Verified answer

Dear Joseph,

It may be, depending on the code of conduct set out by the church. If these priest are able to be married, it would not be an issue. It sounds like you don't trust the priest's motive. Why not ask him what he is doing and address your concern? Is your friend concerned? Do you like your friend and feeling a bit of jealousy? Dinner and a movie is a social thing--does it have to be a romantic thing? No. She does not have to be concerned if she knows her own boundaries and the intent of getting together. Man likes woman? Not a strange.

It is what you make of it in your own mind.

All the best.

I'm not Catholic, but that is not right. No clergy person should be calling or texting a recently separated woman. This smacks of grooming...all the concern is probably a front for his next move. If she is Catholic, she KNOWS that his behavior is suspect. He has NO BUSINESS inviting her to dinner or a movie. Priests do not DATE. DINNER and a movie is a DATE. She should cut all ties to him immediately. Several times a week texts and dinner invitations kinda sound like a bit of pre-stalking. She needs to talk to his superior at the local diocese since she is not his first victim. Sounds like he may be really good at taking advantage of women who are separated. I'm sure he has a variety of women to use and a variety of STORIES to use on them.

I would think she should be the one asking that question then. I'm not really versed in the rules behind being a priest but i'm pretty sure asking a woman who's separated and not yet divorced out for anything is inappropriate behavior. Especially for a priest.

she should be concerned. yes, it could simply be a friendly gesture, however his texting her several times during the week gives the appearance of a man who wants to be with a woman. keep in mind that although priests take a vow of celibacy, not all follow that rule to the letter.

It is normal. The priest in the church I go to is married and has kids.