Latin Rite: Can a deacon renew their vows after the promise of celibacy?

[jwinch2]

Originally Posted by TimothyH

Every married man who considers the diaconate needs to consider celibacy as a very real possiblity to the same extent that an unmarried man considering the diaconate does.

There are many married men who fail to realistically consider the possiblity that their wife will pre-decease them and when it happens, they cannot cope for one reason or another. There are some deacons who ask to be laicized or simply walk away, or ask for a dispensation to remarry and these are very difficult to get.

I think every man diserning the diaconate needs to consider that God might call him to have an undivided heart sooner than he expects.


-Tim-

I have no problem agreeing with that, though to be fair, women tend to outlive their husbands for the most part. However, your main point is well taken that it is certainly a possibility that you will end up in the celibate state regardless of whether you started there or not. Those discerning a vocation to the diaconate should give that due consideration.

[TimothyH]

Originally Posted by jwinch2

I have no problem agreeing with that, though to be fair, women tend to outlive their husbands for the most part. However, your main point is well taken that it is certainly a possibility that you will end up in the celibate state regardless of whether you started there or not. Those discerning a vocation to the diaconate should give that due consideration.

I think the stat is that 84% or 85% of women outlive their husbands.


-Tim-