tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post6259062089264337609..comments2008-08-15T01:48:29.452-05:00Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868852480996815442noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-23839385830367684692007-01-27T12:50:00.000-06:002007-01-27T12:50:00.000-06:00not to be snarky but you could have put up a pic of those worth hearing, like Billy Graham, Chuck Smith or T.D. Jakes. <br /><br />I believe that if a parishioner can marry, and serve God whole-heartedly, why can't priests? It's like saying you can't do a job because you are married. I guess it depends who you are married to. hehe.<br /><br />Even in the Bible (I Cor 7), Paul speaks 'be as I am' but marry because it's better than burning with lust. (EmmaSometimes paraphrased)<br /><br />on that note, do you think, perhaps, of the possibility that the decline in the Catholic church, whether priest or parishioner, is due to the numerous lawsuits that are in the news on a regular basis? I have never been to a Catholic Mass, not being Catholic, but if a person is seeking God, it's all good.<br /><br />Whether it's a scandalous lawsuit or TV evangelism gone very bad, it's those few that end up tainting the whole. Don't you think?Emma Sometimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686252445732624786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-6429424802817673922007-01-22T14:28:00.000-06:002007-01-22T14:28:00.000-06:00The solution is actually quite simple. Next Sunday have everyone in the church be issued a squirt gun. Then anytime during the week if a family member is tempted by the Devil, just give him a big ol' blast in the eye with some holy water. This should protect his soul until next Sunday when he can reload at the baptismal fount. Glad I could help.ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-80835903363902084762007-01-22T08:00:00.000-06:002007-01-22T08:00:00.000-06:00Well, you can always become a Buddhist. There's no need to go to mass really, and there's no confession. ;-)wayabettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06993697296070707945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-30317757324102859032007-01-21T22:12:00.000-06:002007-01-21T22:12:00.000-06:00Someone give an 'Amen' to Mom! She's 100% correct... which is why it will never happen. Or at least one reason. In the 400+ years since the English Reformation the Catholic church hasn't budged on the issue of married priests, even though the Anglican church has (Queen Elizabeth I was very opposed to her churchmen being married). You will see the closure of parishes first, which would have my late Irish Catholic grandparents spinning in their graves.Mooselethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874418427786990740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-48172614883771266862007-01-21T22:05:00.000-06:002007-01-21T22:05:00.000-06:00Actually the shortage of priests in Duluth enabled the church to close 7 churches. This was done without a whimper. Currently we have 15 in this city of about 80-,000 people. Very few people walk to our church since they all have cars. Many of other denominations are having a tough time supporting a minister and his family with both small congregations and buildings. It is not unusual to see churches of 5, 10, or 15 thousand members today. The diocese of Duluth currently has 24 seminarians and the school is full. This is the first time this has happened in years. I think the problem could be solved if Decons were allowed to become priests. We have had a number of priests leave to get married, yet we allow married ministers to become priests. Don't forget married semenarians in the Greek Uniate can become priests. If I get to heaven, I will check this out with Pete.Dadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-71053986375908439472007-01-21T21:33:00.000-06:002007-01-21T21:33:00.000-06:00Good points!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01979925607834752536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-75185946196233493952007-01-21T21:12:00.000-06:002007-01-21T21:12:00.000-06:00Allowing priests to be married in the Catholic church, would not only solve the problem of a lack of priests---it would make a BETTER priest. Why? Because he would be able to understand and relate much, much better to the problems that come up in married life, having had to deal with them himself!!! Am I right?Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-62230912393632357242007-01-21T19:44:00.000-06:002007-01-21T19:44:00.000-06:00Although we are not Catholic, Kurt and I have discussed this very topic at length. <br /><br />We agree that A LOT of problems could be solved if married men could be priests...but we are also aware that the Church is a large organization that is generally opposed to change of any kind. Instead, like most big business, they choose to cover up problems by paying people for their pain and suffering, instead of looking to the future.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377174692899802883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11803058.post-73124486462171645912007-01-21T18:58:00.000-06:002007-01-21T18:58:00.000-06:00I have money riding on the Catholic Church allowing married priests long before women priests. Several Anglican/Episcopal parishes, which have married priests, have converted to Catholicism rather than recognize female ordination. <br /><br />Maybe it's because women priests wouldn't be as likely to play with the little boys.yellojkthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08147651039922224446noreply@blogger.com