Catholic Priests

[Anordinarymum]

They should be allowed to Marry and if they are gay they should be allowed to have relationships. It's simply not fair to expect them to live celibate lives.

Do you want a debate or to make a random statement. Not sure what you'll get from this.

Who cares? They sign up to be told what to do by an infallible pope. I know, I’m an Irish Catholic.
If the pope says it’s ok to marry .. off they go. But until then ..

Of course they should it is a man made law from a time that is no longer relevant.
One of my good friends made an excellent priest but had to leave as his calling to get married and have kids was even stronger. It was definitely the church's loss.

I know the argument is without family, priests have no one to put before their parishioners. But i feel with a family, priests would be better able to understand and counsel their parishioners.

I'm not quite understand you opening paragraph though OP? Is it a question you have?

I just found out something upsetting about a priest I know who was kind to me and helped me at a very bad time in my life. I won't say anymore but I am sure people can work it out. I am just very sad.

What next? Nuns allowed to be pole dancers?

@Anordinarymum

I just found out something upsetting about a priest I know who was kind to me and helped me at a very bad time in my life. I won't say anymore but I am sure people can work it out. I am just very sad.

I hope you're ok.

People do have choices though.

@Jongleurterre

What next? Nuns allowed to be pole dancers?

There's a nun in my family and it was the scandal of the town when she wore a push up bra.

Stupid nonsense.

And yes, marriage, sex and children. Rather than the alternative that the Catholic church has ignored for too long.

Or just sex with whoever they choose to have sex with.

So much child abuse in the Catholic Church and although I know people have choices, they removed any form of choice and have to accept responsibilty for the fallout

It absolutely doesn't follow that allowing marriage eliminates paedophilia if that's what you're saying. I doubt there's a connection at all.

Much more likely that people with certain proclivities are attracted to certain lifestyles and the priesthood is one such.

I know an Anglican priest who is totally weird about sex. Keeps cheating on his wife.

But are you saying OP, that if they could marry - either a man or a woman depending on their sexuality that would prevent child abuse? Because they're obviously two very different things.

The desire/ calling to have a marriage and family (which I think can only enhance their role in the church) is not an alternative to paedophilic behaviour which is either mental illness or evil behaviour depending on your view point.

I think if the Catholic church allows priests to marry or to have same sex relationships, there would not be as many priests, and those who do have a true calling can concentrate on their vocation while having a happy private life.

So how many years of celibacy would cause you to fancy a 10 year old boy, presuming you’re a straight woman?

Sorry to be blunt on a delicate topic, but your logic needs a short sharp shock, I think.

To be honest I am not sure what I am saying. All I know is the Catholic Church is rife with historic child abuse and maybe just maybe if these guys were allowed to have a sex life some of it might not have happened.

I am not wanting to be controversial. I'm just talking

The act of grooming then abusing and raping a child has absolutely nothing to do with not being able to have sex because you've chosen and taken a vow of celibacy. You must see that? As a pp said professions where access to and unsupervised contact with children is the norm are often chosen by these creatures with a predilection for these terrible crimes. Not the other way round.
You do hear of priests either falling in love or having sex with adult parishioners and it's understandable. I am not sure if they're automatically defrocked but they probably are.
For me Catholicism is very problematic and so much damage has been caused. I think lots of its rules are are crazy and damage lives
But the failure to deal with the child abuse is the worst.

correlation does not equal causation.
there is also much child sexual abuse, and other forms of abuse among married clergy of other denominations.
also don't see why you think if RC priests could marry, there would be fewer of them. most people assume the opposite.
there is also abuse by school teachers, sports coaches, choir masters, scout leaders etc.

C of E abused children as well.
Then the sports coaches...

Paedophiles will seek to find roles which give them access to children.

If your idea is that these men raped children because they couldn't have sex with adults. That's really wonky.

You think that someone who is prepared to rape a child wouldn't be prepared to break their vows and have sex with an adult?

And of course plenty of priests have had partners, had babies etc etc.

If you want to change the rules take it up with the Pope. There are plenty of religions where you can devote yourself to God and also are allowed to marry etc.

Do you want RC nuns to be allowed to have sex and marry and have babies? I assume yes!

I grew up RC and I think globally they have done massive harm and continue to do so.

Have you considered that paedophiles were drawn to the priesthood because the RC church protected them, took no action against them, and continues to do so?

It's a vow of celibacy, not chastity.
Early priests were married, but it was banned because of familial claims on the property of the Church. Celibate priests meant no claims on Church property.

I think if you're angry and sad then you should direct that anger at the perpetrator and not the church. He had choices and wasn't forced to do what he did by anyone else but himself.

Priests don't become paedophiles. Paedophiles become priests.

(Obviously NAPALT)

@Anordinarymum

To be honest I am not sure what I am saying. All I know is the Catholic Church is rife with historic child abuse and maybe just maybe if these guys were allowed to have a sex life some of it might not have happened.

Except the abuse is with children, generally. A paedophile isn't going to not be a paedophile just because he's got a wife. He's probably going to fuck his daughter.

The fact that for many years, the church covered for its abusers is one thing, suggesting that sex and marriage would eradicate is fallacious.

It's simply not fair to expect them to live celibate lives

People don't have a right to sex.

Not being able to have sex with who they want does not lead to becoming a paedophile.

It is not a wife’s job to control her husband and prevent him from being a paedophile.

Paedophiles go in to jobs where they have access to children.

It takes years to become a priest. I know 3 brothers. They know what it entails. If they realise it isnt for them, they can leave. When enough do rather than have secret relationships the Vatican might look to make changes.

The bigger scandal for me is the lack of old age care / pension for parish priests. They’d be better off in an order.

And actually, there is so much abuse of women and children by MEN. Doesn't matter what their job or calling is. Is the solution to allow all men to have sex with whoever they want?