Your Question: Why are catholic priests not allowed to marry and yet they are supposed to be able to give marital advice?
Does being married automatically make one’s marital advice better? Think of it this way: does any person who counsels another about a certain experience have to have gone through the particular experience themselves in order to offer advice and support? Sure, it can help. But it’s not necessary, right? In fact, our world is filled with examples of this. A judge can give decisions on numerous cases with which he or she has no personal experience. A psychologist can help those who are suffering from depression, without having experienced it for himself/herself, right?
Priests are called upon to walk with people through all sorts of things. Deaths, sicknesses, joys, and trials that span all kinds of life situations. Just like any other person offering counsel, it doesn’t mean they have to have gone through the same situation to be able to offer some perspective and care. Sometimes, it can even help to be an outside observer, who can lend some clarity to an issue that the couple cannot see themselves. Priests are called to be the presence of Christ to those who are struggling, not necessarily to have all the answers.
Additionally, priests share in the experiences of a multitude of people. They learn from the experience of those who have come before them in the 2000 year history of our Church, as well as the many experiences they have with their parishioners today.
Also, the priest is often there to explain to couples what the Sacrament of Matrimony is. In the Sacrament of Matrimony, the couple gives the sacrament to each other through the proper rites and dispositions. But the definition of that sacrament is given by the Church. So, if someone wants to be married in the Catholic Church, a priest can certainly explain to them what it is they are agreeing to enter into.
Finally, a priest doesn’t act alone. For example, most marriage preparation programs include witnesses and teaching by married couples, in addition to the meeting with the pastor. Also, most priests will have a list of professional marriage counselors and other resources that he can offer to a couple.
When a priest takes a vow of celibacy, he is promising his life to the Church and to not marry another person. This is what is called a “discipline” of the Church, meaning that it is the custom that evolved in the western church, though it has always held a place of honor and meaning in Christian history. This happened because, among other reasons, it is a sign of fidelity to God that speaks to the world. When a priest vows his life to the Church in this radical way, he is speaking a “yes” to total, lifelong commitment. He is ensuring that he is always free to follow God’s will in ministering wherever he is needed. In a world where commitments are often broken, promises are no longer kept, and a vow is no longer a vow, this commitment our priests make should be a beautiful reminder to all of us that we are to be faithful in our commitments, whether religious or married. Whatever our vocation, all of us need God’s grace to live out our commitments, and we ask the Lord that He helps us to live them well.
Priests are called upon to walk with people through all sorts of things. Deaths, sicknesses, joys, and trials that span all kinds of life situations. Just like any other person offering counsel, it doesn’t mean they have to have gone through the same situation to be able to offer some perspective and care. Sometimes, it can even help to be an outside observer, who can lend some clarity to an issue that the couple cannot see themselves. Priests are called to be the presence of Christ to those who are struggling, not necessarily to have all the answers.
Additionally, priests share in the experiences of a multitude of people. They learn from the experience of those who have come before them in the 2000 year history of our Church, as well as the many experiences they have with their parishioners today.
Also, the priest is often there to explain to couples what the Sacrament of Matrimony is. In the Sacrament of Matrimony, the couple gives the sacrament to each other through the proper rites and dispositions. But the definition of that sacrament is given by the Church. So, if someone wants to be married in the Catholic Church, a priest can certainly explain to them what it is they are agreeing to enter into.
Finally, a priest doesn’t act alone. For example, most marriage preparation programs include witnesses and teaching by married couples, in addition to the meeting with the pastor. Also, most priests will have a list of professional marriage counselors and other resources that he can offer to a couple.
When a priest takes a vow of celibacy, he is promising his life to the Church and to not marry another person. This is what is called a “discipline” of the Church, meaning that it is the custom that evolved in the western church, though it has always held a place of honor and meaning in Christian history. This happened because, among other reasons, it is a sign of fidelity to God that speaks to the world. When a priest vows his life to the Church in this radical way, he is speaking a “yes” to total, lifelong commitment. He is ensuring that he is always free to follow God’s will in ministering wherever he is needed. In a world where commitments are often broken, promises are no longer kept, and a vow is no longer a vow, this commitment our priests make should be a beautiful reminder to all of us that we are to be faithful in our commitments, whether religious or married. Whatever our vocation, all of us need God’s grace to live out our commitments, and we ask the Lord that He helps us to live them well.
posted by staff | 4:41 PM
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