Pope Francis: The People’s Pope
Christopher Buck: I agree. There’s also the question of marriage of priests. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, priests can marry. And I understand, at one point, there was a group from Episcopalian diocese that came over. And these priests were already married.
Father Collins: Correct, yes, yeah, true.
Christopher Buck: I believed they received dispensation to be able to stay married but be Catholic priests. Do you see the possibility, or has Francis spoken on, allowing priests to marry?
Father Collins: Yes, he has, actually. Well, interestingly, first of all, you’re absolutely right that the Eastern Orthodox clergy will marry. But, also, the Catholic Eastern Orthodox churches can marry.
So, in fact, we could say that there already is in the Eastern part of Europe and also now in America since Pope Francis came along, some Catholic Eastern Orthodox clergy who marry. That’s one thing.
And then, Pope Benedict allowed clergy who converted to Catholicism to remain married and to exercise the ministry. So, he introduced that.
And Pope Francis, I’d say, is very keen on expanding that a little bit more. But, you know, he has to be careful because, as I mentioned before, even some of the cardinals are contesting against him quite loudly and in the open air. They’re not muttering behind his back.
He says he’s happy with that, and I take him at his word. I guess he is. But, at the same time, he has to be really careful that he doesn’t form in too much division, because if he doesn’t, it’ll all blow up in his face. So, I think he’s got to go slowly.
Christopher Buck: One of the criticisms that you hear of the Catholic Church is that it’s still rooted in the Middle Age and hasn’t evolved on some issues. And so, it’s not only very refreshing, but important that Pope Francis has been addressing these things.
Father Collins: Certainly, yeah, it is, absolutely.
Christopher Buck: One of the things that recently came out was the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is now legal in the United States.
