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Cradle Catholic with a lot of questions; such as, why am I just figuring this stuff out now?

December 19, 2010

Catholics priests can be married too…

What?  Yes.  Officially the Church permits to be married under the following circumstances:

  • Ex-Anglican priests - under Pope John Paul II, a special dispensation was allowed for the ordination of married, Anglicans that decided to convert to Catholicism
  • Members of one of the Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome.
  • Widowers - following the death of a wife a man can become a priest
There have even been married popes, starting with St. Peter.  (Mark 1:30 states “But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.”) Records are very limited regarding Saint Peter and other married popes through the ages.  However, it was recorded that Saint Hormisdas, who was pope from 514 to 523, was married and a father to Saint Silverius.  Saint Silverius later followed in his father’s footsteps to become pope from 536 to 538.  The last reported married pope is thought to be Pope Adrian II (867-872).  He was married before he ascended the papal throne, and refused to adopt celibacy or renounce his family after being elected pontiff. 

References: Teach Yourself Catholicm by Peter Stanford and Catholic Q&A: All You Want To Know About Catholicism by Father John Dietzen

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