Can A Divorced Man Become A Catholic Priest?

An Ordained Priest (called also Father) is ranked the second-highest within the Holy Order. His primary duty is to serve, administer sacraments and offer spiritual guidance. The priest’s first duty is to preach the Faith by word and example.

Prior to ordination, the priest goes through a rigorous journey of self discovery, vetting and education. He must fulfill a number of requirements set forth by the Church.

The Code of Canon Law (CLC 1026 – 1032) requires him to be of good reputation, moral integrity, proven virtue, and other physical and psychological qualities appropriate to exercise the priesthood. But can a divorced man become a Catholic priest?

Can A Divorced Man Become A Catholic Priest?

church, and the Bible, does not look favorably upon divorce

In light of The Code of Canon Law and numerous citations from the Bible, a man who has been civilly divorced, will not be accepted into priesthood.

The church, and the Bible, does not look favorably upon divorce.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

“To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.”

1 Corinthians 7:13-14

And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband”

Deuteronomy 24:1-4

“ If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled.”

When a man and woman marry, they seal a sacred covenant. The Catholic Church teaches and believes that the union of marriage is holy and can’t be dissolved by any human authority.

Of course, rules within the Catholic Church cannot stop you from seeking a civil divorce through legal means.

However, the church will not recognize the divorce and the man will be considered married. And since the Catholic Church doesn’t allow married men to become priests (there are exceptions), a divorced man cannot be ordained.

But there’s a way around this. The Catholic Church has a marriage annulment process that allows couples to separate and essentially makes the marriage seem like it never happened.

In recent years, Pope Francis has made it easier for couples to seek annulment.

Requirements For A Successful Annulment

Requirements For A Successful Annulment

In the new rules, the local church or diocese can make a decision on whether to annul a marriage. An annulment can be approved if one of the partners is unfaithful, had an abortion or is not a believer.

Interestingly, there isn’t specific wording in the Code of Canon Law that says a man whose marriage has been annulled can become a priest. But since an annulment erases the marriage, many churches take it that the man is now unmarried.

However, attitudes vary from one diocese to another. In some churches, a divorced man may be easily accepted into priesthood after annulment. In other churches, it may be harder to convince the clergy that you are right to serve as a priest.

We recommend talking to your Bishop for guidance that applies specifically to your diocese.

5 thoughts on “Can A Divorced Man Become A Catholic Priest?”

  1. I am a catholic, but got married to a non-catholic in a Pentecostal church, as well as, did a civil court marriage. If I divorce her, am I free to go for priesthood, if I want?

    Reply
  2. Hi Emile, if you didn’t have your bishop’s permission to marry in that ceremony, then you aren’t validly married at all. You would be able to seek a declaration of nullity and would be treated as if you had never been married.

    Reply
  3. Hello,
    I was raised RC but was never confirmed. My ex is not Catholic. We were married in a Baptist church. We have one child together. We were married for 13 years. I am thinking of giving myself to the Church as I remember my earlier times as being the only time I felt whole. Would I be able to become a Priest?

    Reply
  4. I am divorced but we got married by a non denominational pastor I’ve been thinking of becoming a deacon can I get ordained if i didn’t get married in the catholic church

    Reply
  5. Hi. I’m a RC and got married in a RC church. After 5 years my wife left me and ran away with another man. She now is married to him and they live overseas. I’ve been alone for 10 years. Would the church give me an annulment do you think?

    Reply

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