Marriage and Priesthood

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer points out that more and more the faithful are arguing in contemporary society that priests should be afforded the right to marry. The writer discusses that many are associating the failings of Catholic priests in particular in recent years with the strict doctrines of the faith that forbid marriage and promote celibacy among priests. This paper explores the origins of marriage and priesthood by specifically examining the doctrines and belief practices of the Roman Catholic faith compared with the Orthodox Christian faith. The writer concludes that lack of marriage and celibacy among priests only serves to degrade priests and results in excessive stress and loneliness among a population who has embraced their occupation as a means of giving back to their community. Further the writer maintains that to deny priests the right to marriage is to deny them their logical human nature and the gift of marriage, as it is described in the Holy Bible.

Outline:
Introduction
The Rights of Priests to Marry
Conclusions
References

From the Paper:

"The issue of marriage and priesthood has been hotly debated for centuries in the Christian faith. The Roman Catholic Church is among few that support the notion that priests should remain celibate for life, a symbol of their sacrifice and ability to remain pure and spiritual representatives of God. Other faiths however including the Orthodox faith support more lenient attitudes toward marriage and priesthood, supporting marriage as a basic human right outlined by the bible, something that can be engaged in within the context of a spiritual and holy lifestyle. The Orthodox faith in particular supports the notion of equality within the faith community, suggesting that the role of priests include supporting the flock or followers but not holding priests to standards that are more or less stringent than those afforded the faithful as a whole."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cahill, L.S. (2003). "Marriage: Developments in the Catholic theology and ethics." Theological Studies, 64(1): 78.
• Chirban, J.T. (1996). "Personhood: Orthodox Christianity and the connection between body, mind and soul." Westport: Bergin & Garvey.
• Hoge, D.R., Shields, J.J. & Soroka, S. (1993). "Sources of stress experienced by Catholic priests." Review of Religious Research, 35(1): 3.
• Mihunovich, C.S. & Werth, A. (1955). Papal pronouncements on marriage and the family from Leo XIII to Pius IXX. Milwaukee: Bruce Publishing.
• Schoenherr, R.A. & Yamane, D. (2002). Goodbye Father: The celibate male priesthood and the future of the Catholic Church. New York: Oxford University Press.

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