The bishop wanted him and mom to seperate for a year just the church could bless their marriage. F#$k that. She was pregant with my oldest sister and would have had to have the baby "out of wedlock" in 1954. Tell me know that shit is what Christ would do. Well let me put it this way. my father is 84 and i am damn sure he would do the same today. And i would be right there with him.
its a standard of decency with me (and dad)...dont call my wife, daughter, mom names. the bishop chose those words to be hurtful and he got what he asked for.
My mother was raised as a Catholic but she hadn't set foot in a Catholic church in 50 years. On her last night on earth my aunt and I were with her. As we were leaving my aunt saw a priest in the hospital corridor and asked him to give her sister the last rites? The priest asked if she was Catholic and said she had to be Catholic for him to say some holy words. My aunt said she was and offered him $20. He then gave my mother the last rites. I don't know what his prayers did any good but if it made my aunt feel any better what's the harm?
None whatsoever IMO. Helping another human being get closer to God especially at or near the time of their passing should BE the calling of anyone officially representing. My dad was agnostic. I never heard him say a prayer, never heard him praise Jesus. The only time he ever went to church was by invitation. And yet, there was a day in the hospital after he had been diagnosed with a malignant glioblastoma, when a volunteer came in to the room asking if he'd like to have the hospital chaplain come by to pray with him. To my shock and complete joy, he said yes. Should it matter the denomination, the time frame, the reason? I don't think so. Official rules often become a barrier between Jesus and those willing to hear the Word.
As I understand it’s beginning wasn’t religious but practical. Priests could marry until about 1000AD though bishops were discouraged from marrying. The reason one of my history professors gave is that priests were handing their churches to their children thus weakening the bonds to and authority of the church. Orthodox priests still marry. The church also allows married Episcopal priests who convert to stay/become ordained as Catholic priests.
They can have it all. I won't even consider going back until they can prove that they can keep their hands out of everyones pockets and little boys pants.
