Rochester, N.Y.— It’s rare but allowed. For the first time in Rochester history, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester has ordained a priest who is married.
Scott Caton of Spencerport is also a father of six children and a former Protestant minister.
Thirteen years ago he converted to Catholicism and in 2000 he approached Bishop Matthew Clark about being ordained.
For Caton, that began of a decade-long process of studying canon law, moral theology, and liturgy. He also did a year-long internship at the St. Joseph Parish in Penfield and served as a deacon at Rochester’s Blessed Sacrament Parish.
Caton’s hard work paid off. Last year, he got permission to be ordained from Pope Benedict XVI himself.
“It's been a journey that's been a blessed one and a long one,” says Caton.
Typically priesthood is reserved for single, celibate men, but in 1980 an exception to the rule was created to streamline the way Anglican priests got ordained into the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, requests for priesthood are handled on a case-by-case basis and the application needs to be reviewed by the pope.
“I think the Holy See recognized in Scott an extraordinary story of God's call and Scott's faithful response to that call over the years,” says Bishop Clark. “It gradually led him to fully be a member of our faith community in the Roman Catholic Church. Over time, it led him to seek ordination as a priest in circumstances that are extraordinary.”
On Saturday morning at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Caton was ordained. His five daughters, son and wife also participated in the ceremony.
“The ceremony was very beautiful,” says ordination attendee, Suzanne Stack. “To me, it shows that we are truly a universal church and while we have different, strong traditions, we’re not stuck in one mode. We do have various rites and expressions of our faith.”
Caton says he knows there will be some that are uncomfortable with his priesthood.
“The world is a big place and it's very diverse so I have to constantly discipline myself to remind myself that people think very differently from each other,” Caton says.
Still, within Rochester’s Catholic community, Caton says he’s received much support.
“People have asked me, ‘Well how do the priests feel?’ and I can honestly say that every single priest that I've had the honor to meet in this diocese over the years and especially this past year… every single one has been affirming and kind and encouraging to me,” says Caton.
Bishop Matthew Clark says he has decided to which parish Caton will be assigned, but has not yet made the announcement.
