Whoah, you really want me to step into the fire. Religion and Politics I can debate for days. In my opinion when any man seeks the calling of the Lord it is a gift and a choice of religion is usually based upon upbringing and surrounding. Catholic Priest are not to marry to follow celibacy as Jesus Christ did. Temptation knocks on any door. Priest included. If the Catholic Church laws state celibacy then they know what is a demanded requirement in the Rite of Ordination. Their parishioners would not hold faith in the religion if it is not being lead by example. This is a pretty sticky situation. You can open the door to many more questions. Basically if men want to marry a woman and be married to the Lord they need to be Baptist, Pentecostal, etc.

It's indeed a controversial issue but I will ask you a question. What is better, the priest getting married to a woman in a proper way and forming a pure sexual relationship with her or being caught on the Miami beach with a girl, kissing and fondling her?

I think the Catholic church should be allowed to command that their priests be celibate. Ithink any church- as long as they are not breaking the law- should be able to believe whatever they want. Alberto Cutie made the right decision by becoming an Episcopalian. I think too many times people try to change a group to fit themselves instead of changing themselves to fit into the group or finding a more accepting group. I don't happen to think that marrying/ sex inhibits a church leader from carrying out their job and because of that, I am not a Catholic. I respect Catholics' rights to believe as they choose to.
This is a little off the subject but, using the same argument, I don't believe churches should be forced to accept gay pastors or marry gay couples. Some gays have split from the main body and formed their own churches that allow gay clergy and perform gay weddings. I think this is as it should be. Religion is one of those things that, by definition, is not going to appeal to or accept just any views.
That's my two cents. Fire at will! lol

ServiceU wrote:
father Alberto Cutie catholic priest caught kissing, and fondling a women on Miami beach. Scandal rocked his parish, and he was removed from the church.

Do you think that priest should be married?
How do you feel about this situation?

To answer serviceu: You wrote me personally and asked for my opinion on this question. First and foremost,Alberto Cutie is a man...he is human..he has feelings, emotions and urges as any man would. I am not familiar with the catholic religion other than what I see on TV...the Sopranos are catholic, BUT...., if they are required to be celibate, then they should go by those rules. If in fact those rules are broken as he was seen BEING A HUMAN, then he should have been asked to leave. If you want to play by certain rules in life, you have to obey them or suffer the consequences. You asked if a priest should be married....I see no reason a man of God can not be married and still be a wonderful minister spreading the word of God. If in fact this priest should be lucky enough to find a woman who loves the Lord as he does, this would make him an even better messenger. As for Margarets comment above , I find it wrong for people to judge others for their sexual preferance. If a person is a true believer, then his sexual preference has nothing to do with the fact he loves the Lord. I respect all relegions and what someone wishes to believe, also I respect if they have chosen to be gay. To me, its like comparing whites, blacks, mexicans, puerto ricans, jewish, chinese, japanese....etc etc etc...gay is just a sexual preference and way of life.....so relegion has nothing to do with this. Alberto Cutie chose to be a human and had a human emotion.....who's to judge him on this account? Not me or anyone else on htis earth. It did not change the fact he was a good priest...but as stated...he did "break the rules".....I say, live and let live.....God will be the judge in the end...not anyone else. You asked!

Let me first apologize, ServiceU, because I should have known that adding that about homosexuality might change the direction of this post. That was not my intention but I found the two topics to be related.
I have to disagree with you, Fairy Godmother. I don't think it's a matter of judgment and discrimination, but a matter of beliefs. If there is a church that has a rule that the pastor cannot wear black, those who wish to wear black should not expect the church to accomodate their clothing choice; instead, they should find or form a church where the pastor can wear any color they like. If the tenets and beliefs are well- known, I see no reason for argument and debate. If you don't like or agree with the beliefs, you can go someplace else. No one should be able to go into a church and change the basic tenets of the faith, even if they disagree with them or find them outdated or wrong. I happen to believe homosexuals should have the right to marry. Do I believe they should be able to pick a church at random and make the pastor marry them? Absolutely not. My pastor will not marry any people unless they are church members and have gone through premarital counseling with him because he is standing for and standing in agreement with the marriage. I don't think he should be pressured to do otherwise.

Woop dee doo, he's doing what God designed him to do. The church's reaction was primitive and predictable.