V6M@PSUVM.BITNET (03/11/85)
<> Steve Dyer asked my opinion on female priests....so I gave them. As I said there has been NO infallible pronouncements on it, so the possibility is open but unlikely with the current understanding of the Magesterium. As for celibacy... There is much to be said for the practicality of a celibate clergy... for one thing less distraction and no chance of not fulfilling the role of husband and father. It is NOT impossible just difficult. A married priesthood DOES make the priest more sympathetic to the parishoners. I personally don't care one way or the other. It is hard enough just being a priest...I'll support the guy either married (with family problems) or single (with sacrificial problems). I appreciate all of the comments and much of the criticism is incisive but I assume that the current crop of theologians is better at it than I.:-) As for Luther... The Magesterium NEVER condoned Simony!!! Luther was correct and OBLIGATED to demand its end. Indeed he was in accord WITH the Magesterium. Unfortunatly his solution "overcorrected the system" no theological critical damping as it were. :-) Ecumenically yours Vince Marchionni