Priesthood, Marriage, And Laicization

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1734429' date='Dec 23 2008, 04:09 PM']How is it different... I can understand each case being handled differently depending on the circumstances, but that is not my question.

What is the dispensation dispensing that would prevent a valid marriage?[/quote]

Oh, I see what you asking there. The Church can only dispense people from disciplinary regulations, and from promises and vows (diocesan priests make promises; religious priests take vows). When a priest is laicized, he is dispensed from his promises of poverty, celibacy, and obedience to his bishop. It's his promise of celibacy that is preventing him from entering a valid marriage, not the fact that he is ordained.

[CatholicCid]

Ok, yes, that was the brunt of my question. Much thanks.

Though, why can a permanent Deacon then not re-marry after his wife passes? Would it be common for one to petition such a thing?

I assumed the vow of celibacy was involved, but it seems odd that we can allow a married clerical state (permanent deacons, Eastern Catholic priests) if they are to marry beforehand, but not allow them to re-marry afterwards without quite a process. Any thoughts/reasons as to this?

[CatherineM]

I was thinking of a situation where a permanent deacon's wife died leaving him with several small children. I'd think the bishop would want him to remarry.

[cappie]

a priori impediments to the priesthood are divided into "irregularities", which are permanent unless removed by the competent authority and "simple impediments" which may pass with time without action of an ecclesiastical authority. Canon Law also lists various impediments to the exercise of a priesthood that has already been conferred. The bishop can remove most irregularities and simple impediments, except for those involving public apostasy, heresy, or schism; abortion or murder, even if in secret; and existing marriages. Irregularities that cannot be removed by the bishop can be removed by the Holy See.

Once someone is ordained in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church they cannot contract a valid marriage.

A priest can return to the active ministry if after a period of discernment the bishop with the agreement of the Holy See. All previous marriages must be declared null, or the spouse must have died. In the case of a deceased spouse, most bishops require that the children be raised to adulthood before the man can undertake active ministry again.

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1734594' date='Dec 23 2008, 09:50 PM']Ok, yes, that was the brunt of my question. Much thanks.

Though, why can a permanent Deacon then not re-marry after his wife passes? Would it be common for one to petition such a thing?

I assumed the vow of celibacy was involved, but it seems odd that we can allow a married clerical state (permanent deacons, Eastern Catholic priests) if they are to marry beforehand, but not allow them to re-marry afterwards without quite a process. Any thoughts/reasons as to this?[/quote]

I think permanent deacons either promise chastity or only make the two promises of poverty and obedience. If you asked at Catholic Answers (I'm sure it's come up on their forums many times), you'd probably get a more official answer, but the discipline of sacrificing the option to re-marry has existed for deacons and priests in the Eastern Churches since well before the Schism. I believe it's simply a matter of ordained ministers being called to a greater fidelity to God and the Church. Remember what St. Paul says about married people being concerned about their spouse and family while the unmarried are free to concern themselves purely with serving the Lord. While he did write those words expecting a more immediate return of Christ, there is still truth in them.

Obviously it's not that marriage is "bad." It is a good and wonderful vocation. Ordination is an even greater and more wonderful vocation. Choosing either vocation involves some level of sacrifice in the other and the Church disciplines are simply reflecting that fact.

[quote name='cappie' post='1734616' date='Dec 23 2008, 11:23 PM']Once someone is ordained in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church they cannot contract a valid marriage.[/quote]

That isn't true though, because a laicized deacon or priest is still ordained, but he is free to contract a valid marriage. It has to be the promise celibacy that is preventing valid marriage.

Edited December 24, 2008 by LouisvilleFan