At first I thought I would be the only one to think of married priests. But when I had my first job after leaving the convent, there was a colleague who openly told me: "The present crisis in the church is it's own fault. It would be much better if we had married priests!" I never spoke to him about my life. I never showed him my CV. I never shared my religious experience. It's ok, maybe he must have heard through gossip about my past life. Yet I never spoke to him about married priesthood. I never encouraged anyone to embrace this principle, at least in the early years.
This was not the only occasion. In many many programs, I heard people coming forward and saying openly that we need married priests! No it wasn't my idea. It wasn't me who was applying pressure or evangelizing people!
This is what in theological jargon one calls it the work of the Holy Spirit who change people slowly, gently and in an incredible way. It's the same thing with peace movements: we had the church organizing crusades in the past, now we have realized that it was a folly.
Some friends would ask me directly if I would hear their confessions! If it's possible to continue hearing my homilies......and other things. What's so amazing is that it is the common people who have chosen this way. Maybe I was the last one to realize my new project in God's hands!!!
It doesn't mean that it was all rosy. Owing to the social context, I had some doubts about my work. But the book which is often quoted by the so called conservatives, paved the way. It is called the official law book of the church: Canon 843 for the people- "sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them".
So in other words I couldn't say no to people who ask for spiritual food.......!!!!! I describe it as food because I don't agree that it is simply the administration of sacraments, as otherwise we could have some machines which automatically distribute sacraments!!!!
This was not the only occasion. In many many programs, I heard people coming forward and saying openly that we need married priests! No it wasn't my idea. It wasn't me who was applying pressure or evangelizing people!
This is what in theological jargon one calls it the work of the Holy Spirit who change people slowly, gently and in an incredible way. It's the same thing with peace movements: we had the church organizing crusades in the past, now we have realized that it was a folly.
Some friends would ask me directly if I would hear their confessions! If it's possible to continue hearing my homilies......and other things. What's so amazing is that it is the common people who have chosen this way. Maybe I was the last one to realize my new project in God's hands!!!
It doesn't mean that it was all rosy. Owing to the social context, I had some doubts about my work. But the book which is often quoted by the so called conservatives, paved the way. It is called the official law book of the church: Canon 843 for the people- "sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them".
So in other words I couldn't say no to people who ask for spiritual food.......!!!!! I describe it as food because I don't agree that it is simply the administration of sacraments, as otherwise we could have some machines which automatically distribute sacraments!!!!
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