The Eucharist and Married Priests: Rising at the Vatican Synod

Beliefnet.com has the story here.

Stacy Meichtry of the Religion News Service reports:

As Pope Benedict XVI convened hundreds of bishops for the first synod of his young papacy Monday (Oct. 3), Roman Catholicism's global priest shortage loomed large, prompting renewed calls for the ordination of married men.

Although the proposal is not expected to gain Benedict's support, the fact that the subject resurfaced publicly underlined the desperate straits facing many bishops in some of the world's most priest-poor regions.

In a 52-page report read aloud before Benedict, Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice noted a range of issues facing the synod, including the concerns of some bishops who "put forward the request to ordain married faithful of proven faith and virtue, the so-called `viri probati,"' he said.

"Viri probati" is Latin for "proven men," a term used by Catholic theologians to describe older, married men who have proven their fidelity to Catholic doctrine through example.

Speaking at a press conference following a morning session of the synod, Scola appeared to reaffirm the Vatican's long-standing opposition to the proposal, calling the priesthood a "gift" to the church. Addressing the shortage, he said, is a "very long journey" for the church.

Now, I have no problem with married priests, if people wisely consider the consequences of this act for the Latin Church. Eastern Rite Catholic priests and Ordained Episcopal ministers that convert to Catholicism may be married men. In fact, Canon law and the Church's long-standing tradition are the only enforcers of a celibate priesthood. If the Church changed her custom regarding the eligability of married men for the priesthood tomorrow, I wouldn't bat an eye.

I would say this: people had better expect different availability and service from a married priest. He'll have two sets of vows to fulfill. He won't be nearly as available as, say, an unmarried priest would be. How could he? Married men generally have families to take care of.

Also, vocations grow among the more orthodox religious orders and prelatures. They're falling in less orthodox religious orders. Therefore, I'm not convinced that a married priesthood would necessarily increase the number of priests. Rather, I believe that the more the culture embraces the gospel, the more people will respond to their vocations to lives of service. Including the priesthood. Evangelization precedes the renaissance in priestly vocations being accepted. So, why are we still blustering about married priests? Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work: too many people need to meet Jesus Christ for the first time today! Time to make the introductions!