Should Priests Marry?

Pope Francis is considering letting priests marry, according to a report by CNN. As I mentioned in my column Starting the Conversation in Northern Connection magazine, if the subject is on the docket for discussion, perhaps this is the time to discuss.

This topic was also reported by the Herald. When I first read the Pope's stipulation that "older, married men with a long commitment to the church could also be considered"

I immediately though of the beloved, elderly deacon at my own church and thought it would be

awesome if he could continue his religious life and become a priest.

But then I started wondering - If deacons can become priests, can nuns or lay women become deacons? Should nuns become priests?  And then I wondered about other religions who allow their priests and ministers to marry - has it increased vocations?

I have more questions than answers - so as always I would love to know what you think.

You are welcome to leave comments below, email me at NorthCon@consolidated.net or send me a "Letter to the Editor" at P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722 attn: Marianne Reid Anderson

A THIRD Opinion? Seriously?

In the March issue, of the Northern Connection magazine, I related the story of how my husband had to get THREE quotes from THREE different services in order to get his car inspected at a reasonable price.

I can’t help but wonder about the first two services. They both had HUGE lists of what was wrong and HUGE expenses to go along with them. We didn’t know what to think. Especially, since the lists didn’t match.

Clearly, now that we found an honest opinion, the first two were just trying to take advantage of us, our ignorance about automobiles and get what they could get.

What do you think? Am I responsible for my own ignorance about cars? Is it my own fault for being trusting? Are they justified in some way?

As always, I am VERY interested in your thoughts and opinions! Leave comments below, email me at NorthCon@consolidated.net or send me a “Letter to the Editor” at P.O Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722 attn: Marianne Reid Anderson.