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Studies by some Catholic scholars, such as the Ukrainian Roman Cholij [31] and Christian Cochini, [32] have argued for the theory that, in early Christian practice, married men who became priests—they were often older men, "elders"—were expected to live in complete continence, refraining permanently from sexual relations with their wives.
In some Christian churches, such as the western and some eastern sections of the Catholic Church, priests and bishops must as a rule be unmarried men. In others, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, the churches of Oriental Orthodoxy and some of the Eastern Catholic Churches, married men may be ordained as deacons or priests, but may not remarry if their wife dies, and celibacy is required ...
They thus admit clerical marriage, not merely the appointment of already married persons as pastors. But in view of 1 Timothy 3:2 and 3:12 , some do not admit a second marriage by a widowed pastor. In these denominations there is generally no requirement that a pastor be already married nor prohibition against marrying after "answering the call".
The Roman Catholic Church should "seriously think" about allowing priests to marry, a senior Vatican official and advisor to Pope Francis said in an interview published on Sunday. "This is ...
While married deacons whose wives die are sometimes permitted to marry again, and married ministers of a non-Catholic confession who become Catholics are sometimes permitted to be ordained and minister in the Catholic Church, grants of dispensation from the obligation of celibacy without simultaneous laicization are very rare.
As of 2013, a minority in the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests support ordaining women to the priesthood and a majority favour allowing woman deacons. [103] In 2014, the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland stated that the Catholic Church must ordain women and allow priests to marry in order to survive. [104]
Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document released Monday explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking ...
Catholic Africa is increasing vastly in numbers, it has more priestly vocations than it needs for itself, and is sending its priests around the world—including to the U.S.—to fill in for the ...