders null and void in 530, and the children of such marriages illegitimate.
The debate around celibacy for married deacons has been ongoing, with some arguing that it is improper for the clergy to engage in sexual relations. However, the Vatican has clarified that married permanent deacons are not bound to observe perfect and perpetual continence as long as their marriage lasts.
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Married deacons must be in a stable marriage and their wives must consent to their husband's ordination
In the Catholic Church, clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate. Exceptions are sometimes made for ordination to transitional diaconate and priesthood on a case-by-case basis for married clergymen of other churches or communities who convert to Catholicism. However, ordination of married men to the episcopacy is excluded. If a deacon intends to marry, it must be before ordination, as clerical marriage is not allowed.
In the Latin (Western) Catholic Church, mature married men who do not plan to advance to priesthood may be ordained as deacons, referred to as "permanent deacons". Married men may not be ordained as priests, bishops, or transitional deacons, and no one may marry after ordination. A deacon's wife must consent to her husband's ordination, and her support is required. If a deacon's wife dies, he must remain celibate, as he promises in writing before ordination.
The Catholic Church recognises that deacons have particular responsibilities in the home, referred to as the "domestic Church". The diaconate should not be compartmentalised from the rest of a deacon's life as a husband and father. If a deacon's ministry is perceived to take priority over his marriage, his family life will suffer.
In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the same rules as the Latin Church are followed, or celibacy is required for bishops while married men are allowed to be ordained as priests. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy, celibacy is the norm for bishops, and married men may be ordained as priests, but they are not permitted to remarry if their wives die.
In the Eastern Churches, a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen only from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate, and these priests are well-respected within their communities.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Latin (Western) Catholic Church, mature married men who intend not to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons. Deacons who are unmarried or widowed must remain celibate.
The man must be a Catholic who has received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion). He should be spiritually devoted, active in the Church, healthy, educated, financially stable, and registered in a diocesan parish. If married, the marriage must be mature, valid, and stable.
Deacons have three main responsibilities: assistance at liturgies, proclamation of the Gospel (including preaching), and the ministry of charity (such as prison ministry, food pantries, and pregnancy centers).
Yes, married men may become deacons in the Latin Rite Catholic Church as long as they intend not to advance to priesthood. Their wives must consent and provide ongoing support.
Yes, unmarried younger men may become deacons, but they must adhere to celibacy.
