Married Priests in the Amazon Means the Barn Door is Open
In those circles where such things are discussed, there is an explosion of commentary about the seemingly tiny recommendation recently to allow married Catholic priests in the remote Amazon basin. It also suggested women serve at higher levels than before. The reason given for this liberalization was that there is a shortage of priests there. Conservative Catholics know well there is a shortage of priests in many places and this excuse opens the door to a new world wide Church policy.
The conservative outrage was reviewed in the New York Times by the conservative Catholic columnist, Ross Douthat. Douthat interviewed and gave a glowing report on the obstinate conservative Cardinal Burke. The conclusion was there is nothing conservative Catholics can do about the earth shaking mistake of doing away with celibate priests and higher ranking women but to wait until there is a new Pope.
Another observer of the Amazon synod noted a couple of things that caused the meeting to be called. One is the growing popularity of Protestant churches in the area. These groups cater to the needs of locals while the Catholic Church caters to what its clergy need. The other is that, by reports from locals, women have been carrying out much of the work of the Catholic Church in the Amazon basin. If the Catholic Church does not grant them some official status who knows if they will continue. For its survival in the Amazon, the Catholic Church needs to allow married priests and empower women. One would think that was important to conservatives. It is not.
Another reason the synod was called to meet was the environmental crisis in the Amazon Basin. Mining companies have been denuding the Basin of forest. This, in turn, has changed the weather. The Pope, apparently, thought calling the synod would help energize his church to take strong stances against this dangerous development. Conservatives in the church, of course, are not very interested in this issue because it does nothing to enhance their own power and influence.
Hopefully, the Pope will live many more years and institutionalize the changes he champions.
there is nothing especially revolutionary about married clergy. does not touch on any fundamental dogma. more a matter of prudence than anything. sorry Jon nothing to make a big deal of . that said I don't think that for, some good practical reasons, it's a good move.
ReplyDeleteunknown "Sorry Jon nothing to make a big deal of. " I agree it's nothing to make a big deal of. But, millions of Catholics make a big deal of it including the New York Time columnist and Cardinal Burke.
Deletethey probably have some of the same objections that I do.
Deleteunknown The church needs priests in the Amazon Basin and everywhere else. Why do you object to married priests?
ReplyDeleteas I said, it's not a theological issue, it's a practical issue. can a priest in a large parish function well if he also has family obligations. it maybe OK in the Amazon but not in the US or elsewhere.
DeleteThere are other places in the world where priests marry. It seems to be working just fine. Same in the U.S. There are at least 120 married priests. No authority has said what you say, .."OK in the Amazon but not in the US or elsewhere." Priests and Popes were all married way back in history.
ReplyDeleteof course they were married way back when. and perhaps I should have said maybe OK in the Amazon. whether it's working out just fine may or may not be true. I think that in many parishes, large ones anyway, that married clergy would pose a very real problem. think about it.
ReplyDeleteUnknown "Think about it."
DeletePerhaps you should do the same. I'm thinking about it and don't understand why married priests would be a problem. Surely you would admit that when someone is married with children that person (priest) is talking to a member of the about marriage and family that priest would know more about those topics than one never married. It seems like you are saying preachers in Protestant mega churches do not put in as many hours and priests in large parishes. I don't believe you are correct about this.
Interesting how the politics of the secular and the religious seem one in the same. Both have liberals, conservatives, independents, the confused, lethargic, disinterested, et al. My understanding is celibacy became ecclesiastic law in the 1200’s CE. Before then the popes and prelates often married. It seems to me Pope Francis is demonstrating humility and practicality in his efforts to nurture his church. My opinion is the hierarchy must realize that the church is about the people it serves i.e. it’s organic nature, not solely about the infallibility of it’s inorganic components, namely it’s doctrine, dogma, and ecclesiastic laws. “Sometimes the past is not a storehouse of wisdom; it might be the product of sheer happenstance, or, worse, accumulated injustice.”, https://www.law.uchicago.edu/news/living-constitution .
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone needs to study the "TREATISE ON THE POWER AND PRIMACY OF THE POPE". 1537. Contained in the Book of Concord.
ReplyDeleteI thought I’d get some recommended reading for speculating as a non-theist on something I obviously know very little about. Thanks little helper but my opinion however ill-informed stands. Sláinte.
DeleteArdy; Ah but, You might find it surprisingly helpful. It is only about 15 pages. Available on line. Uffda.
DeleteArdy; You must remember; Atheism will not change the Catholic Church. Only solid biblical theology would. On the other hand, it's been 500 years with not much results, but one must consider how many Catholics are even aware, or have the courage to study anything antithetical to Rome. Indeed, in the past, they were forbidden to do so, and now they are afraid to do so. Then one must consider just how many have the interest to do so. My observation is; darn few. Comparative theology is an unknown / forbidden subject. How good can bacon taste if you've never tasted it, or told it was poison.
Delete