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What If...

Catholicism and Marriage

The current beliefs of the Catholic Church suggest that to reach a oneness with God one must enter into celibacy. However, what if the Pope announced one day any of the following, what would be your reaction and the general reaction of the church:

1. Marriage is no longer recognized, all must enter into celibacy

2. All priests, nuns, monks, cardinals and the pope may now be married

3. There is another branch of clergy that can operate like priests, but are allowed marriage, priests can still choose not to marry.

Lastly, do you feel that celibate clergy who have never married can give advice to those who are married?

If What

1. Marriage is no longer recognized, all must enter into celibacy
No one would accept this save for a very few.

2. All priests, nuns, monks, cardinals and the pope may now be married
I am sure a lot would rejoice.

3. There is another branch of clergy that can operate like priests, but are allowed marriage, priests can still choose not to marry.
Honestly, I do not see this too far off in the distant future and I dare say it may even happen after the current Pope.

What If... Catholicism Studies

1. Marriage is no longer recognized, all must enter into celibacy
I think that Catholism would all but disappear into the pages of History.

2. All priests, nuns, monks, cardinals and the pope may now be married

I believe that for the most part the older ones would refrain, but as new ones come in they will accept it easier.

3. There is another branch of clergy that can operate like priests, but are allowed marriage, priests can still choose not to marry. I think that would go by pretty good. I think that more people would go to that branch and the need for priests would slowly fade away.

If What

I am Catholic, but I burn every time I hear about a priest molesting children. I go up in smoke when I hear how the leaders of the church have protected these molesters. These actions confirm to me again and again that celibacy is not normal and has its penalties to society.

My wife calls me a cafeteria Catholic because there are some things about the religion I will never buy. The celibacy of the priest is at the top of my list.

If What

Ohh boy...

1. There's no chance or reason for a Pope to make such a demand, since the first commandment of God to Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis in the Bible was, "be fruitful and multiply".

2. The reason for celibacy among the clergy, is that without a family (the basis of marriage, from a strictly religious standpoint) these people can focus on their spiritual life and on their parishioners, should that be their calling. The Catholic church is not the only religion that calls for celibacy among its 'religious' orders either - Buddhist monks have a far more strict regimen.

3. There is actually another order - the deacon is ordained and can perform a mass, visit the sick, etc. just as a priest can, he is simply not ordained to perform certain sacraments. He can be married and have a family, job, etc.


There are many popular misconceptions about the Catholic church, even among Catholics. One of the most damaging, is illustrated by the previous poster, who expects that a priest, nun or member of the clergy is no longer human. There are abuse cases even here in Trinidad, right now, among non-catholic teachers, administrators of orphanages, babysitters, etc. - however it ranks as a public furor when accusations are made against religious clergy... why is that?

For the record, the Church has only 'protected' its priests on a level of "innocent until proven guilty" - as here in Trinidad, it was proven that accusations leveled against one priest were absolutely false. Those that were found guilty, were disciplined not only by the justice system, but within the church as well... very much like a soldier being court-marshalled by the army.

Another misconception is that since the priest has never been married, he knows nothing about marriage. If you take into consideration though, that a major part of his job is counselling his parishioners, then it might be said he knows a lot more about marriage than many married men!