Married priest to make Island history JIM DAY The Guardian
A married man will be ordained to the Catholic priesthood in August for the first time ever on Prince Edward Island.
The precedent-setting case follows a process that took close to four years before the Vatican gave Bishop Vernon Fougere permission to ordain Martin Carter, a former Anglican clergyman.
“In the Catholic Church, we do not ordain married men,’’ said Fougere, the long-serving bishop of Charlottetown.
“So he (Carter) had to petition the Holy Father — the Pope — for permission to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood. Now these are exceptional cases and they are not done overnight.’’
Fougere, who could have denied Carter the ordination to the Catholic priesthood, says he was pleased to grant permission.
“I have discerned that he is very sincere and his conversion to the Catholic Church has been a long process,’’ he said.
“I have received very favourable correspondence from his bishop in Halifax. There is no doubt in my mind this is a matter of conscience.’’
Carter, who is married and has three sons, will be ordained at St. Dunstan’s Basilica Church in Charlottetown on Aug. 9. He will begin his assignment Aug. 15 with St. Pius X Parish.
Fougere believes members of the congregation will be receptive to the posting.
“I have not done a survey but the people I have spoken to in the shopping malls are elated that this can happen in the Catholic Church, with special permission, of course,’’ he said.
“The people that know Martin Carter know that he will be a good priest.’’
Fougere stresses that Carter’s ordination represents an exception to the rule.
“That does not mean that permission will be given tomorrow to every married man to be ordained,’’ he said.
“The (Catholic) Church has laws but there are exceptions . . . a lot of people see the church as being very rigid, but that is not always the case . . . The church is very respectful of the person’s conscience.’’
As of Aug. 9, Carter will be the only married man to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood on P.E.I.
Carter, who is currently out of the province, could not be reached for comment.
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Lori from PEI writes: way to go...that is the way it should be. Why should they be married to the church...they should be the same as Protestants and Anglicans...they all have the same beliefs...that is fantastic news!
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bravo-finally from PE writes: the catholic church is catching up with the times, I say BRAVO-I think it is wonderful for Mr Carter and the Catholic Church, hopefully this will set a precedent and more married men will follow their calling.,and to all you nay-sayers I am catholic as is my whole family for as far back as we remember, and I embrace this wholeheartly
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Daniel Driscoll from Charlottetown, Non-res., PE writes: Ad Multos Annos. Great Story!
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PEIer from PE writes: 1Corinthians 27:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. BUT since there is so much immorality, each man SHOULD have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
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vick from PEI writes: Being a Catholic I beleive this is great news! Long pass due! Now lets let married women in as well! Nothing against not being married but I beleive those who are married can relate to married members concerns much better. Its a question my kids have asked and many generations before us why can't priest be MARRIED ! There will be many more followers if they continue down this path!
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About time from PEI writes: It's about time the Church came into the 21st century. Now if we can get rid of the whole annulment process next, we can really get some people back to the congregations. Time to stop driving people away.
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Formerly from Souris from NB writes: It is about time......
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Shelly from PEI writes: Congratulations!!! I think they all should be able to get married!
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cheri from pei writes: I believe this is the best move, for the church,this may bring young people back.I don't know why it took so long.
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Tim from Ch'town, PE writes: People keep track of this stuff? Really?
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Islander from PEI writes: The Catholic Church has done this for awhile, so it's not really news. If you think it's actually changing, I'm afraid it's just wishful thinking. Call me when women can serve the Church just like men (and just like they used to).
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Mollie from Summerside, PEI writes: Wonderful news!
Does anybody know what the exceptions are that permit this particular married priest? Very curious here.
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first last from NS writes: Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
The Pope is just a man, no one should be calling him Father! Unless he gets married and has kids too...
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Gerry from pe writes: Congratulation to Father Martin for his ordination and perserverance. As for PEIer quoting Corinthians, a simple congratulations would suffice versus cynicism. Progress is being made, be a thankful and a true christian.
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PEI Solution from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Oh NO! This is the thin edge of the sword. Now everyone will want to get married.
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Knowing your Bible from PEI writes: To PEIer from PE writes: 1Corinthians 27:1
Dude, 1 Corinthians only has 16 chapters. Where are you getting this scripture from? Must be a different bible; mine is the King James Version.
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Wrong Scripture from PEI writes: Hey man,
I think the scripture you are referring to is actually 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man no to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every an have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. I think you missed it by a bit eh?
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this could turn bad from Summerside, PE writes: Okay, I'm all for Catholic priests getting married, But there's too many holes in this to reject it in the future and I have a bad feeling that is going to happen. I have no faith in this pope with the way he's handled things since he came into power. I have a feeling that other married men who are going to want to become priests who are life long catholics will be turned away because of their faith and that they were raised knowing catholic priests are only married to the church This will backfire and cause another uproar that the catholic church does not need. They have been damaged enough alright in north america...Keep in mind, the pop is already ashamed of Canada.
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Darlene Campbell from Calgary, AB writes: Congratulations I think this is wonderful. Maybe now there would be more people getting involved in the Church again.
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KM from Ontario writes: I have never heard of this sort of special permission before. I suspect that the shortage of priests has rendered the Vatican more open to exceptions!
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Anne Marie Clarkin-Deacon from NorthWiltshire, P.E.I. writes: This is wonderful news, but I wonder why one of our own who left to marry cannot be a Catholic Priest, it's kinda a double standard, but all the same it is a great move and great news!!!!!!
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Marie Gallant from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island writes: Finally, a married Priest. Now we will have a Reverend in the Catholic faith that will appeal to the problems some couples are having. Just maybe the divorce rate will go down. Most men think that the Catholic Priest doesn't understand their problems with their wives because how could he when he is not married himself. This should be the best news story of the year, decade , Century. Congrats! and Thank you Bishop Fougere.
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Ann from PE writes: The Catholic Church is so desperate for priests that it is only a matter of time before they cave to pressure to allow priests to marry.
I had no idea that some exceptions were already happening and as a Catholic I have to wonder what other rules the church has allowed exceptions on.
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leo fisher from Hernando, florida writes: congrats..great news
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leo fisher from Hernando, florida writes: I am all in favor of this move ,Now take the next step and get women involved.
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Chris from PEI writes: It's not like this is a huge groundbreaking event. The Catholic Church has apparently been making this type of exception since 1980. This is simply the first time it has happened here on PEI.
A quick Google search will bring up all kinds of interesting information on the topic.
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Mark from PEI writes: Holy Father, lol. I thought their god was supposed to be the Holy Father, not the pope.
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Great News from PEI writes: Thank you to Bishop Fougere for your assistance. I believe the Catholic Church and it's members will benefit from allowing a married man to be ordained into the Priesthood. I hope the Vatican will see fit to open the vocation of priesthood to all married men.
The number of men choosing this vocation has been diminishing over the last decade. And it is making it more difficult for our Priests to cover the number of Parishes on PEI. I'm sure it's even more difficult in the larger centres.
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TO Leo from PEI writes: I hope your not thinking about having women priests! I for one DO NOT AGREE with that move! The women have their vocation in the Catholic Church as Nuns. And I believe that is how it should remain!
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PEIer from PE writes: To Gerry from PEI - you misjudge...I wasn't being cynical at all. I am a fellow Christian and applaud this move.
And yes, wrong reference - should have read 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 (New International Version) sorry, it was 6:30 am after all :)
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IslanderinAB from Alberta writes: Finally! About time the Catholic Church catches up! Now if only women could be involved...
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Paula from PEI writes: This is wonderful news and according to the comments I've read, the majority of people agree.
Now just 1 question.....when are they going to allow women???
Congratulations on a great decision!
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Chester Field from pei writes: I would much rather see somebody like Mr. Carter, who can actually understand the problems that can occur in a marriage, than a child molesting priest.
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History buff from pei writes: This is just a return to ancient times in the Roman Catholic faith. Many years ago priests and bishops married and continued to serve the church. I am descended from a Roman Catholic Bishop who was married and fathered six children long before there was a protestant church or Anglican church. So, what is old is new again!
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mason from USA writes: The catholic church has been getting a lot of heat lately. I think the best way of getting better light to shine on them is to advertise their better prospects. Ive had such good experience with them. Do so at http://adwido.com
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