What do you think of the Married Roman Catholic Priests? Do they perform a valid sacraments, sacramentals?
364636
Yes.  Technically even the ones who have been laicized perform valid sacraments but are forbidden to do so except in emergency situations.  As to the ordinary married priests either of the Roman Church or in the Eastern Churches, their ordination is certainly valid.  A sizeable segment of the Catholic Church has always ordained married men.  Most married men ordained to the Roman Patriarch are done under the principal of economy.  Examples are Anglican priests, Methodist ministers and I think there may have been a Presbyterian or two.  The Orthodox of course do not need to be ordained again as they are already ordained.
1055550
The term "annulment" is a misnomer because the Church does not undo or erase a marriage bond. Rather the Church issues declarations of nullity when it discovers that the parties were not truly joined by God and hence a full spiritual sacramental marriage as understood by the Church was not present.\n\nChildren from a marriage that was declared invalid are considered legitimate both by the Church and governments world wide.\n\nWith love in Christ.
352964
Most simply - the clue is in the question:\n\nAll Priests are men; and all Priestesses are women. :)\n\nBut seriously, it tends to be only the Roman Catholic Church who ordanes that all of its priests are celibate men.  Anglicans are willing to accept women priests (see the BBC's "Vicar of Dibley").
400242
the best explanation i can give is episcopal is described as catholic light. they aren't as strict on their doctrine as the catholics. you don't have to become a catholic to get married in their church but the last time i checked you will have to promise to raise your children catholic. this might of changed since the last time i checked. your best source to get the answer you need is to contact your local catholic church.
72283
Every Catholic priest ordained has to be able to trace his ordination back to the apostolic age. Along with Orthodox, Copts, Armenians, and maybe Anglicans, only we can. \n\nMany denominations preach the good news, and they are all blessed for doing so. The good news that they preach about Jesus, Catholics confirm and encourage. The Catholic church does not look "down" on other church communities, but considers them brethren. \n\nNonetheless - we have preserved something they have not, which is a continuous chain of laid-on hands passing on the apostolic ministry. This is called "apostolic succession." And it makes us a very faithful church in that we have carefully preserved what the apostles handed down to us, over thousands of years. There's a reason that all the older historic churches, despite differences in doctrine and creed, have sacraments almost indentical in character and liturgy.\n\nhttp://www.catholic.com/library/Apostolic_Succession.asp\n\n(Edit: there has never been - ever - any such character as "Pope Constantine." That is a complete and utter fiction. Anyone who does want to know the history of the church in that era can read Eusebius' "History of the Church."
871801
Decide which church you want to have your servide in and then invite both the priest and the pastor to officiate.  The priest can give you a blessing.  As a graduate student I took as my research project the Pre-Cana marriage preparation course offerred by the Catholic Church for engaged couples and it is a solid, excellent program to sort out issues before they become difficulties after a couple is married.  Whatever church you eventually decide to settle in does not matter.  This Pre-Cana program will help you more than I can say and give you tools to deal with problems when they arise.  Peace and joy!
222643
If by priest you mean a Catholic priest, this doesn't happen.  No Catholic priest that I've heard of ever has attempted to "marry" a gay couple.  \n\nIf one attempted to do so, the "marriage" would be invalid (of course) and the priest would certainly face serious sanction/penalty from his bishop (unless it was in the LA archdiocese, in which case he might get a slap on the wrist, but that's another story for another time).  \n\nI'd imagine that defrocking would not be out of the realm of the possibility in such a case.\n\nAs for clergy of other churches who "marry" gay couples, in my opinion it's a case of these clergy bending, twisting, and/or ignoring plain Christian teaching to suit the times. \n\nHomosexual acts not only go against God's laws, but (not coincidentally) they are something that are harmful to people because our bodies are simply not designed for such acts.  \n\nAny true clergyman of any denomination would know this, and would shudder at the thought of "gay marriage."\n\nBut again, some ultra-liberal clergy interpret the Christian faith not through the Bible and the teachings of the Church, but through their own whims and viewpoints.  This is sad.
685421
I agree with Wendy.  I'll be thinking about this and I'll post later if I think of anything new, but at the very least, it would be fornication, which is condemned.\n\nCatholic priests have no business touching children.  Period.  God does not condone it.  In fact, they will be held to stricter judgment for being a stumbling block to their victims and all those who turned away from God because of their ungodly influence.\n\nI appreciate your concern for children.  I know God hates it.  I'll keep thinking.\n\n(As for cutting off one's hand or foot or putting out one's eye - that's how serious it is.)
563868
Yes Yes .. !!\ni have heard about such a religion .. where u have to kiss the priest n then take a bath with a very old person who had accepted that religion atleast 50 years ago. so u must take a bath with his father in law (but that means he is married ..otherwise from where will his father in law come into picture?? and if he s gettin married to u ..then his father in law is ur father ?? oh no !! )) .. so yeah take a bath with that old guy n get ur religion converted !! \n ((bdw.. i am the father in law .. guys please convince this gal to take a bath with me!))
457976
romadgo..utter rubbish!...Nothing wrong in common law marriages, I do not live in the US, I am pagan and as a pagan I got 'wed' we had a handfastening ceremony.  Just because its not recognised by law doesnt mean it doesnt work.  Many of my friends live with their life partner, and have kids. A piece of paper doesnt keep you together, love does
65504
they look at paul as their role model, who was celibate, and also try to be, though he said that theyre better off being married if they're going to want sex, than to want it while swearing it off, and being tempted all the time.  celibacy is not for everyone, only very few, and priests really should not have to remain in that condition unless they feel that they actually can, and it should be a personal choice
509044
While many Christian denominations have a form of "communion", ONLY the Catholic and Orthodox Churches  believe the bread and wine really "substantiate" into His Body and Blood, taking the Bible literally there.  \n(This is from the Last Supper, AND the story of the loaves and fishes in John.)\n\nOnly a Catholic without mortal sin should receive Catholic Communion, but others are welcome to receive a blessing instead (indicate by crossing their arms across their chest).\n\nTo become Catholic requires taking a "RCIA" class at the Church that generally lasts about 8-9 months, agreeing to Catholic beliefs, and if married, the marriage must be blessed by the Church (any prior marriage annulled).
143994
SHB...isn't it strange how all (or I mean most) answers talk about how clergymen spread the word, ie- visiting the sick, writing surmons, marrying people and such. Do they have real jobs, making real money? Or do they keep the bills paid by the churches offerings? WOW! \n\n(I shoulda thunk o' that!!)
601540
Catholics can arrange with priest and minister to co-officiate a wedding ceremony, even if it is at the Protestant church. You must discuss the arrangements well in advance with the priest. \n\nThe love we have for one another is not the same as the love between a husband and wife. One is a commandment, and the other is a sacred covenant, a sacrament.\n\nFor a mixed marriage, refusing the other's right to have a Catholic wedding of whatever form is a serious spiritual imposition. On the other hand, the non-Catholic has nothing to lose by having it done in a Catholic church. The "idols" will not eat you. :0\n\nSince it doesn't seem to really matter to you what church is the true church for you, there would be no logical impediment to having the wedding in the oldest church on the planet, other than plain prejudice.\n\nSome Protestant churches have no sacraments, most have 2. Catholicism upholds Matrimony as of the Seven Sacraments. If it is done outside the Church, sure, its a marriage, but not a sacramental marriage.  As a consequence, that Catholic cannot receive any of the sacraments until the marriage is convalidated (erroneously known as "blessed"). That is why demanding a Catholic to marry outside the Church is so unfair. \n\nI have heard a theologian say that Matrimony is higher calling than Ordination. Hmm... \n\nI have also heard that over 90% of mixed marriages fail in divorce. Hmm...\n\nI don't think she parted from you so much over religion though. I think she parted from you by the way you handle conflicts, judging by your question. \n\nI admire her courage.
528469
I don't speak for the Catholic Church by any means, but you are not going to get a REAL priest to answer this unless you talk to him in person.  They would not answer because they are told not to answer on forums like this.  The Catholic Church is very political and protective of its doctrine, its priests, and its assets.  They would never open themselves up to the criticism that you would get from answering those questions in a forum like this.  \n\nSo, if you really want to know the answers, you need to go ask a priest in person.  You can find one at your nearest Catholic Church.
1175022
Well if you're looking to become a priest it might get really complicated. Plus if you were to go to a convent it would get even more confusing. \n\nCatholic priests are not supposed to have a wife and children (no Christian is supposed to divorce, if the priest knows a person has been divorced he can not give them Communion). As for just a part of the basic clergy like an usher or a minister I'm not so sure on the rules but if you're looking to be a priest or have some position like it in the church it's probably not going to happen if you're Catholic.\n\nAs for what you should actually do, I'd say continue on with your basic life with your wife and kids. You can volenteer for lots of stuff at your church since there should be a lot of things going on (this is just from thoughts of my own church) and volenteers are always welcome. So basically I think you can fulfill this "calling" simply by keeping your basic life and just volenteering. I know you're sitting there saying "Wait, this looks too simple." Well in theory it's enough since service to God is a service that He will never forget no matter how much that service is.
290544
It rather depends.  In a worst case scenario, assuming everyone is baptized, the two prospective spouses exchange vows in the presence of two witnesses.  There is no obligation that they have civil authority or that they are ordained to the ministry.  This assumes the ordinary method is unavailable.  Jesus said, "Whereever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there."  Therefore, marriage creates a church (an ecclesia or community of God).  As such, it should be celebrated within the community of believers, preferrably by a bishop or presbyter.  The Roman Patriarchate also permits Deacons to officiate weddings.\n\nIn the Eastern Church matrimony is separate from the divine liturgy, in the West it usually is included as part of the Mass.\n\nIf any of the above are not baptized, then its sacramentality is open to question per both Paul and Peter.