Should Priests Be Allowed To Marry

[sp1814]

Cardinal Keith O’Brien says that priest should be allowed to marry.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priests-should-be-allowed-to-marry-and-have-sex-says-britains-top-catholic-8507564.html

This would be a pretty major change, bringing Catholic priests in line with their Anglican counterparts.

Good idea?

(PS. Cardinal Keith O’Brien is vehemently opposed to same sex marriage, but happily, he seems more flexible on this change to a 'centuries old tradition').

[BlueToffee]

Most definitely YES.

How can a pastoral leader, without the experience of family life, be expected to guide, comfort, councel and help their flock?

[Sparkles62]

I think that they should be allowed to marry, they have feelings and should be entitled to a 'normal' family life.
Maybe if they were allowed to marry, there would be a lot less sexual frustration, and a lot less trouble and scandal when they relieve their frustrations.

[ludwig]

Of course. I don't think Jesus ever said people shouldn't get married. It was probably just a stupid idea some gay bloke had a few centuries ago and managed to convince everyone that he had god's full backing for it.

[BlueToffee]

Wasn't Jesus supposed to have been married to Mary Magdalen Ludwig?

[Baldric]

Is it just a coincidence this comes up around the time of the gay marriage debate?

[ludwig]

// Wasn't Jesus supposed to have been married to Mary Magdalen Ludwig? //

Yes, exactly.

[ludwig]

// Is it just a coincidence this comes up around the time of the gay marriage debate? //

Probably not. Also not a coincidence that it comes up around the time of numerous sex scandals in the catholic church and declining numbers of people wanting to be priests.

If all of that helps to drag the catholic church into the 21st century then so much the better.

[seekeerz]

yes !!

[atalanta]

In the Orthodox church, priests may be married if they are parish priests. However, if they are ambitious to be bishops, archbishops, (or whatever ), they stay single. Seems a sensible compromise to me.

[andy-hughes]

Ironically - because the number of men entering the priesthood is falling ever more rapidly - no surprise there! - the Catholic church will accept Anglican converts who are married with familiies - how does that work exactly?

If you are a priest - you cannot marry, if you are married - you can become a priest.

Odd - but that's religion for you!

To answer sp's question - Should Priests Be Allowed To Marry? Only if they love each other!!!