Catholics/Becoming a Priest

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 2/10/2009


Question
Dear Father Johnson,
Can an individual who was previously been arrested once having a small amount of an illegal drug but has now devoted his life to God become a Priest?

Answer
Hi, Jdawn:
Thanks for the question.
Christians in general are certainly not absolutely perfect, just forgiven.  Priests fall into the category of the baptized, and surely have had each his own past foibles and indiscretions of one sort or other, I am certain.
The matter you describe would have to be sorted out as part of the discernment process with the Vocations Director/Department of any particular Diocese or Religious Order.  I find it hard to believe, personally, that a man would be disqualified from Holy Orders in this day and age from ONE, SINGLE arrest for the possesion of a small amount of illegal drug.  As long as he was open and honest about the matter, and it was several years previous to his going into formation in a seminary or house of studies; and then he remains clean from actually repeating the behavior, or seems unlikely to repeat the mistakes, those in charge of his formation would make some sort of judgment as to whether to promote him for Holy Orders, all other things being equal with his peers.
To follow up on the matter further, you could ask a Vocations Department about this question; and they would likely be able to give you a more authoritative answer perhaps than I.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.