Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Background Image

Married with Children: May I Become a Priest?

Question:

If I am married and have children, can I become a priest?

Answer:

You could, but it would most likely occur only after you become a widower and your children had become adults.

There are exceptional cases in Church history in which a husband and wife have agreed to live as brother and sister, i.e., not engage in conjugal relations, and thereby allowed each other to pursue the priesthood or religious life, but those scenarios are unusual.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us