Tuesday, August 26, 2008
FORMER BAPTIST MINISTER BECOMES CATHOLIC PRIEST
David Harris never considered his conversion to Catholicism six years ago to be a rejection of the Baptist faith that nourished him from childhood in Eastern Kentucky.
But as a married man, Harris did think the switch meant he would leave one thing behind -- his status as an ordained minister.
He was wrong.
Early next month, he'll make history as the first married, former Baptist minister to become a Roman Catholic priest in the United States.
He'll also be only the second married man from any former denomination to become a priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Harris, 53, is scheduled to be ordained Sept. 6 at the Cathedral of the Assumption.
He is the only priest being ordained in the archdiocese this year.
His ordination is allowed under a seldom-used exception to the church's requirement that priests be celibate.
Read it here...
This is the first time I recall seeing a Baptist minister become a Catholic priest. He did receive a master's in theological studies from St. Meinrad School of Theology in Southern Indiana according to the article. I am assuming that is a Catholic school. If this trend continues, it will be interesting to see what these married priests will bring to the priesthood and the Church.
