A Subtle Reminder:

There are Married Priests Already in the Catholic Church



This discussion always is tiresome for a number of reasons. I remember one person arguing against this vociferously and at the same time holding up the greatest priest she had ever met (who happened to be a married priest)--talk about disconnect! There are over 100 married Roman Catholic priest in the United States--so celibacy is already optional because Pope John Paul II has allowed for married priests in certian situations. So the "law" already has been overturned.



Married deacons (who have received holy orders) have been around since Vatican II. What is more they have been allowed to remarry with a special dispensation from Rome when a spouse has died and they have wished to marry again. This is broke with centuries of tradition of not allowing "ordained" men to marry.



Anyway here is a story about one such married priest in San Antonio.



From News 9 San Antonio | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES | SA priest speaks against Catholic celibacy doctrine:



"'My family consists of my wife, and I have five children,' Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church Rev. Christopher Phillips said.

He's not your typical Catholic priest. Rev. Christopher Phillips is one of about a hundred married Catholic priests in the United States.



Twenty years ago he served as an Episcipalian priest. That was before the Pope made an exception, allowing him into the church.

Rev. Phillips and his wife said marriage has served them and their church well."