The Catechism states that the sacrament of Holy Orders confers an indelible spiritual character on the man who receives it (CCC 1582). Dispensation from a sacred vow of celibacy is not automatically granted to a laicized priest. It might increase the heterosexual ratio (and I just dont know whose numbers are accurate on that) so that straight seminarians dont leave. Q: Why are Catholic priests not allowed to marry? [16] In the two years 2011 and 2012, nearly 400 Catholic priests were removed from the clerical state, with a peak of 260 in 2011, and nearly half of these being imposed as a penalty.[17][18]. Why would a priest lose the clerical state? He too could validly absolve sins in an emergency situation.). Like the sacrament of Baptism, it can never be erased: a baptized Christian can cease to practice his faith, and even publicly deny Christ, but he can never undo his baptism. This may be because of a serious criminal conviction, heresy, or similar matter. until his election as pope in April 2005, had responsibility for this But if he is granted that dispensation, the answer is "yes.". Practically speaking, the reasons for celibacy are given by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 7:7-8;32-35: But I would have you to be without solicitude. When a priest is laicized, he no longer has any of these responsibilities or restrictions. The participants in the meeting received detailed information about [b] the requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy received in recent years, as well as [c] the possibility of readmission to the exercise of ministry from priests who at present find themselves in the conditions prescribed by the Church [i.e., for readmission]. [21] The Church at first refused, going so far as to suspend him as bishop when he ran for office anyway, but eventually granted lay status in 2008 after he was elected. Priests whove left know about the pastors who refuse to be on call at night or go visit nursing homes, schlepping all of that on the associates. It seems to me that the cost argument isnt strong either.