OT: Pick the Pope Poll

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:34 am

Another thought on this issue. Here's an analogy, admittedly weak, between the Catholic priesthood and papacy and our sports heroes.

Many of us admire certain sportsmen because they do things that we never could do. None of us can dunk or play defense like Jordan. None of us can scale the Alps and the Pyrenees like Lance. None of us could win majors like Tiger.

These guys are all larger than life to many of us because of their athletic feats.

I take a similar approach to priests and Popes I have admired in my life. Priests like Monsignor Dwyer when I was a kid at Immaculate Conception Church and Popes like John Paul II all were larger than life to me because they both did things I couldn't do. They were celibate; they were pious; they devoted themselves to their flock and had an intense sense of spirituality that I couldn't even approach.

John Paul II spent three hours of every morning in prayer and died with no worldly possessions, not even having a bank account since he entered the priesthood.

I couldn't do that, just like I can't dunk like Jordan, pass like Gretzky or climb like Lance. But I don't admire the guy at the local playground, ice rink or area roads like Jordan, Gretzky or Lance because I can play with them, skate with them, ride with them. I may not be as good as them, but I'm in the game, so to speak, with them.

Right now, I still see the influential priests and Popes in my life as larger than life in some regards. But if they are allowed to marry and become non-celibate, they'll become more of a secular, regular guy like me, losing some of that esteemed appeal to me.

I know priests have their share of secular problems, just like me. But I admire that they aspire to put their spiritual relationship ahead of secular matters, and celibacy and not being married are a big part of that.

Bad analogy, I know. But it's all I can think of now.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:37 am

RobVarak wrote:The frustrating thing is that I've known many lay people who are similarly committed but denied the opportunity to serve.

All good points, Rob. But there are outlets for lay people to serve. Deacons, youth ministry, eucharistic minister, working with the poor.

I look at my old man as an example. Of course he's not a priest. But he volunteers for Meals on Wheels and works at a Catholic soup kitchen for the poor every week. He also does work on a Habitat for Humanity house and was very active in the Holy Name men's group at church for years, helping with charitable causes.

That's still service to the Church and to mankind while still being able to marry and remain non-celibate.

The priesthood takes a special commitment, a special, deep spiritual relationship, a special sacrifice. Part of that is celibacy, I think.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:43 am

P.S.: I enjoy this discussion. It's enlightening, hearing different viewpoints, and it's encouraging to me that people our age still are talking about these issues.

I guess we care, eh?

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:45 am

pk500 wrote:
DChaps wrote:
pk500 wrote:I don't want non-celibate priests, and I don't want female priests.
Paul, you do know there are already married priests in the Catholic church, right? One performed the Baptism of my Godson.
Splinter group? Does Rome recognize the legitimacy of that priest?

There is an exception made for clergy of other denominations who convert to Catholicism and become priests. They get to keep their families. It's rare but it does occur.

Here's a link from the National Catholic Register: http://www.ncregister.com/current/0206lead2.htm

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:56 am

White smoke, pope has been picked.

I'm still going with an Italian. They will lose support of parts of Rome they need if they go with a non-Italian twice in a row.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:16 pm

pk500 wrote:Splinter group? Does Rome recognize the legitimacy of that priest?

Absolutely they do.

http://www.maryourqueen.com/

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Pope/story?id=677904

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:23 pm

This is why I love FARK

Headline:

OMG WHITE SMOKE!!! T3H P0P3 1S 3L3CT3D!!1!1!!

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:41 pm

Is this black smoke white smoke thing just tradition? It seems very archaic to the non-catholic. Can't they just upgrade to a PR department when annoucing a new pope?

As for priests marrying, there are many Protestant pastors that are married and this is not a problem for many.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:59 pm

Weaver2005 wrote:Is this black smoke white smoke thing just tradition? It seems very archaic to the non-catholic. Can't they just upgrade to a PR department when annoucing a new pope?

Yes, it's tradition. It's part of the Catholic heritage.

Weaver2005 wrote:As for priests marrying, there are many Protestant pastors that are married and this is not a problem for many.

You're talking about a different religion, so the comparison isn't apt.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:59 pm

DChaps wrote:
pk500 wrote:Splinter group? Does Rome recognize the legitimacy of that priest?
Absolutely they do.

http://www.maryourqueen.com/

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Pope/story?id=677904

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.!

Take care,
PK