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Question

Dear Father, 

I’m E., I’m Russian and I apologise in advance for my mistakes. I have a question about something that really worries me and it’s been several years already, but I can’t find the answer to it. Why don’t the  Eastern and the Latin Catholic churches  allow people who took the sacred order  to join in holy matrimony, according to the tradition and the sequence of sacraments?

Moreover, why is the matrimony contracted by a priest valid, but illicit? How does the church handle those cases in which a priest who received a reduction to lay state and contracted matrimony is allowed to return to the ministry?  w

Thank you, Father.  These are  personal questions that help me with my thoughts. (maybe: meditation or just reflection)

In Domino.

E.   

Answer

Dear E.,

  1. To the first question, I will answer by referring to Saint Paul’s words: “ Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach.” (1 Tm 3,2). According to the Church Fathers’ common interpretation, it means that a bishop did not go through a second marriage..
  1. The reason for this prohibition must be sought in the idea that second marriages, although allowed, were  considered as a sign of lushness. Moreover, they didn’t represent well the union between Jesus Christ and the Church, which is the union between one groom and  one bride.
    Says elsewhere Saint Paul: “For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cor 11,2). 

Here is the answer to the question:  the priest is a groom and the living image of Christ, Who is the only groom of the Church.  So, why should a priest get married, if he is already married? 

  1. Here, the word bishop is a collective noun that refers to both the actual bishops and the presbyters. Since the bishop represents Jesus Christ, he can’t sufficiently represent him  if he has two wives.
  1. This rule applies to the  deacons, as well : “Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.” (1 Tm 3, 12). 
  1. As concerns the second question, you have asked me what it means that if a priest gets married, he does it validly, but not legitimately. To tell the truth, he marries invalidly. Indeed, Code of Canon Law affirms: “Those in sacred orders invalidly attempt marriage.” (CJC 1087). 
  1. In your third question, you ask me how the Church tradition expresses Itself in consenting one who was reduced to lay state to resume priestly service. I have to admit that I don’t know the exact rules that the Church follows in these  cases. But, according to what I have seen during  my experience, I think I can say that the first condition for this person is to be unmarried, so not having a wife. The second condition is for him to be free from possible children, that is, he doesn’t have to provide for them because already independent. The third condition is that he must  show to live his life with seriousness and be able to be faithful to the ministry he is resuming, since the previous loss of the clerical state clearly demonstrated his infidelity to the ministry previously assumed,  Meanwhile, Saint Paul states : “Now, it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (1 Cor 4,2). 

I wish you all the best, I will remember you to the Lord and I bless you. 

Padre Angelo 

Translated by Giulia Leo