For Byzantine Catholics and Ortho Bros

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

Should priests be allowed to practice while having underage children?

A huge reason why I ask this isn't because I am against priests marrying or having children, but I strongly believe that a priest cannot serve two masters when they have children under the age of majority. I feel seriously bad everytime I annoy my priest about something because I know he has underage children and more to worry about than me or anyone else. I didn't feel the same way with my priests with adult children.

 

[Bondrewddidnothingwrong]

Byzantine catholics? You mean greek catholics? If so, then having children as a greek catholic priest is actually very rare because only orthodox priests who already have children and convert to greek catholicism can have offspring (Im not sure if they're allowed to make more though). Relating to your main question, well, if you're orthodox, then yeah, that's the orthodox stance on the subject. If you feel differently then that means you are comitting a catholic adjacent heresy. Which Im not saying is a bad thing, just stating the objective fact.

 

[oh no its pipkun]

being a priest isnt a simple responsibility and your priest knew hed have to take care of his flock and children. but good on you for empathesizing with the priest's position.

i think priests should have kids, it proves they arent weirdos and sets an example for laity and future clergy and we're running short of clergy on America.

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

Byzantine catholics? You mean greek catholics? If so, then having children as a greek catholic priest is actually very rare because only orthodox priests who already have children and convert to greek catholicism can have offspring (Im not sure if they're allowed to make more though). Relating to your main question, well, if you're orthodox, then yeah, that's the orthodox stance on the subject. If you feel differently then that means you are comitting a catholic adjacent heresy. Which Im not saying is a bad thing, just stating the objective fact.

No, the Byzantine Rite of the Roman Catholic Church is essentially Orthodoxy, but deference to the Bishop of Rome.

 

[Keine]

I mean, the first thing that God said to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply so I don't really see why the clergy shouldn't be allowed to have children. I feel like you can continue to serve God while also having a family. Also the notion that future priests don't just come out of thin air as mentioned. Granted, I'm not orthodox catholic, but my dad's side of the family comes from Latin America which is very staunchly Catholic while my mother's side is Protestant...ish.

 

[Prester John]

Byzantine catholics? You mean greek catholics? If so, then having children as a greek catholic priest is actually very rare because only orthodox priests who already have children and convert to greek catholicism can have offspring (Im not sure if they're allowed to make more though). Relating to your main question, well, if you're orthodox, then yeah, that's the orthodox stance on the subject. If you feel differently then that means you are comitting a catholic adjacent heresy. Which Im not saying is a bad thing, just stating the objective fact.

Eastern Rite Catholic priests may be married, but they must be married before ordination.

 

[Bondrewddidnothingwrong]

Eastern Rite Catholic priests may be married, but they must be married before ordination.

Well yeah, that's what I said

No, the Byzantine Rite of the Roman Catholic Church is essentially Orthodoxy, but deference to the Bishop of Rome.

So greek catholic, like I said.

 

[Prester John]

Well yeah, that's what I said

You said something about Orthodox priests converting to "Greek Catholic" priests, which is definitely not what I said.

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

So greek catholic, like I said.

Are you my current BR priest, because holy shit this is exactly what he told me.

But let me go back to this. I was accidently formed Greek Orthodox in the Byzantine Rite. My first priest converted from Greek Orthodoxy after his children were grown. I framed this as the model by other BR priests should operate as I knew no different. Even when I would visit Orthodox parishes, none of the priests either had children or underage children. So it was very strange to me to meet a BR priest who actively had underage children. It just doesn't seem conductive to the office of being a priest.

 

[Mnutu]

It’s their job to manage it, but it’s good to keep in mind. Usually, they’ll have office hours you can schedule to meet with them one on one if there is direct spiritual needs. Or email. Or texts. It’s not impossible, especially if the presbytera is holding up her end when needed. It’s like any married couple with children; the world doesn’t stop because they have kids, it just requires planning.

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

I guess I have another retarded question. In my old BR parish it was a very important point to give out 'many blessed years' to anyone at the end of liturgy. I was insanely insulted that at my new BR parish this was considered 'rude'. I didn't find this to be the case at other Ortho parishes I visited either.

 

[gorgoroth7134]

being a priest isnt a simple responsibility and your priest knew hed have to take care of his flock and children. but good on you for empathesizing with the priest's position.

i think priests should have kids, it proves they arent weirdos and sets an example for laity and future clergy and we're running short of clergy on America.

Agreed. We need this.

 

[oh no its pipkun]

Agreed. We need this.

never seen it but i heard the deacon to priest pipeline is fast and heavy. old guys who could and should only be deacons being pressed into the priesthood by Bishops with few applicants in their jurisdiction. never met one but apparently it's happening enough. something like deacon one day, priest the next.

 

[Lithuophile]

Ask your spiritual father

 

[Mnutu]

I guess I have another retarded question. In my old BR parish it was a very important point to give out 'many blessed years' to anyone at the end of liturgy. I was insanely insulted that at my new BR parish this was considered 'rude'. I didn't find this to be the case at other Ortho parishes I visited either.

Small t tradition. Some parishes do, some parishes don’t. Just depends on the priest and the parish themselves, even in the Orthodox Church.

Speaking of, it’s a mandatory tradition;
>Byzantine Catholic
>Orthodox posting

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

Small t tradition. Some parishes do, some parishes don’t. Just depends on the priest and the parish themselves, even in the Orthodox Church.

Speaking of, it’s a mandatory tradition;
>Byzantine Catholic
>Orthodox posting

I am schitzo. I am technically Latin Rite, but have gone to BR parishes the whole of my formation and also to Orthodox parishes. So if I am schitzo, lol, that's why.

 

[Triple Flutz]

I'm Orthodox from cradle Catholic, I specifically think my Spiritual Father's advice is better because he too, is married with children. It's practical, it's in touch with the reality of parenthood. I've never had to reach out to him for marital troubles, but I honestly and truly believe that his advice would be better due to his knowledge of marital dynamics. I genuinely believe that childless people are ''the best parents'' in that they are removed from the struggles and joys of parenthood and can use their well-rested, oversocialized brains to make abstract parenting decisions, but I know that my priest knows what it's like to be a parent and a husband, and it helps me in being a better wife and mother for him to bring up things that I haven't yet gone through. JSYK, in Western Orthodoxy anyway, most priests have financial struggles so they aren't there for the megachurch gibs, they're there because they want to be and because it's a vocation, so even though I can be anxious about shit, I've always felt very comfortable approaching them.

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

I'm Orthodox from cradle Catholic, I specifically think my Spiritual Father's advice is better because he too, is married with children. It's practical, it's in touch with the reality of parenthood. I've never had to reach out to him for marital troubles, but I honestly and truly believe that his advice would be better due to his knowledge of marital dynamics. I genuinely believe that childless people are ''the best parents'' in that they are removed from the struggles and joys of parenthood and can use their well-rested, oversocialized brains to make abstract parenting decisions, but I know that my priest knows what it's like to be a parent and a husband, and it helps me in being a better wife and mother for him to bring up things that I haven't yet gone through. JSYK, in Western Orthodoxy anyway, most priests have financial struggles so they aren't there for the megachurch gibs, they're there because they want to be and because it's a vocation, so even though I can be anxious about shit, I've always felt very comfortable approaching them.

I get that perspective, but why I think I prefer priests who are married, but with adult children. I just think you have too much on your plate if you have 5 and 10 year olds and a flock of parishioners who are all fucked themselves for various reasons, including me. In BR, there is no financial support from Rome, why I give to them what I can.

What is your branch of Orthodoxy?

 

[Triple Flutz]

What is your branch of Orthodoxy?

Whatever is available near me and Eastern, honestly. Right now, it's Greek, but I've also frequented a Carpatho-Rusyn parish as well as a Russian one prior.

 

[Blobby's Murder Knife]

Whatever is available near me and Eastern, honestly. Right now, it's Greek, but I've also frequented a Carpatho-Rusyn parish as well as a Russian one prior.

Greek is obviously the one I am most incidentally familiar with.

So, you all can fight me IRL, why should I be Ortho instead of a half assed BRC?

I have a hard time arguing from the Biblical standpoiint against the Pope.