Can a divorced and annulled man with children become a priest?

Answer 1

The term "priest" applies to clerics of a few different denominations:

Anglican/Episcopal priests: they can and usually do marry.

Roman Catholic priests: in principle, they cannot marry. However, because of the shortage of priests in Roman Catholic Church (caused in part by the requirement of celibacy), sometimes the church allows married Episcopal or Anglican priests to join the Catholic church as priests--and retain their marriages.

A "pastor/minister" is the term used for most other Christian denominations, and as a rule pastors/ministers can and usually do marry.

Answer 2

Widowed, yes, but the divorce concept is against the teaching of the Catholic church. Unless the divorce was allowed by the church, you may have a hard time to get into being a priest. Of course, there maybe certain exceptions to this, such as a difficult marriage ect, but this divorce should have been removed by the Church first before you can considering becoming a priest.

Answer 3

I think so. A man who is already married can become a deacon, and then if his wife dies he can become a priest. So I believe that a widower would be able to become a priest. He should understand, though, that if his children are still dependent on him that his income and living situation will likely be designed to support only him and not a whole family, and that his obligations may take him away from his children often.

Actually, he may become a priest only if his children are big enough to be on their own. A father's first priority must be to the care of his children, a Father's first priority must be the care of the Church.

Answer 4

An annulment means, basically, that the marriage was not valid to start with so the man would be considered single and able to become a priest. It would probably be better for all concerned if he waited until his children were all grown and no longer a responsibility for the man.

Answer 5

Yes. One the spouse dies, the bond of marriage is disbanded. Therefore, the widowed man or woman can enter into a religious vocation (Priests, Nuns, Monks, etc..)

Answer 6

Yes. A typical parish priest is married with a family. Priests (and deacons) may not marry after ordination, however.

Answer 7

Yes and many have through the ages.