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Question
I am a cradle Catholic and have always believed that priests had to be single. Anyway while talking with an old acquaintence I mentioned that our basic beliefs and ideals have stayed the same for 2000 years......he replied that the church has changed its position on married priests and that there are quite a few priests that are married. Also told me that the Pope has okayed the use of condoms, now I have found out why they did that with the AIDS epidemic. But I am not sure why they are ordaining men who are married. Can you please help me with this. I am a little embarrassed to have not known about either of those issues until I did an internet search.....
Thanks for any help or direction you can offer me.
Sincerely,
Becca
Hi, Rebecca:
Thanks for the questions and comments.
Your acquaintance, whoever he is, needs to do some serious study into the issues he is telling you about. I know that the Pope has NOT given any kind of statement that the use of condoms is ever morally acceptable.
The issue of married clergy is something that would take quite a bit of historical study, that is for sure. I can assure you, that as a regular and normal practice, the Latin Church is not ordaining married men. This is a disciplinary issue, to be certain, but clerical celibacy is being promoted in every way and manner by the Pope: this current one, and his predecessors.
The direction that I can offer you is to go check out a site such as www.catholic.com as I am certain that there are articles and links there that would help direct you.
You have to do your own study, and not rely on the misleading and inaccurate information this acquaintance has given you.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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