married priests and nuns

[Guest JeffCR07]

aren't you all just so sweet :

Oh, and I'm 20 by the way...and yes, Anselmian clergy.....mwahahaha :

[Norseman82]

[quote name='dandy777' date='Jan 11 2006, 10:26 AM'] Man are social beings and they need to companionship and love. [right][snapback]852844[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Which is why "can I handle celibacy?" is one of the major factors in discernment. One of the most memorable homilies I've heard is the one a seminarian gave (I know, technically that is a liturgical abuse) on "Seminary Sunday" in which he stated the hard part of celibacy is not the physical self-control, but getting to your 40s and 50s and seeing people your age with children and grandchildren.

If one knows he can't handle celibacy, the priesthood is not for him. .

[Krostandt]

On some previous questions, yes Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics may get married. With Byzantine in the United States, however, this is often much more in theory than in practice due to earlier quabbles with the Latin clergy especially in the beggining of last century. However, even in the east, celibcy is recognized as something to attain to, but few can reach. Paul speaks of this in his letters to the Corinthians I believe. Also, most Eastern Rite Catholic bishops will not allow a jurisdiction transfer due to a desire of such. (BTW, I think St. Photius argued against manditory celibacy, not for it. Perhaps I misread someone's post). While that's said, even in Orthodoxy, although priests are held in the highest regard, this is a vocation that is not often encouraged due to the difficulty and judgement that one will bear upon his soul. Thus,it is just as difficult with a family. However, as Norseman, said so well, if one cannot handle celibcy then the a celibate vocation is not for him. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong, but God is directing him elsewhere and this is one of the beauties of marriage.

[Myles Domini]

[url="http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0212/opinion/davies.html"]Celibacy in Context by Maximos Davies[/url]

A good article that I feel is relevant to this discussion