Priest shortage opens discussion on possibilities of ordaining married men

FARGO - Pope Francis certainly woke up his followers and millions of others with his thoughts about married priests.

The popular pontiff told a German newspaper, he'd be open to a discussion about changing the rules, so the church can deal with the shortage of clergy in certain parts of the world.

In the name of the father and the son ...

When parishioners gathered for noon Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Fargo on Friday, a priest who took a vow of celibacy presided over the service.

With such a shortage of Catholic priests around the world, Pope Francis this week told a reporter, he would be open to the discussion of the church ordaining married men.

There would strict rules on who would qualify and where their service would be needed.

Monsignor Mike Patnode is a popular priest at St. Francis in Moorhead-45-years in the priesthood and months away from retirement.

While offering no personal opinion on the pope's statements, he says the obvious need for more clergy is weighing on the minds of those in the church.

"The law about celibacy is, could be changed and can be changed, and was changed because it was not mandatory (earlier) for our entire history," said Monsignor Michael Patnode, St. Francis Parish-Moorhead.

The monsignor is honest about the demands of the priesthood, and why celibacy is such an important part of the life.

"There is great value in the practice of celibacy. I am not sure I would have been a good husband and father and be a priest," said Patnode.

Early in the Catholic Church, centuries ago, priests were married, but the church claims celibacy is based on Scripture, that priests should act like Christ.

"I don't think the pope does this "willy-nilly," that is why he couches this and be pondered, is the word he used, ponder this possibility," said Patnode.

The Eastern Catholic Church does allow married priest and in some extreme cases, the Catholic Church does as well.

Protestant pastors, for example, who are married but convert to Catholicism, can remain married.