But secular priests do not take vows

SINCERE LETTERS LIKE that of Ms Teresa Thomas on celibacy and priests who leave to marry distress me. They reveal the fundamental problem of a growing debate on the issue while basic knowledge is lacking and ignorance prevents progress. For example Ms Thomas and countless others keep making statements like "priests that have left to marry have broken freely-taken vows"; not true. The first step in this debate is to distinguish secular priests from religious priests. Secular priests do not take a vow of celibacy; they are bound by a Church law. 21 years ago, after serving as a secular priest in the active pastoral ministry for 10 years, I petitioned for a dispensation from Canon 132. I had taken no vow and nothing but that law was mentioned when the dispensation was granted.
Nor have I left the priesthood; you cannot leave a sacrament which leaves an indelible mark. I am not an ex-priest or a former priest; I am a pastorally inactive married priest. All I require to function again is authorisation to do so.
Ms Thomas' experience is different from mine; none of the five married priests that I am in contact with married divorced women. No doubt such exist, but I've never met one. Each of my friends act as a Eucharistic minister in his own parish and all of us would be happy, once again, to serve our communities. There is no lack of priests in England, only a shortage of celibate ones.
Finally I. endorse completely every word of Canon Macnamara's letter. We were contemporaries at the seminary but my experience was more extreme.
The laity fondly believe that their clergy have been prepared for a celibate life; my preparation from the age of 13 to 25 was isolation from womenfolk for 12 years and not a word about the meaning of celibacy. "If a woman throws herself 'at you", the rector of the junior seminary told us, "make sure you sidestep, HoHo." Hard to believe? It's absolutely true...ask any seminarian who passed through the isolation of Mark Cross Junior Seminary. As Canon McNamara says, "Is it any wonder that...?" It's time our laity were told the truth. Tony Castle Great Wakering, Essex.
I AM SADDENED by Teresa Thomas' letter. Does she really believe that a priest who has entered into a civil marriage with a divorcee, seriously expects to be allowed to renew his priestly duties indeed, would he really want to?
However, Ms Thomas should be aware that not all former priests have the history she portrays.Some have resigned from their sacred ministry only with the permission of their superior, and have subsequently entered into a sacramental marriage in full communion with the Church. These priests, far from being dissidents, want to change no "teachings" of the Church, but they hope and pray that their teaching and experience, and their commitment to Christ and the Church will come to be effectively recognised and utilised.1 do find it very difficult to see how the Holy Eucharist could lose any credibility thereby.
My experience is, of course, limited, but I have yet to speak to any person who would reject the ministry of such a priest.
Henry john Dobbin Portsmouth
TERESA THOMAS RAISES an interesting point, and repeats a common misconception; only monks are bound by vows. Secular priests do not take vows and the rule of celibacy has been relaxed. We already have ordained married, former Anglican clergy.Has it occurred that it is by no means certain that any Catholic married priests would come to the rescue as the drama over lack of vocations turns into the crisis of lack of priests? Although hundreds have left and have married, not all would wish to resume their active priesthood, because of the unChrisTian and uncharitable attitudes they have encountered amongst Catholics.
Rosemary Brycton York.