Thursday, December 19, 2019

Norms v. Dispensations for Celibacy & Married Priesthood: Editorial

While maintaining celibacy in the Latin rite as a norm, the Holy See would grant dispensations under Canon 1047.2 with petition of the local bishop (or bishops conference) to ordain some married deacons to the priesthood after a fruitful diaconate and suitable formation that is on a case-by-case basis.  Both celibacy and continence would thereby be dispensed by the Holy See for viri probati married deacons ordained to the priesthood in the Latin rite.  Celibacy would remain the norm along with these exceptions canonicially granted by the Holy See by decree:

1) Pastoral Provision
2) Ordinariate 
3) Viri Probati Dispensation: Married deacons ordained to the priesthood where the local bishop determines a need (diaconate would thus be a true stepping stone to the priesthood)

Ordaining Viri Probati married men in the diaconate to the presbyterate is the best way forward without abolishing celibacy as the general norm.

The Church taketh away, but the Church also giveth.

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