For the first time in 900 years a father and son have just been ordained as Catholic priests. Father Dominic Cosslett, 36, and his father, Father Ron Cosslett, 70, were both ordained by Archbishop Vincent Nichols in Birmingham in the UK. Now the obvious question that arises is, since Catholic priests have to be celibate, how come Father Ron has a son? Of late Catholic priests have often been in the news for having sex with choir boys and little girls but in both cases this usually does not produce progeny, although it does produce some very expensive compensation payments. So where did Father Ron's son come from? A virgin birth? Cloning? Found under a cabbage leaf? Well, Father Ron was formerly an Anglican priest (they're allowed to marry) but he converted to Catholicism and the rule of the Church is that when this happens the convert may continue his priestly duties in the Catholic Church. His son Dominic, who is not married, also converted to Catholicism and wanted to become a priest too. I have not been able to find out if Father Ron's wife is still alive and if so whether he is able to…you know…um! How can I put it?...bless her. And what's this got to do with Buddhism? Nothing really. I just thought it was an interesting story. And I wish Father Ron and Father Dominic fulfillment in their new vocations.
All in all, their business.
ReplyDeleteCool. When can we see father and son become Bhikkhus together? Or maybe it already happened :)
ReplyDeleteIn our sangha, a mother and all four of her daughters became Buddhist nuns.
ReplyDeleteKonchog. That is awesome! Really warms your heart to hear that. May they all stay ordained and reach the highest liberation :)
ReplyDeleteIn Sri Lanka I remember meeting a nicely ordained family. The son was the first to ordain, and then he took his Mother and Father to Bodhgaya and he ordained them both himself! They are now all happily esconsed in different monasteries in the Eastern Province.
ReplyDeleteDoes it mean , now the Father has to call his son, "Father" ?
ReplyDeletethey must have gathered lots of positive karma in their 'bank account" to have a family of sanghas this life...my parents will be disappointed if i become a monk...in fact lately, they seem worried for me when i talk feverishly about the central teachings of the buddha; "Anicca", "Durkka" and "Anatta"..."oh my goosh...my son say ing such things...who is going to look after me in my twilight years."
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