Joshua Bennett
Leaving the Catholic priesthood is a complex process, both emotionally and procedurally. It is often considered taboo within the Catholic community, and priests considering leaving may find it challenging to discuss their thoughts and intentions with their peers. The decision to leave the priesthood is typically driven by personal reasons, such as the desire to pursue romantic relationships or marriage, which is forbidden for most Catholic clergy due to their vow of celibacy. While a priest can leave with or without undergoing the laicization process, those who wish to remain within the Catholic Church, receive the sacraments, and marry within the Church must seek laicization. This process can be lengthy and involves the loss of clerical status and certain rights and obligations associated with the priesthood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the priesthood is taboo | Discussing leaving with other priests is perceived as sinful |
| Seeking emotional support | Seek support from people who are not brainwashed with Catholic fundamentalism |
| Laicization | A priest can leave with or without going through the laicization process |
| Laicization involves cessation of all the rights of the clerical state | |
| A laicized priest is no longer obligated to keep his promises, including his promise of celibacy | |
| A laicized priest is prohibited from delivering a homily, acting as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and other functions | |
| A laicized priest is still able to perform the sacraments | |
| Removal from clerical state | A priest may be removed from the clerical state for a serious criminal conviction, heresy, or similar matters |
| A priest may be removed from the clerical state as a penalty or it may be granted as a favour at the cleric's own request | |
| Bishops can secure the removal of clerical status from priests who have abandoned their ministry for more than five years |
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What You'll Learn
The taboo of leaving the priesthood
Leaving the Catholic priesthood is a taboo subject, and even discussing the possibility with other priests is perceived as sinful. This is because the priesthood is seen as a sacred calling, and leaving it is considered a rejection of God's will. Priests who consider leaving the priesthood often feel isolated and unable to discuss their thoughts and feelings with their colleagues or superiors. They may fear being ostracized or judged by their peers and may even be concerned about their physical safety if they choose to leave.
The Catholic Church teaches that ordination confers a sacred character on a priest, enabling him to act in the person of Christ. This is believed to be a permanent change, and once ordained, a priest is always a priest, even if he leaves the active ministry. This belief adds to the taboo surrounding leaving the priesthood, as it suggests that a priest who leaves is turning his back on God.
In addition, the Catholic Church requires celibacy of its priests, and a priest who wishes to pursue a romantic relationship may feel that he has no choice but to leave the priesthood. This is because the Church views celibacy as a sacred vow, and breaking this vow is seen as a serious matter. A priest who leaves the priesthood to marry may be perceived as putting his own desires above his commitment to God, further contributing to the taboo surrounding the subject.
The process of leaving the priesthood, known as laicization, can be lengthy and complex. It often involves a loss of rights and privileges associated with the clerical state, such as the ability to deliver homilies or hold certain teaching positions. A laicized priest is also prohibited from wearing clerical garb or using titles such as "Father." These restrictions can be challenging to adjust to and may further deter priests from leaving the priesthood.
While the taboo of leaving the priesthood is strong within the Catholic Church, it is important to recognize that it is not insurmountable. Priests who have left the priesthood have shared their stories and experiences, providing support and guidance to others considering the same path. Seeking emotional support and connecting with others who have left the priesthood can help priests who are struggling with their vocation find the courage to make the difficult decision to leave.
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Finding emotional support
Leaving the Catholic priesthood can be an isolating experience, and finding emotional support is crucial for those who choose to leave. Here are some ways to find emotional support during this transition:
Connect with Like-Minded Individuals
It is important to find a support system outside of the Catholic Church. Seek out individuals who can provide an unbiased perspective and will not judge or shame your decision to leave. Look for support groups, either locally or online, specifically for individuals leaving the priesthood. These groups can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to share your experiences and connect with others going through similar struggles.
Seek Counselling
Consider seeking professional counselling or therapy to help you process the complex emotions that may arise during this transition. A therapist can provide a confidential and non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings. They can also help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and strategies to manage any challenges you may face during this time.
Explore Spiritual Alternatives
Leaving the priesthood doesn't mean abandoning your spirituality. Explore other spiritual paths or practices that resonate with you and can provide a sense of community and support. This could include attending services at different churches or exploring other faith traditions that align with your current beliefs and values.
Build a Secular Social Network
Start building a social network outside of the Catholic Church. Join social clubs, volunteer groups, or community organizations that align with your interests and values. These connections can provide a sense of belonging and support as you navigate life outside of the priesthood.
Confide in Open-Minded Loved Ones
If you have family members or close friends who are open-minded and supportive of your decision to leave, lean on them for emotional support. Share your thoughts and feelings with them, and ask for their encouragement and understanding. Their love and acceptance can be a valuable source of strength during this transition.
Remember that leaving the Catholic priesthood is a unique and personal journey, and it's normal to experience a range of emotions. By actively seeking emotional support, you can navigate the challenges and embrace the new opportunities that lie ahead.
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Laicization and the loss of clerical state
Laicization, also known as the loss of clerical state, is the removal of a bishop, priest, or deacon from their status as a member of the clergy. This act is performed by a legitimate authority and results in the cleric being juridically equivalent to a layperson. While laicization does not affect the power of orders, it prohibits the individual from exercising their sacred ministry within the Church, except in extreme situations where they may encounter someone in immediate danger of death.
In the Catholic Church, laicization can occur through three primary means: a judicial sentence or administrative decree that declares the invalidity of sacred ordination; a penalty of dismissal imposed for a crime specified in church law; or a rescript or letter from the Apostolic See for a priest who wishes to leave active ministry and live as a layperson, either with or without marriage.
The process of laicization involves the cessation of all rights, privileges, and obligations associated with the clerical state. This includes the loss of offices, roles, delegated powers, and financial support from the Church. Laicized individuals are also typically dispensed from the obligation of celibacy and may be permitted to marry. However, they are prohibited from holding certain positions or teaching in Catholic educational institutions.
Historically, laicization occurred more frequently among minor clerics who married or joined the military without permission. Voluntary laicization can also occur when a cleric requests to be removed from the clerical state for personal reasons, such as the intention to marry. Involuntary laicization, on the other hand, can be imposed as a penalty for grave offences or ecclesiastical crimes, such as blasphemous communications or the sexual abuse of minors.
The length of the laicization process can vary, and it may be necessary for those who wish to continue within Catholicism, get married, and receive the sacraments. While laicization severs the individual's legal connection to the clergy, the sacramental character of ordination is indelible, and once ordained, a person is permanently marked as a priest.
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Permission to marry
However, there have been exceptions and loopholes to these rules. For example, in the Eastern rites of the Church, it is common for married men to be ordained as priests, and there are a few married priests in the Latin rite who were converted from other faiths. Additionally, some priests have left the Catholic Church without permission and married outside the Church.
If a priest wishes to marry and continue within Catholicism, he will need to be laicized, which can be a lengthy process. The term "laicization" refers to the process by which a priest is dispensed from the impediment of ordination, allowing him to enter into a valid marriage. While a priest can receive permission to leave the active priesthood, receiving permission to marry is more difficult and rarely granted.
The decision to leave the priesthood for marriage is a complex and personal one. Some priests may struggle with the harsh realities of celibacy and feel called by God to live a different life. Seeking emotional support is crucial, but finding understanding within the Church community can be challenging. Ultimately, the choice to leave the priesthood and seek permission to marry requires careful discernment and a clear intention to embrace a new life path.
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Returning to the lay state
Leaving the priesthood is a complex process, and it is considered taboo within the Catholic Church. It is important to note that once a priest has been ordained, he is always a priest in a metaphysical sense, even if he leaves the active ministry. This is a distinction that must be understood between the metaphysical fact and the canonical status of a laicized priest.
The process of leaving the priesthood and returning to the lay state is known as laicization, dismissal, defrocking, or degradation. It involves the removal of a priest from their status as a member of the clergy. Laicization is often requested by the priest himself for personal reasons, most commonly the intention to marry, as celibacy is a requirement for most Latin Church clergy. While laicization releases the priest from the obligation of celibacy, it also comes with the loss of rights associated with the clerical state, such as the ability to deliver a homily, act as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, or hold certain teaching or administrative posts.
To initiate the laicization process, a priest must have a theology that allows him to leave and the internal resources to create a new life. He should also seek emotional support from people outside his immediate priestly circle, as his bishop, superior, and priest friends may not validate his desire to leave.
While laicization releases a priest from his promise of celibacy, it does not invalidate the sacrament of Holy Orders. This means that even after leaving the priesthood, a former priest can still validly absolve sins in emergency situations and administer the Sacrament of Confession to the dying. However, the scandal of breaking the promise of celibacy remains, and the faithful may question the priesthood and their own commitment to their vocations.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving the Catholic priesthood is often considered taboo, and a priest will likely not receive support from other priests or the Catholic community. The first step is for the priest to have a theology that allows him to leave and to perceive that he has the internal resources necessary to create a new life. The priest can leave with or without going through the laicization process, which can be lengthy.
Laicization, also known as loss of clerical state, is the removal of a priest from the status of being a member of the clergy. A laicized priest returns to the lay state and is no longer obligated to keep his promises, including his promise of celibacy.
A laicized priest loses rights to clerical garb and titles, such as "Father". He is also prohibited from delivering a homily, acting as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and having a directive office in the pastoral field. Some of these limitations may be relaxed according to the judgment of the local bishop.
While it is considered a contradiction to the Church's teaching that "you are a priest forever", a priest who has left can be reinstated in the sacred ministry with the consent of the pope.
