Married Priests Would "Function" Like Married Deacons

Friday, March 10, 2017 - original post; reposted 24 oct 2019

Married Priests Would "Function" Like Married Deacons

Pope Francis said he was open to ordaining married men to the priesthood today. 

If allowed, functions of married priests would need to be explored.  Note: Function is distinct from being (in persona Christi) and focuses more on practical actions.

One possibility, I think, is that married priests practically function like married permanent deacons.

1.) Most married priests would not be salaried like "full time" parish priests. 

Just as married deacons are expected to support themselves and their families, married priests generally serve in ministry.  Of course, they can be stipended for sacramental services like any celibate priest.  Married priests wouldn't be necessarily "full time" like permanent deacons.

They share in Christ's threefold office to teach, govern and sanctify.

2.) SANCTIFY: Primary responsibilities/functions of married priests would be to concentrate on providing Sunday Masses and Confessions.  Anointing of the Sick, too.  These 3 sacraments are unique to priests, whether married or celibate.  Deacons do not administer these sacraments.

Permanent deacons likewise uniquely function in the 3 major duties of baptisms, weddings and funerals.  Laity typically do not do these.  Of course, priests do these.  The idea is the same with married priests where they need to concentrate in the 3 sacraments of Masses, Confessions, and Anointing of the Sick. 

While married priests can surely undertake other important functions (like teaching a class or pastoral counseling), nobody else can provide the Sacraments of the Mass, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick.  These should be married priests' main functions at a parish.

3.) GOVERN: Canonically and/or juridically, maybe they should be "In Residence" or "Assistant Pastor" instead of as Parochial Vicar or "Associate Pastor."  They support the pastor.

Just as permanent deacons assume parish assignments, so too married priests would assume those parish assignments to keep the parish practically functioning.

4.) TEACH: Married priests focus on preaching.  Perhaps they can concentrate on marriage and family life in their preaching and catechesis.

St. John Chysostom said that where marriage is attacked the priesthood is attacked, and where the priesthood is attacked marriage will be attacked, too.  With the unprecedented, diabolical attacks on marriage and family -- the "final battle" as Sr. Lucia wrote to Cardinal Caffarra -- married priests today would defend marriage against the assaults of the evil one and his agents.

5.) Priorities of married priests (like permanent deacons): God, family, work, ministry.