Maronite Catholic Church in US to ordain its 1st married priest in nearly a century

Deacon Wissam Akiki, right -- with his wife Manal Kassab and daughter Perla -- will be ordained as a priest this week at St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral in St. Louis. (Photo: Courtesy of St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral)

Article by: JIM SALTER , Associated Press
Updated: February 27, 2014 - 2:30 PM

ST. LOUIS — When Deacon Wissam Akiki is ordained as a Maronite Catholic priest Thursday night in St. Louis, he's expected to have hundreds of supporters there for him, including his wife and daughter.

For the first time in nearly a century, the Maronite Catholic Church in the United States is ordaining a married priest in a ceremony at the ornate St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral near downtown St. Louis.

Akiki was in retreat before Thursday's ceremony and unavailable for an interview.

Eastern Catholic churches in the Middle East and Europe ordain married men. However, the Vatican banned the practice in America in the 1920s after Latin-rite bishops complained it was confusing for parishioners. But Pope John Paul II called for greater acceptance of Eastern Catholic traditions. And over the years, popes have made exceptions on a case-by-case basis for married men to become Eastern Catholic priests in America.

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