Celibacy: Church must be consistent

by Letters Editor · Published June 16, 2011 · Updated June 9, 2011

Tony Meehan, Cape Town

Soon after Vatican II, many priests obtained dispensations to leave the priesthood in order to marry. Having been laicised, they could no longer participate in any priestly ecclesiastical work or truly practise the discipleship to which they had been called.

In spite of the costly education and training and, in some cases, many years of experience, the Church downgraded capable and dedicated servants. In so doing, the faithful were denied their right to be evangelised by these God-chosen disciples.

If the Church believes that this is in keeping with Christ�s teaching, how does it reconcile the ordaining of a married Anglican and allow him to become a Catholic priest without penalty or restriction? I refer to your news article �Anglican father of eight on becoming a Catholic priest� (May 4). Surely, the Anglican reverend should comply with the rules of Catholic priesthood.

Moreover, if a married Anglican can become a priest, why not any other good, holy, dedicated Catholic married man? Is there something special or different in being a former Protestant minister who resigned his position because he could no longer subscribe to the rules of the Church of England, which allows women to be ordained?

There are many married Catholic men and laicised priests who would agree with the reverend on the impossibility of ordaining women priests. However, having taking this standpoint, would they be eligible for the priesthood or reinstatement for the former priests?

By moving the goal posts, the Catholic Church has, at least, a duty to offer the lifting of the laicisation to all those priests who were refused continuity of their vocations because they chose to marry.