Married Maronite priests devoted to both family and parish

Published: 2005-12-22

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- In Bziza, a small village in northern Lebanon, Father Charles Ksas begins weekday mornings with the Divine Office. As the day unfolds, the Maronite Catholic priest then splits his time as spiritual director for a school, as a part-time financial director of a technical school, and some days he attends classes to complete his doctorate in theology. On Saturdays, he does accounting for his diocese. He arrives back in time to celebrate the 6 p.m. daily Mass for his parish of 500. "I am tired, but full of joy," said Father Ksas of his busy schedule. Not very far from Beirut, in the mountain village of Cornet Chewan, Father Joseph Tannous is the rector of a school. He also celebrates Mass four days a week for his parish of approximately 1,200. "I try to organize my time in such a way that everything will fit in," said Father Tannous of his schedule. Both priests are married with families, as are around 50 percent of the Maronite priests in Lebanon. The married priesthood is a tradition that dates back to the early days of the Maronite Catholic Church, which traces its roots to fourth-century hermit St. Maron. Back then, about 90 percent of the priests were married.

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